Agenda item

All Saints Ward

Construction of a temporary access road to facilitate access to the development approved under planning approval MC/24/0291.

Discussion:

The Service Manager - Development Management outlined the application in detail for the construction of a temporary access road to facilitate access to the development approved under planning approval MC/24/0291.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Spalding addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and raised the following concerns:

• The safety of the development entrance was discussed, at length, when the main planning application was determined by the Planning Committee and nothing was stated regarding this temporary access road or the road safety audit that had been provided by the Parish Council. 
• A Transport Technical report was received by the Parish Council confirming the dangers and concerns especially in the area by the roundabout.  The visibility splays did not consider any vehicles coming round the roundabout such as lorries.  That omission meant the applicants highway report was incomplete and could not be relied on.
• A covering letter from Esquire stated a temporary construction access would be required throughout construction so, why wasn’t that submitted with the original application.
• Materials coming in via Thamesport were often held up on site because of restrictive site movement capability.  Those materials had to be moved to another part of the site which cost money and time.
• Esquire want to put pedestrians, including the children who walk to school at risk.

The Committee discussed the planning application noting the points raised by the Ward Councillor and the Service Manager - Development Management confirmed this would be a new temporary access point for two years while construction took place.  The access that currently existed would remain and be used to serve the Zoo overflow carpark and the residential development as units completed and became occupied.  He explained that two years was the maximum amount that could be allowed, otherwise it would affect the provision of the biodiversity net gain and open space on the site as part of the approved development.  He suggested encouraging the applicant to complete the development as soon as possible and start the reinstatement of the area as quickly as practicable possible.

The Chief Planning Officer acknowledged that Members wanted a shorter amount of time for the temporary access point, however, the development may take longer than one year to complete but would be completed within 2 years.  This access point would accelerate the construction work causing less impact and upheaval on existing residents.  He confirmed that he would have regular meetings with the Parish Council and the Developer to discuss any issues.

The Chief Planning Officer explained that a safety report in relation to speeding had been undertaken by the Council.  In terms of another arm to the roundabout, this land was not available, and it was important to try and separate the access road for construction and the residents. 

Although Members suggested a deferral, the Chief Planning Officer advised that the fall back was to continue to use the existing main access.  The proposed temporary access would enable construction to take place quicker and safer and as it was a temporary construction access point, then once completed it would be closed and reverted to open space in accordance with the approved plans.

The Service Manager - Development Management confirmed the reason this planning application had taken 5 months to get to Committee was because it was a very considered decision.  Colleagues in highways had insisted on a full road safety audit which was unusual at this stage prior to consent being granted, it was usually completed as stage one.  The applicant had undertaken the road safety audit and our highways colleagues had assessed and agreed with the report. 

The Highways Consultant confirmed that the road safety audit had been done independently, not by Medway Council and as part of the process they undertook an automatic speed test and 85% of the traffic were travelling under 25mph. 

The Service Manager - Development Management advised that the proposed junction design, combined with the S278 works were proposed as part of the original consent and would ensure that this access would be safe to use.

Decision:      

Approved with conditions 1 to 4 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.