Decision details

The Committee received a section 73 application.

 

The application sought approval to vary condition number 2 of permission 14/1252/FUL to permit revised cycle and bin storage locations, revised internal configurations and revised location of plant from the eastern elevation to the roof.

 

The Committee received representations in objection to the application from the following:

 

Representative of Petersfield Area Community Trust:

     i.        Objects to new plant equipment.

    ii.        Objects to new paths across open space.

   iii.        The area is dense and the limited open space is highly valued.

 

Resident of Edward Street:

     i.        Paths appear to be needed for future developments rather than current use.

    ii.        Applicant suggests paths are needed to make the building Disability Discrimination Act compliant however, disabled user groups say they are unnecessary.

   iii.        Intrusive appearance of the plant is unacceptable.

 

Julian Curry, Applicant’s Agent, Elizabeth Nantais and Guy Ballantyne of CSVPA addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Councillor Robertson, Cambridge City Council Ward Councillor addressed the Committee regarding the application and made the following points:

     i.        Concerned that the applicant had already completed all work.

    ii.        Does not respect the nature of a conservation area.

   iii.        Plans unacceptable.

  iv.        Photos taken in 2014 show nothing above the roof line.

   v.        Plant was now prominent and intrusive.

  vi.        Has appearance of a factory.

 

 

Councillor Hipkin proposed and Councillor Nethsingha seconded an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation (Recommendation 6) to read as follows:

 

Within 1 month from the date of the approval, details of a louvre screen enclosing all sides of the rooftop plant shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The details shall include elevations, material samples, and colour. The approved screen shall be installed no later than 3 months from the date of the discharge of the condition.

 

Reason: To ensure the appearance of the rooftop plant is screened from view and does not appear visually obtrusive within the Conservation Area. (Cambridge Local Plan 2006 policies 3/4, 3/14 and 4/11).

 

This amendment was lost by 5 votes to 3.

 

Councillor Blencowe proposed and Councillor Smart seconded deferring the application so that further information and visual images of the roof plant could be considered.

 

The Legal Advisor agreed that a deferral to allow the submission of further information would be appropriate,

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved to DEFER to allow submission of details of roof plant visual impact mitigation measures.