Issue - meetings

Councillor McQueen left after the vote on item 20/52/Plan.

 

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for the rebuild of the existing Tesco convenience store building (including part demolition, external works, and refurbishment) to provide the following:

·       Retail unit (use class A1).

·       8 x 1 bed residential units.

·       Reconfiguration of the car park and associated areas.

 

The Principal Planner updated his site plan from the version shown in the plans pack.

 

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of 6 Chalfont Close:

      i.          All objections related to the car park.

     ii.          Had no issue with the proposed housing.

   iii.          The proposed car park design would remove screening and enable significant overlooking of 6 Chalfont Close, by bringing people to the boundary <2.3 m from the house. This would allow views into the kitchen of 6 Chalfont Close.

   iv.          Reduced parking spaces would cause overflow onto side streets and the already limited parking at Chalfont Close.

    v.          The redesign of the car park to give apparent amenity (ie the small green space) reduced functionality, ultimately shifting parking into the surrounding residential streets.

 

Mr Bainton (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Councillor Ashton (Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

i.                He supported the scheme as did a majority of residents.

ii.               The Developer had been proactive in trying to keep residents informed of development.

iii.             Councillor Ashton has signposted residents to the Developer so their concerns could be addressed.

 

Councillor Dryden (Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

i.                Agreed with Councillor Ashton’s points.

ii.               Security of the car park would be improved as flats were located above it and could overlook it.

iii.             The streetscene would be better as a result of the application.

 

Councillor Smart proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation for landscaping at the entrance to the car park.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously.

 

Councillor Thornburrow proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation that a green roof be required, and that it should be maintained.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed amendments to the Officer’s recommendation for a:

i.                courtyard landscape plan.

ii.               buffer around car parking space 18.

 

This amendment was carried unanimously.

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved by all present (7 votes to 0) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the Officer recommendation for the reasons set out in the Officer’s report, subject to:

      i.          the planning conditions set out in the Officer’s report; [and]

     ii.          an additional condition requiring a green roof, and that it should be maintained in perpetuity.

[and]

   iii.          informatives included on the planning permission in respect of:

a.    landscaping at the entrance to the car park

b.    first floor external courtyard landscape plan

c.    buffer around car parking space 18

[and]

   iv.          Delegated powers for officers to finalise the wording of the new condition and informatives.