Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for demolition of existing community centre, shop and cafe and erection of new shop (use class A1), community cafe (use class A1/A3/D1), 28 affordable dwellings, car parking with modified vehicular access arrangements, open space, play equipment and new landscaping.

 

The Principal Planner updated his report by:

      i.          Amending Condition 46

 

Notwithstanding the plans hereby approved, all windows at first and second floor levels on the western elevation of Block A shall be fitted with obscure glass, and shall be non-openable to a height of 1.70m above the finished floor level of the rooms they serve.

 

Reason: To protect the amenity Of nearby properties. (Cambridge Local plan 2018 policy 36).

     ii.          Referring to pre-committee amendments on the amendment sheet.

 

An additional condition and informative in relation to archaeology are recommended, as follows:

 

Condition: No demolition/development shall commence until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has implemented a programme of archaeological work which has been secured in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (WSI) which has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. For land that is included within the WSI, no demolition/development shall take place other than under the provisions of the agreed WSI, which shall include:

 

a) the statement of significance and research objectives;

b) The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording and the nomination of a competent person(s) or organisation to undertake the agreed works;

c) The timetable for the field investigation as part of the development programme;

d) The programme and timetable for the analysis, publication & dissemination, and deposition of resulting material.

 

Reason: To ensure that an appropriate archaeological investigation of the site has been implemented before development commences.

 

Informative:

Partial discharge of the condition can be applied for once the fieldwork at Part c) has been completed to enable the commencement of development.

 

Part d) of the condition shall not be discharged until all elements have been fulfilled in accordance with the programme set out in the WSI.

 

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

      i.          In 2002 Labour Councillors prevented the closure of Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre by Liberal Democrat Councillors as result of a petition by residents.

     ii.          King’s Hedges needed its own community centre.

   iii.          Roosting bats would be disturbed by the loss of Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre.

 

Mr Digby (Applicant’s Representative) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Councillor Johnson (Executive Councillor and CIP Board Member) addressed the Committee about the application:

i.                In 2017 the City Council Community Centre Strategy deemed it appropriate to merge Buchan Street and the Meadows facilities.

ii.               This would allow the Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre site to be used for affordable housing.

iii.             There was high demand for housing in the city and house prices were high. As such there was significant demand for affordable housing.

iv.             The Buchan Street and the Meadows sites were linked.

v.              The Buchan Street site was key to the City Council delivering homes for residents in order to meet demand.

vi.             Homes would be M42 compliant and one property would be M43 compliant.

vii.           Other benefits the application would deliver were:

a.    Open/community and commercial space.

b.    Sustainable heating solutions for buildings eg photovoltaic panels.

c.    Electric vehicle charging points.

d.    It was an example of a bio-diverse and sustainable development.

 

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

i.                Supported the scheme as a Ward Councillor.

ii.               There had been some historic objections to redeveloping the site by residents due to fear of crime. This had been designed out as much as possible in the new application, the Police had raised no objections.

iii.             The site would deliver open space for the whole community.

iv.             In 2002 Labour Councillors objected to the closure of Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre as there was no provision of alternative facilities. There were now at The Meadows Centre. There would be no loss of facilities in the area as Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre would not be demolished until The Meadows Centre was open.

 

Councillor Porrer proposed amendments to the Officer’s recommendation:

                          i.          an amendment to the green roof condition requiring it to be maintained in perpetuity;

                         ii.          insertion of a post box informative (referenced in committee papers but not included in the Officer’s report).

 

The amendments were carried unanimously.

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved 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 prior completion of an Agreement under s106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

     ii.          the planning conditions set out in the Officer’s report, additional archaeology condition and informative as set out above, plus amendment to condition 46 as set out above;

   iii.          delegated authority to Officers to draft:

                          i.          an amendment to the green roof condition requiring it to be maintained in perpetuity;

                         ii.          insertion of an informative (referenced in committee papers but not included in the Officer’s report): It is acknowledged that there is a post box at present on the site which would be lost. Whilst this is not a planning consideration, the intention is for this to be replaced;

                       iii.          to review arrangements of bike store doors, in consultation with the Chair and Spokes.