Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

Councillor P.J Brock declared a personal interest as a Member of Devon County Council (Highway Authority).

Councillor Macdonald declared a personal interest as a Sustrans Volunteer Ranger.

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a Member of Devon County Council (Highway Authority).

The Development Manager presented the application for an extension to the store on the north elevation, roundabout and road access, relocation of petrol filling station with car wash and alterations to the car park at Morrisons Supermarket, Prince Charles Road, Exeter.

The Development Manager stated that the proposal comprised three main elements; the replacement of the existing access road into the store from Prince Charles Road with a new four-arm roundabout, one arm of which would lead to a smaller roundabout giving direct access into the store car park, and further access to retained Network Rail land including a replacement vehicular access into the allotments; relocation of the store's petrol filling station from its current position in front of the store to a position at the western end of the site on land that currently forms part of the store car park and former railway sidings, and associated changes to the store’s car park layout , increasing the number of spaces from 303 to 399; and a small extension to the north (front) elevation of the main store building to provide a dry cleaners.

Members were advised that the main objections to the proposal had been from the allotment holders regarding the impact of changing their pedestrian and vehicular access arrangements.  A revised plan had been submitted for a vehicle and pedestrian access which would be a fully surfaced five metre wide access. Condition 15 also required an additional pedestrian access to the allotments from Prince Charles Road.

Members were circulated with an update sheet referring to the revised plan for the replacement vehicular access; details of a further letter of objection on behalf of Prince Charles Road Allotment Association; a further report from the applicant’s ecologist regarding badger activity; comments from the Head of Environment Health Services and revised wording for condition 16.

The Development Manager advised that two further letters of objection had been received.

The recommendation was to approve the application subject to the conditions as set out in the report and the revised wording for condition 16 as per the update sheet.

In response to Members’ questions, the Development Manager stated that it was anticipated that the piece of land to the east of the allotments would be commercial development.

Councillor Hobden, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on this item. She raised the following points:-

·         having an allotment was now popular and the Council had a waiting list of residents requiring an allotment

·         the proposed changes to the access would affect the allotment holders

·         welcomed condition 15 regarding the pedestrian access but that it should be strengthened with the wording ‘as close as possible to the eastern edge’ after ‘provision of a new access’.

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107