Agenda item

Gillingham South

Outline application with all matters reserved for demolition of existing warehouse and construction of a new development of 9 dwellings.

Discussion:

The Committee was reminded that this planning application had been the subject of a site visit on 29 March 2014 at which the Senior Planner had explained the proposed development and set out the issues that needed to be considered as they related to matters of principle, layout, amenity and access.

The applicant’s agent had commented upon the site’s allocation in the Local Plan.

A summary of the concerns raised by residents was outlined on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

At the conclusion of the site visit, the applicant had opened the warehouse building and the Senior Planner had gone inside with some residents. It had been established that the warehouse housed three cars in various states of repair and the interior was laid out like a vehicle repair garage.

It was suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve this application, proposed condition 11 be deleted and proposed condition 12 renumbered accordingly and two new conditions numbered 12 and 13 be approved, details of which were set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Committee discussed the planning application referring in particular to the width of the access road into the application site. The Principal Transport Planner confirmed that the access road into the site was sufficiently wide enough to enable a refuse vehicle or fire engine access and that such vehicles could turn and leave the site in a forward gear.

The Development Manager referred to the planning history of the application site and outlined the difference in this planning application as opposed to previous planning applications.

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 10 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and conditions 11 – 13 as set out below:

11.       The plans and particulars submitted in accordance with Condition 1 above shall include:

A plan showing the location of and allocating a reference number to each existing tree within the site with a stem diameter of 75mm or more, measured at 1.5m above the highest adjacent ground level and each tree with an estimated stem diameter of 75mm or more that overhang the site or are located beyond the site boundaries within a distance of up to 12 times their estimated stem diameter. For individual trees the crown spread shall be shown and for groups of trees the overall extent of the canopy shall be shown, and for all trees it shall be clear as to which are identified for retention or removal;

For all existing trees within the site with a stem diameter of 75mm or more, measured at 1.5m above the highest adjacent ground level and each tree with an estimated stem diameter of 75mm or more that overhang the site or are located beyond the site boundaries within a distance of up to 12 times their estimated stem diameter:

a) a tree survey

b) a tree constraints plan

c) an arboricultural impact assessment

d) a tree protection plan

e) arboricultural method statements

All of the above plans and particulars shall accord with the recommendations contained in British Standard 5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations, or any revision thereof.

Reason: Pursuant to condition 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and to protect and enhance the appearance and character of the site and locality, in accordance with Policy BNE1 and BNE6 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

12.       The details submitted pursuant to Condition 1 shall include a plan indicating the positions, design, materials and type of boundary treatment to be erected.  The boundary treatment shall be completed before any of the new dwellings are occupied and shall thereafter be retained.  Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the appearance of the development is satisfactory and without prejudice to conditions of visual amenity in the locality, in accordance with Policy BNE1 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

13.       The details submitted pursuant to Condition 1 shall include arrangements for the storage and collection of refuse, including provision for the storage and collection of recyclable materials.  Except with the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority, none of the new dwellings hereby approved shall be occupied until the approved refuse storage arrangements are in place and all approved storage arrangements shall thereafter be retained.

Reason:  In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure a satisfactory provision for refuse and recycling in accordance with Policy BNE2 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.