Agenda item

River

Approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to condition 1 of MC/14/3631 for outline planning permission with all matters reserved for future consideration, except access, for demolition of existing buildings and structures and redevelopment for a mixed development of up to 253 apartments and houses and up to 339 sq.m (3,650 sq.ft) of Class A1 floorspace (as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended)) together with vehicular and pedestrian access, formal and informal public open space, hard and soft landscaping and associated services.

Plus an application for non-material amendment to planning permission MC/14/3631 to the main access design from Quayside and details pursuant to conditions 11, 12, 13, 21 & 28.

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the planning application in detail and drew attention to an amendment to the description of the development as set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet. He confirmed that the application was for 200 units which was a reduction on that originally proposed.

He suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, proposed conditions 1 and 2 be amended as set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

He also drew attention to additional representations received from the applicant, the Environment Agency, Kent County Council Ecological Advice Service and Southern Water since despatch of the agenda, details of which were summarised on the supplementary agenda advice sheet along with officer’s response where appropriate.

The Committee discussed the application and expressed disappointment concerning the design and scale of the apartments on the basin edge.

Whilst it was noted that the level of parking provision within the development met the Council’s approved parking standards, concern was expressed that the closed design of the garages may lead to them being utilised for storage thus resulting in cars being parked elsewhere within the development. It was therefore suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, an additional condition be imposed requiring the applicants to submit to the Local Planning Authority a Parking Management Strategy.

Decision:

Approved subject to condition 3 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report, conditions 1 and 2 amended as set out below and new condition 4 as follows:

1.         Under the heading 18th July 2017 amend drawing number 4179 PL 1000 revision F to read Drawing number 4179 PL 1000 revision L.

In addition, add:

- the following drawing numbers under the heading 18 July 2017: Drawing number(s): 4179 Pl 7105-02 Rev D’ 4179 Pl 4200-02 Rev G; and 4179 Pl 7204-02 Rev B; and

- the following additional plans and documents received on 25 August 2017: Drawing Numbers: 01-586-100 Rev F; 01-586-101 Rev E; 01-586-102 Rev F; 01-586-103 Rev E; 01-586-104 Rev E; 01-586-201 Rev D; 01-586-202 Rev E; and 01-586-300 Rev C; Documents ‘Design Code (Document Reference 4179 PL 0011 – Issue 5 (dated 18/08/2017)); Planting Strategy (Drawing references 01-586-301 Rev C - 01-586-307 Rev C (Inclusive)); Hardworks Strategy (Document Reference: 01-586-502); The L.E.A.P. (Locally Equipped Area of Play) Strategy (Document Reference: 01-586-600 Rev B); and The Landscape Implementation and Management Plan (Document Reference: 01-586-700 Rev B).

2.         Prior to construction proceeding above damp proof course level for any phase or sub-phase of the development, a design code for that phase or sub-phase of the development, which shall accord with the Design Code received by the Council on the 18 August, 2017, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by Local Planning Authority. The design code will accord with the principles established in the design guide submitted to the LPA with the reserved matters application and will be prepared in accordance with a content of components to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. Following the written approval of the design code by the Local Planning Authority, the development shall only be undertaken in accordance with that design code.

Reason: Specific design details, such as materials to be used, are vague. Therefore design details are required to ensure the satisfactory design and quality of the development. Such details are required to ensure compliance with paragraph 56 of the National Planning Policy Framework and saved Policies H4 and BNE1 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

4.         Prior to the first occupation of any part of the development, hereby approved, a Car Parking Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Car Parking Management Plan shall include: details of the management arrangements for communal parking areas within the site; the allocation of spaces to individual dwellings within the development, including the apartments; the provision of unallocated parking spaces for use by visitors; and the means by which use of the car parking spaces by non-residents will be controlled. The approved plan shall thereafter be implemented prior to first occupation of the development and maintained thereafter.

            Reason: To ensure that the car parking provision operates efficiently and effectively and is retained for use solely by residents and their visitors, in the interests of residential amenity and to accord with Policy BNE2 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.