Agenda item

River

Construction of a 4 storey building for use as a University Technical College (UTC) for 600 students together with external multi use games area, associated parking and landscaping. 

Discussion:

The Head of Planning outlined the planning application and drew attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet which set out representations received since despatch of the agenda from Southern Gas Networks, Southern Water and the Health and Safety Executive, along with the Officers response to the points raised.

It was noted that the Health and Safety Executive had confirmed that if approved, it was no longer necessary for the application to be referred to it following the revocation of the Hazardous Substance Consent relating to Sherlodge Gases which had previously occupied the site.

The Head of Planning suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, recommendation A on page 36 of the agenda be deleted and the remaining recommendations be renumbered, proposed conditions 2 and 8 be amended and new conditions 14 and 15 be approved, details of which were set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

During discussion on this application, a member referred to the loss of the netted trees on a grass verge on Pier Road. The Head of Planning explained that as a result of the works required at the roundabout, it was always intended that these trees were to be removed. The trees had been netted so as to prevent birds nesting in them. He reassured the Member that once the works were completed, the trees would be replaced.

A member referred to the planning presentation undertaken by the applicants prior to submitting the planning application and questioned whether the current planning application included one or two lifts. It was confirmed that one lift was to be provided. In the light of this information, the member requested that the applicants be asked to provide adequate reassurance that the development provides suitable access for disabled persons across all floors of the development in the light of there being provision for only one lift.

 Decision:  

Approved subject to the imposition of conditions 1, 3 – 7, 9 – 13 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and amended conditions 2 and 8 and new conditions 14, 15 and 16 as set out below, with delegated authority being granted to the Head of Planning to make minor amendments to the wording of the conditions if considered to be necessary prior to the issuing of the planning permission:

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

            MED-MA-00-ZZ-DR-A-00150 Location Plan - S2 - P01

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00101 Site Plan - S2 - P08

            MED-MA-00-GF-DR-A-00102 Ground Floor Plan - S2 - P07

            MED-MA-00-01-DR-A-00103 First Floor Plan - S2 - P08

            MED-MA-00-02-DR-A-00104 Second Floor Plan - S2 - P07

            MED-MA-00-03-DR-A-00105 Third Floor Plan - S2 - P07

            MED-MA-00-R1-DR-A-00107 Roof Plan - S2 - P02

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00108 Boundary Treatments Plan - S2 - P03

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00121 Elevations 01 - S2 - P10

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00122 Elevations 02 - S2 - P10

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00131 Sections AA - S2 - P05

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00132 Sections BB - S2 - P05

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00133 Sections CC & DD - S2 - P05

            MED-MA-00-XX-DR-A-00141 Site Section - S2 - P02

MED-MA-00-ZZ-DR-A-25113 Sports Hall External Clad Corner-D1-P01

MED-MA-00-ZZ-DR-A-25190 Elevation Bay Detail-D1-P02

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

8.         If unexpected contamination is found after development has begun, development must be halted on that part of the site affected by the unexpected contamination and it must be reported in writing immediately to the Local Planning Authority.  An investigation and risk assessment must be undertaken, and where remediation is necessary a remediation scheme must be prepared which is subject to the approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Following completion of the measures identified in the approved remediation scheme a verification report providing details of the data that will be collected in order to demonstrate that the works set out are complete and identifying any requirements for longer-term monitoring of pollutant linkages, maintenance and arrangements for contingency action must be prepared, which is subject to the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the development is undertaken in a manner which acknowledges interests of amenity and safety in accordance with Policy BNE23 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

14.       No development shall take place until a Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The CoCP shall contain details on how noise, dust, air quality, hours of operation and lighting will be handled during the construction phase of the development. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of the amenities of nearby properties in accordance with Policy BNE2 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

15.            Construction of the development shall not commence until details of the proposed means of foul water sewerage disposal have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with Southern Water. The details as approved shall be implemented prior to first occupation of the building and thereafter maintained

Reason: No such details have been submitted and in order to ensure that the site is appropriately drained.

16.       The applicant provide to the Local Planning Authority information as to ensuring suitable arrangements for disabled access into and within the building and, the Head of Planning be authorised to agree the specific wording of this condition with the Chairman and Vice Chairman outside of the meeting.