Agenda item

Rochester South and Horsted

Creation of a coach park with a new access from Curtis Way, together with entrance control equipment at the proposed access and associated landscaping, including a bund around the coach park.

Discussion:

The Head of Planning outlined the planning application in detail and suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, proposed conditions 2, 6 and 7 be amended as set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

In addition he drew attention to an amendment to the proposal and planning appraisal sections of the report, details of which were also set out on the  supplementary agenda advice sheet.

He reported the receipt of one further letter of representation expressing concern that some trees had been removed from the site.

In addition, the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) had written and expressed a number of concerns relating to the proposed location of the coach park, details of which were summarised on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Head of Planning reminded the Committee that when the Council had approved the redevelopment of Rochester Riverside, such development was conditional upon the provision of a new coach park. He advised that extensive investigations had been undertaken into identifying possible alternative sites, most of which had been considered unacceptable and the outcome had resulted in the current planning application. Although the proposal would result in the loss of some public open space, the development would lead to some enhancement of the remaining open space.

He stated that although the site was close to residential properties, it was located as far away as possible and it was considered that any impact upon residents would be negated by the provision of landscaping and restricted hours of use.

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

·         Although the site was now no longer to be operational for 24 hours, the hours of use had not been reduced sufficiently and were not in line with the hours of use of the coach park located at the Visitor Information Centre in Rochester.

·         There is no footpath provision into and out of the site.

·         The play area could benefit from refurbishment and this development has not included provision for this work.

·         There is a lack of provision on site for coach drivers.

The Committee discussed the application and in response to questions concerning the hours of operation, the Head of Planning explained the reason for the hours requested but stated that he considered it would be acceptable for the hours of access to and from the coach park to be amended to start at 07.00 as opposed to 06.00.

Members questioned whether it was possible to change the hours at the end of the day so as to be earlier than 22.30 and the Head of Planning advised that this matter would require discussion with the applicant.

In response to concerns relating to the lack of a footpath, the Principal Transport Planner advised that it was intended that a footpath would be provided but that this had not formed part of the planning application.

In response to the concerns as to the lack of facilities for coach drivers, it was noted that there were several locations close to the coach park, including a large supermarket where coach drivers would be able to acquire drinks, food and use facilities.

Decision: 

Approved with:

a)            Conditions 1, 3 - 5, 8 - 11 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and conditions 2, 6, 7 amended as follows and 12 amended as set out in b) below:

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

- 9T078/CW/130/01 rev 01 (site location plan);

- 'Extent of Medway council Freehold Ownership' plan (no plan number but shows red and blue lines);

- 9T078/CW/120/01 rev 01 (existing site layout);

- 9T078/CW/110/01 rev 01 (proposed site layout);

- D001 rev * (existing site sections);

- D002 rev * (proposed site sections);

- CW-001 rev A (proposed planting plan);

- Top junction drawing on drawing no. 9T078/CW/110/02 rev 02;

- ENG-001-01 rev A (Bollard detail sheet)

 - 03/0857 rev F (A229 City Way/Marconi Way - proposed modifications);

- Technical sheets for the Traffic light, control cabinet and bollards, received on 8 January 2019;

- photographs of entrance 'traffic light', bollards and control cabinet, all received on 8 January 2019;

- AT Access technical sheet for bollards also both received on 8 January 2019.

6.         Prior to the first operation of the coach park hereby approved the package of highway works to Curtis Way, including the strengthening of the highway carriageway if required, as detailed in the 'Transport Statement 02' and the relocation of the existing height restriction barrier and installation of highway waiting restrictions, as shown on drawing 9T0768/CW/110/01 rev 01 shall be completed and retained as such thereafter.

7.         Prior to first operation of the coach park hereby permitted the earth bund shown on landscape drawing CW-001 rev A (proposed planting plan) shall be constructed in accordance with the section drawing shown on that drawing.  The soft landscaping of the bund shall take place in accordance with the implementation details shown on drawing CW-001 (proposed planting plan) within the first planting season following the construction of the bund and the ongoing maintenance of the soft landscaping shall take place in accordance with the maintenance details shown on drawing CW-001 (proposed planting plan).

b)            Condition 12 with access into the coach park being amended to state 07.00 hours start and with the Head of Planning being granted delegated authority in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and opposition spokesperson to agree the hours that access to the site shall cease (currently set at 22.30 hours) with a view to this being earlier if possible. In the event that a time cannot be unanimously agreed, the planning application be deferred and resubmitted to the Committee for determination.