Agenda item

Strood South Ward 

Demolition of existing buildings and removal of underground tanks. Redevelopment of the existing Petrol Filling Station and surrounding land to provide up to a five-storey building to comprise 48 residential units (Use Class C3) with ground floor commercial space (Use Class E) to include amenity space, refuse and bicycle storage, landscaping and associated works. The proposal includes the redevelopment of the seven arches within the site comprising commercial space (Use Class E).

Councillor Gulvin returned to the meeting.

Discussion:

The Head of Planning outlined the application in detail and explained the reasons why the application was being recommended for approval. An additional condition, number 30, was added as set out in the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Head of Planning confirmed that following pre-application advice the developers had completely re-thought the application and reduced the height of the scheme.

The Committee considered the application noting that:

Many members of the Planning Committee had attended a presentation for this site and many of their concerns and questions had been answered. 

Members thought this scheme was well designed and would revitalise the area.

There was a concern regarding whether the Ward Councillors and adjacent Ward Councillors would be consulted regarding the utilisation of S106 monies.  The Head of Planning agreed to this.

The Head of Planning confirmed that although the pictures of the podium garden in the presentation were an artist’s impression of the trees, the latter would mature and a significant amount of planting would be established.

In response to concerns that residents may park in surrounding roads, the Head of Planning confirmed that residents would not be entitled to parking permits for surrounding roads but would have access to the car club which would be on site.  Future residents would be made aware whether they had a parking space or not as part of the car park management plan in Condition 25.

The Head of Planning confirmed that he would be happy to include in Condition 7 that the developer meets with nearby residents regularly to discuss the development during construction in order to mitigate any disturbance. 

Members suggested adding a condition that the vehicle access gate should be sufficiently inset to take the length of the vehicle so that there were no vehicles queuing on Cuxton Road.

Decision:

Approved subject to:

A)   the developer entering into a Section 106 agreement to secure:

i)        a minimum of 25% affordable housing (no less than 12 units)

ii)        the following contributions in accordance with Medway Council’s

Developer Contributions Guide 2021:

•         £12,051.36 toward Nursery provision

•         £4,131.00 toward Primary provision

•         £26,363.00 toward Secondary Provision

•         £1,939.02 toward Sixth form provision

•         £11,760.00 toward Public Realm improvements

•         £8,194.08 toward improved library facilities at Strood Library

•         £31,375.68 toward Medway Primary Care Network

•         £8,568.24 toward waste and recycling

•         £2,400.00 toward improvements of PROW improvements in the

immediate vicinity

•         £120,267.72 toward enhancement of open space facilities in the

vicinity of the development as well as outdoor sport and

allotments in Medway.

•         £6,329.88 toward Medway’s Metropolitan Park (Great Lines

Heritage Park)

•         £12,183.84 toward Habitats Regulations (mitigation for Wintering Birds - at £253.83 per dwelling)

B)   conditions 1-29 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

C)   an additional condition 30 as set out below:  

Condition 30:  The proposed access road running through the site shall be one way only with access off London Road and egress onto Cuxton Road.

Reason: To ensure that the access road is used in a safe manner which

has pedestrian safety as a priority and is compliant with Policy T1 of the

Medway Local Plan 2003.

D)   an additional condition regarding the location and operation of the vehicle access gate.