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Decision Maker: Planning
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The Committee received an application for
full planning permission.
The application sought approval for retrospective permission for the erection of a bike store.
The Committee noted that
the application was part retrospective with details of modifications to the
current building outlined in the amendment sheet.
The Committee received representations in objection to the application
from local residents. A representative of the West Cambridge Preservation
Society addressed the Committee on behalf of the Society and other local
objectors:
The representation covered the following issues:
i.
The cycle store was out of keeping with the
conservation area.
ii.
Building damages the street scene.
iii.
Had an adverse impact on the local landscape.
iv.
The aesthetic of the area was important.
v.
Application contravened Local Plan policies.
vi.
Green landscaping needed to be protected.
Joe Sanghera (Applicant) addressed the Committee in support of the
application.
Local residents addressed the Committee in support of the application.
Councillor Cantrill
sent a statement in support of the application.
Councillor Gehring
(Newnham Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee in support of the
application and made the following comments:
i.
The proposed design was sympathetic to the local
area.
ii.
Use of bicycles was to be encouraged and safe
storage of cargo bikes would be needed.
iii.
Cargo bikes had been shown to reduce car journeys.
iv.
Soft landscaping was important and the proposed greening
of this building was welcomed.
The Committee expressed
support for the application and suggested that the design was in keeping with
the area. It also responded to the Council’s policies regarding Climate Change.
The Chair reminded the
Committee of the policy test required for an application in a Conservation
Area: that they must improve and/or conserve the area.
The Committee suggested
that the existing building might have been approved without the proposed
revisions. It was noted that, should enforcement action be needed in the
future, the Committee would likely be consulted in advance of any such action.
The Committee:
Resolved (by 5 votes to 1) to reject the officer recommendation to refuse the application.
Unanimously resolved to grant the application for planning permission contrary to Officer recommendation, for the following reason:
The development, as amended, is considered to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Notwithstanding this, any harm would be mitigated by the benefits the development would bring in providing secure cycle storage for the property which is consistent with the Council’s policies on sustainability and climate change.
The description of the application would need to be modified to reflect the fact that the proposal is part retrospective and subject to the following conditions:
1. Approved drawings
2. Requirement for soft landscaping scheme
Report author: Mairead O'Sullivan
Publication date: 23/08/2019
Date of decision: 03/07/2019
Decided at meeting: 03/07/2019 - Planning
Accompanying Documents: