Agenda item

Planning application documents

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report, which related to the construction of two semi-detached dwellings, with associated off road parking and rear amenity space, on a piece of land to the front of the Crooks Industrial Estate off  Croft Street in Leckhampton, currently used for car parking.  The application was before committee due to neighbouring concerns and an objection from the Architect’s Panel and at the request of Cllr Cooke.

A member noted that the access shown on plan covered private ground and asked whether the access would be permanent. The Senior Planning Officer responded that there was a condition attached requiring parking and turning space to remain available, and that taking this away would breach contract. A further question queried whether there would be space within the site for the people who were currently parking there, otherwise cars might end up parking on the road. The Senior Planning Officer responded that tenants had been offered alternative parking elsewhere within the industrial estate.

A member asked why the highways department was now in favour of the application, having previously objected to it. Matthew Prince (Gloucestershire Highways) responded that this was due to the re-alignment and proper provision of off-street parking, making it no longer a hindrance or safety issue for pedestrians.

Another member asked whether the Office Works building already there would be retained. The Senior Planning Officer clarified that they would.  In answer to a further question on car parking, the site plan was shown to indicate where any additional parking requirements would be absorbed.

During the debate, the following points were made:

·         Acknowledgement that the parking issue was a drawback, but a suggestion that members should go ahead with the assurances given and that it could be effectively addressed, considering the amount of space on the site.

·         Comments from a tenant were cited, who raised doubts about the viability of the industrial site if this development did not go ahead and pointed out the employment benefits it would bring.  It was felt that the new development design enhanced the street scene.

·         The proposal was imaginative and well-designed and it was good to see new residential accommodation in a nice part of the town. Town centre housing was badly needed and would have the additional benefits of reducing travel and boosting the local economy.

·         The local ward councillor had received an unusually large number of emails from concerned residents, considering the relative size of the development, and suggested attaching conditions to reduce the impact on local amenities, such as the provision of parking for all residents who currently parked there. The Senior Planning Officer advised that a condition along those lines would be unsuitable as it was private land, which could be closed at any time if the owner saw fit.

·         A couple of members stressed that the committee should not prioritise the needs of those who had been parking for free on private land for a long time, and that it was not as though a public car park was being shut down.

·         One member felt the hedge added nothing in terms of biodiversity, however another disagreed, suggesting that the hedge offered an added layer of a security for cars parked behind it.

There being no further comments or questions the Chair moved to vote on the Officer’s recommendation to permit.

For: 10

Against: 0

Abstain: 1

GRANTED