Agenda item

The Committee received two applications, namely 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL for the demolition of existing buildings and substructures and the erection of a research and development building (Use Class E) with basement levels for car parking and building services, associated landscaping, cycle parking, infrastructure works and plant.

 

The Principal Planner updated their report by referring to the amendments contained in Amendment Sheet regarding:

i.               the removal of the reference to cycle parking in the basement in the description of the development for both applications;

ii.             amendment to text in paragraph 13.11 of the Officer’s report; and

iii.            amendments to conditions 20 (green roofs) and 36 (bird and bat boxes) for both applications.

 

The Principal Planner also verbally updated their report to correct condition 35 (water conservation) for both applications so that it read:

‘Prior to occupation of the building, or any phase or part therein, all of the fittings and fixtures and water recycling measures for that building as outlined in the Water Conservation Strategy (VTR-BH-XX-DN-P-00001 dated 30 August 2023) shall be installed and be functional. The water recycling measures shall thereafter be maintained for the lifetime of the building.

 

Reason: To ensure the development does not harm water supply (South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) Policy CC/1/Cambridge Local Plan (2018) Policy 28)

 

Adam Wlodarczyk-Black (Applicant’s Representative) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

The Principal Planner and Strategic Sites Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         The Applicant had provided a lot of information about measures which would be put in place to reduce water consumption which included design elements, fixtures and fittings to be used, rainwater and grey water recycling. The amended condition 35 required compliance with the submitted Water Conservation Strategy.

    ii.         Condition 14 (landscaping) would be amended to require any replacement trees to be maintained for a 5-year period following replacement.

   iii.         The species of the feature tree would need to be agreed through the hard and soft landscaping condition.

  iv.         The planting on the upper levels of the building would be managed through the landscaping condition and building management plan.

    v.         Noted that the building would protrude closer to the tree buffer, necessitating tree removal. However, replacement planting would include larger and semi-mature trees which would help with screening the building.

  vi.         A condition was recommended regarding the detail of the cycle parking.

 vii.         The Infrastructure Development Plan did not have carry any weight in the planning balance as it had not yet been put out to any public consultation. The County Council had suggested transport mitigation based on the current proposal.

viii.         The development would not be dependent on the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Works.

  ix.         Agreed to add reference to car clubs and pool bikes within condition 29 as modes of alternative sustainable travel arrangements.

    x.         Noted concerns about EV charging - but this would be picked up through Building Regulation approvals.

  xi.         Agreed that an informative could be added to flag up the desirability for the provision of a minibus service for employees from the Milton Park and Ride.

 xii.         The s106 Agreement would be drafted on the basis of the Head of Terms included within the Officer’s report.

xiii.         The financial contribution which the s106 Agreement captures is to go towards ‘additional parking restrictions in the surrounding area’ for £10,000 detailed in table 4 paragraph 22.6 of the Officer’s report was to implement yellow lines within 1km of the site. This was different to residents’ / controlled parking zones. Members expressed concerns about the adequacy of the parking restrictions contribution due to the potential for the development to result in displaced parking. The Principal Transport Officer stated that Members’ concerns could be addressed through an increase of £5000 to the contribution.  

xiv.         Noted the financial contribution to strategic transport detailed as ‘To Be Confirmed’ in table 4 paragraph 22.6 of the Officer’s report was required as a contribution to the Greater Cambridge Partnership Waterbeach Greenway costs. 

xv.         Confirmed that access to the car park was via a two-way ramp.

 

The Strategic Sites Manager offered the following summary of amendments to the Officer’s recommendation for both planning applications reflecting Members’ debate during the meeting:

        i.       the amendments detailed in the Amendment Sheet;

      ii.        the verbal revision to condition 35 (water conservation) so that it read: ‘Prior to occupation of the building, or any phase or part therein, all of the fittings and fixtures and water recycling measures for that building as outlined in the Water Conservation Strategy (VTR-BH-XX-DN-P-00001 dated 30 August 2023) shall be installed and be functional. The water recycling measures shall thereafter be maintained for the lifetime of the building;

Reason: To ensure the development does not harm water supply (South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) Policy CC/1/Cambridge Local Plan (2018) Policy 28);

    iii.        an amendment to condition 14 (hard and soft landscaping) to include a requirement for any replacement trees to benefit from a 5-year protection following replacement;

    iv.       an amendment to condition 29 (Travel Plan) to include reference to car clubs and pool bikes;

      v.       an additional informative to encourage the desirability for the provision of a minibus service from Cambridge North Station to the site;

    vi.       update to the s106 Agreement (table 4 within paragraph 22.6 of the Officer’s report) to review the Heads of Terms to secure an increase in the sum required for additional parking restrictions in the surrounding area to £15,000 (which includes the further £5000 uplift) in response to concerns raised by members regarding the potential for the development to result in displaced parking.  

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (by 9 votes to 1) to grant application 23/01487/FUL for planning permission in accordance with the Officer recommendation set out in paragraph 25.1 of the Officer’s report, for the reasons set out in the Officer’s report, subject to:

i.               the amendments detailed in the Amendment Sheet;

ii.             the conditions and informatives as detailed in section 26 of the Officer’s report [as amended by iii, iv, v and vi below], with delegated authority to Officers to carry through minor amendments to those conditions and informatives (and to include others considered as appropriate and necessary) prior to the issuing of the planning permission

iii.            the amendment to condition 35 (water conservation) so that it read: ‘Prior to occupation of the building, or any phase or part therein, all of the fittings and fixtures and water recycling measures for that building as outlined in the Water Conservation Strategy (VTR-BH-XX-DN-P-00001 dated 30 August 2023) shall be installed and be functional. The water recycling measures shall thereafter be maintained for the lifetime of the building;

Reason: To ensure the development does not harm water supply (South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) Policy CC/1/Cambridge Local Plan (2018) Policy 28);

iv.           an amendment to condition 14 (hard and soft landscaping) to include a requirement for any replacement trees to benefit from a 5-year protection following any re-planting;

v.             an amendment to condition 29 (Travel Plan) to include reference to car clubs and pool bikes;

vi.           an additional informative to encourage the provision of a minibus service to the site; and

vii.          the prior completion of a s106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, with delegated authority to Officers to negotiate, settle and complete such an Agreement as referenced in the Heads of Terms within this report as amended at Committee to secure an increase in the sum required for additional parking restrictions in the surrounding area to £15,000 (table 4 within paragraph 22.6 of the Officer’s report) including any other planning obligations considered appropriate and necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

 

Resolved (by 9 votes to 1) to grant application 23/01509/FUL for planning permission in accordance with the Officer recommendation set out in paragraph 25.2 of the Officer’s report, for the reasons set out in the Officer’s report, and subject to:

i.               the amendments detailed in the Amendment Sheet;

ii.             the conditions and informatives as detailed in section 27 of the Officer’s report [as amended by iii, iv, v and vi below], with delegated authority to Officers to carry through minor amendments to those conditions and informatives (and to include others considered as appropriate and necessary) prior to the issuing of the planning permission

iii.            the amendment to condition 35 (water conservation) so that it read: ‘Prior to occupation of the building, or any phase or part therein, all of the fittings and fixtures and water recycling measures for that building as outlined in the Water Conservation Strategy (VTR-BH-XX-DN-P-00001 dated 30 August 2023) shall be installed and be functional. The water recycling measures shall thereafter be maintained for the lifetime of the building;

Reason: To ensure the development does not harm water supply (South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018) Policy CC/1/Cambridge Local Plan (2018) Policy 28);

iv.           an amendment to condition 14 (hard and soft landscaping) to include a requirement for any replacement trees to benefit from a 5-year protection following any re-planting;

v.             an amendment to condition 29  (Travel Plan) to be updated to include reference to car clubs and pool bikes;

vi.           an additional informative to encourage the provision of a minibus service to the site;

vii.          the prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, with delegated authority to officers to negotiate, settle and complete such an Agreement as referenced in the Heads of Terms within this report as amended at Committee to secure an increase in the sum required for additional parking restrictions in the surrounding area to £15,000 (table 4 within paragraph 22.6 of the Officer’s report) including any other planning obligations considered appropriate and necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.