Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for refurbishment of existing basement toilets and associated works to include the provision of a new guard rail to the basement stairs, and the erection of a replacement wheelchair accessible WC and kiosk (following demolition of the existing wheelchair accessible WC structure).

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of Merton Street:

      i.          This application differed little from the previous iteration. The same concerns remained.

     ii.          Trees would be pollarded and/or given a crown lift.

   iii.          There was no net gain in biodiversity.

   iv.          Grey water recycling facilities were inadequate.

    v.          It would be hard to clean and maintain the building.

   vi.          Fewer tourists were visiting the city so a building for masses of tourists was no longer required.

 vii.          The application failed to meet Local Plan policies.

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of Eltisley Avenue :

      i.          This building puts form above function, was wasteful and designed for mass tourism pre-pandemic; before the council recognised that we were in climate and biodiversity emergencies.

     ii.          Tourists would remember the ‘gateway to the city’. Please put facilities in an appropriate place so the city looked attractive to visitors.

   iii.          The building was not accessible, easy to maintain or truly sustainable, so failed to meet policies in the Local Plan and should be refused.

The Chair ruled the points to be made in a written statement by a resident of Ascham Road were not relevant to this application.

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

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 and subject to the conditions recommended by the Officer viz:

      i.          19/1167/FUL granted planning permission subject to the conditions; specified in the officer’s report  for the application; and

     ii.          19/1350/LBC granted listed building consent subject to the  conditions specified in the Officer’s report for the LBC application.