Agenda item

Gillingham North

Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide 22 residential apartments alongside associated parking, access and infrastructure works. 

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the planning application in detail. He suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, proposed condition 18 be deleted and conditions 19 and 20 be re-numbered. He also drew attention to a change to the proposal section of the report and one further letter of objection received since despatch of the agenda, details of which were set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

He advised that since despatch of the agenda the National  Planning Policy Framework has been revised.  The application had been re-assessed against paragraphs 11d, 56, 59, 105, 108, 124, 127, 170, 175, 176, 178, 180, 181 and 190 and there was no change to the recommendation as set out in the report.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Price addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and outlined the concerns of residents, which included:

·         The proposed development is out of keeping with the character of the area which is in the heart of historic Gillingham

·         The proposed development will provide blocks of apartments which will result in the occupiers of the apartments having a direct view into the rooms and rear gardens of properties in Grange Road and Gillingham Green.

·         Lack of security for properties in Grange Road and Gillingham Green owing to the provision of a low level fence.

·         The area is within a Conservation area and the proposed development constitutes backland development.

·         The proposed development is located on a brow of a hill and therefore the sight lines for drivers of vehicles leaving the site will be affected which could create a hazard as the application site is in close proximity to Saxon Way Primary School.

·         The proposed development does not provide a sufficient level of parking for residents particularly taking into account that occupiers of the 2 bed apartments may have 2 vehicles. This will exacerbate the existing problems of on-street parking in surrounding roads. There is also no provision for visitor parking. Parking is already at a premium on local roads especially on days when Gillingham Football Club have home matches.

·         Ingram Road is a very busy road with queuing traffic when the Railway Level Crossing is down and the additional vehicular movements arising from this development will exacerbate the problem. In addition, Ingram Road is on a bus route.

·         The site has previously been identified for housing or a GP Surgery and residents would like the Committee to undertake a site visit prior to determining the planning application.

·         Medway Council has installed plaques for landmark buildings, one of which is the St Mary Magdalene Church and the proposed development will obscure the views of this Church.

·         The site is more suited to a development of bungalows or 2 storey housing.

The Committee discussed the report having regard to the current use of the site, the proposed development and the concerns expressed by the Ward Councillor.

A number of Members expressed concern as to the effect that the proposed development would have upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the potential overlooking from the apartments into the houses and gardens in Grange Road and Gillingham Green. There were also concerns as to the loss of security to properties in Grange Road and Gillingham Green. Whilst it was accepted that the site had been designated for housing, it was generally considered that the proposed development was too large and intrusive and would dominate the Conservation Area.

Members also expressed concern about the impact that the proposed development would have upon parking in surrounding roads where residents were reliant on on-street parking.

The Committee did not consider that it was necessary to undertake a site visit.

Following discussion, it was generally considered that the application should be deferred to enable officers to undertake further discussions with the applicant with a view to seeking a smaller scheme and an increased level of parking provision.

Decision: 

Consideration of the application be deferred to enable officers to undertake further discussions with the applicant on parking issues and to obtain more survey information from the applicant.