Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meetings held on 5 December 2011, 16 January 2012 and 30 January 2012.

The minutes of the meetings held on 5 December 2011, 16 January 2012 and 30 January 2012  were taken as read and signed by the Chair as correct.

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare personal and prejudicial interests, including the nature and extent of such interests, in relation to business on the agenda, before any discussion takes place on the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

Members declared the following personal interests:-

Members congratulated the Design team on winning the Urban Design Award in the Public Sector Category for the Residential Design SPD at the Urban Design Group Awards in London.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor P.J.Brock declared a personal interest as a member of Devon County Council.

Councillor Macdonald declared a personal interest as a Sustrans Volunteer Ranger and a member of the RSPB.

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a member of Devon County Council.

Councillor Sutton declared a personal interest as a School Governor at St James School.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for residential development of 230 units and care home of 72 beds with roads, open space, landscaping and infrastructure, all following phased demolition of existing buildings at former Ibstock Brickworks Site, land off Harrington Lane, Exeter.

He advised Members that the site covered approximately 9.7 hectares and comprised the former Ibstock Brickworks plant, a former quarry/landfill site and a field.  There was an area of land immediately adjoining the site which was used for storage of plant and machinery. 

The application was for the erection of 230 residential units, a 72-bed care home, open space provision and associated infrastructure works following demolition of the existing building. The style of the dwellings was based on the Arts and Crafts/Garden suburb style with five landscape character areas. The affordable housing on the site would be 70% social rented and 30% shared ownership although final details of the position and mix had yet to be agreed. The scheme’s internal highway arrangement provided options to extend into the adjoining Eastern Fields to provide a link through to Exhibition Way.

The Assistant Director City Development outlined the main issues of the loss of employment land; access, traffic and the link road through to Exhibition Way; design of the scheme; former use of the part of the land as landfill; open space and wildlife; and Section 106 issues.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of 16 additional representations received; additional advice from Head of Environmental Health Services; issues raised by the applicant in response to the committee report; amendments to conditions and an additional condition regarding care home phasing. Members were also advised that one further letter of objection had been received.

The recommendation was delegated to the Assistant Director City Development in consultation with Chair of Planning toapprove subject to the agreement of the arrangements for provision of affordable housing, satisfactory additional negotiations and information to improve the Building for Life score and investigation of a footpath link through to the footpath/cycleway alongside the railway line (including receipt of satisfactory amended plans, reconsultation with neighbours if necessary andconsideration of any representations received), a Section 106 Agreement as detailed in the report and the conditions as set out in the report with amendments and an additional condition as per the update sheet.

In answer to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director City Development clarified the following:-

• part of the negotiations with the developer would include increasing the Building for Life score
• officers worked with developers to resolve issues before applications come to Members; often the final affordable housing mix and position was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Development Manager presented the application for construction of a 120-bed hotel, offices, cafe/restaurant and basement parking on two levels at land to the east of Dean Clarke House, Southernhay East, Exeter.

Members were advised that the proposal comprised two phases. The first building phase located on the part of the site closest to Dean Clarke House proposed a 120 bed hotel over six floors with coffee shop, restaurant and bar and an office on the ground floor. This building and the Phase 2 of the development would have access to two levels of basement car parking containing a total of 167 car parking spaces which would operate on a pay and display basis. This car park was also available for general public use. The second building phase was located closest to the existing courts building and comprised a five storey office of 1,760 sq metres.  Because of the economic climate and the low demand for office space within the City at the present time, it was proposed to landscape the site of the proposed office building for the interim period before demand increased and it was viable to build the office building.

The Development Manager advised on the main issues of the use of site for a hotel and office as opposed to solely office use and the design of the building, in particular, its relationship with the adjacent listed building of Dean Clarke House.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of an email submitted by the agent in response to concerns raised by the Courts Service and amendments to the conditions.

The recommendation was delegated to Assistant Director City Development to approve in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee subject to the receipt of comments from English Heritage, agreement on the materials for the cladding or alternative design, and the conditions as set out in the report and amended conditions as per the update sheet.

In response to Members, the Development Manager clarified the position with regards to the need for additional hotel rooms within the budget to medium price range; the landscaping scheme on the site of phase 2 was of a good quality; this application was not considering any signage for the hotel; the Highways Authority would be consulted on the management plan for the construction phase; any fire exit issues would be regulated by building regulations; it was proposed that the materials for the cladding be delegated to the Assistant Director City Development in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee to approve; and the car park would be a public car park.

Mr Rocke (agent) spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• were economic benefits - £11m capital construction value; phase one would produce 70 permanent jobs and 73 constructions jobs
• economic contribution of £2.14 million from jobs
• generate 42,000 plus additional visitors to Exeter per annum
• business rate receipt for the Council of £145,000
• proposals compliant with PPS4 and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the planning application and listed building consent for change of use and alterations from offices to 24 flats and 6 office suites at Dean Clarke House, Southernhay East, Exeter.

Members were advised of the planning history and that the building had been empty for four years and was deteriorating rapidly. This proposed scheme now sought to preserve the board room on the ground floor in office use. There would be five, two bed, affordable units on the ground floor which would be wheelchair accessible. The planning permission was for a period of one year only to encourage development to be brought forward as soon as possible.

The recommendation was delegated to the Assistant Director City Development to approve the planning application subject to agreeing a change in levels to the rear, the completion of a Section 106 Agreement in respect of affordable housing and a financial contribution to Natura 2000 of £8,400 (24 units x £350) and the conditions as set out in the report. The recommendation for the listed building consent was to approve subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Professor Wigginton (architect) spoke in support of the applications. He raised the following points:-

• been working on this project since 2006
• market not right for purely office use
• worked closely with officers
• had been a large and difficult project
• the building was destroyed by the NHS
• a boutique hotel was not viable
• the building was in terrible state and would like to get started as soon as possible.

RESEOLVED that planning permission for change of use from offices to 24 flats and 6 office suites bedelegated to the Assistant Director City Development to approve subject agreeing a change to levels to the rear, the completion of a Section 106 Agreement in respect of affordable housing, a financial contribution to Natura 2000 of £8,400 (24 units x £350) and the following conditions:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a student landlord.

The Development Manager presented the application for variation of condition 2 to allow for change of use of six store rooms to student accommodation (Ref: 11/0140/03 approved 31/08/2011) at James Townsend Printers, Western Way, Exeter.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Whilst the majority of Members supported the application some raised concerns at this loss of valuable storage space for the students.

RESEOLVED that planning permission for variation of condition 2 to allow for change of use of 6 store rooms to student accommodation (Ref: 11/0140/03 approved 31/08/2011) be approved subject to the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for a ground floor extension on the south elevation of annexe, decking, double and single gate on north east boundary at 16 Thornton Hill, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details that the applicant had confirmed that the annexe would be used by her elderly and registered disabled mother and that amended drawings had been submitted showing the amended floor plan without the designated kitchen area.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESEOLVED that planning permission for a ground floor extension on south elevation of annexe, decking, double and single gate on north east boundary be approved subject to the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for works to trees subject to a preservation order at Ibstock Brickworks, Chancel Lane, Exeter. This application was for the removal of scrub and crown lifting of all trees to 1.5m above ground level.  The justification was to give access to gas monitoring points within the area, some of which could not be found. Environmental Health Services and the Tree Officer had no objections.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

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

• representing the residents of Chancel Lane
• the trees provided a valuable screen for residents and if the trees were removed then their residential amenity would change.

The Assistant Director City Development clarified that the trees would be crown lifted to a height of 1.5 metres to allow for location of monitoring points for the methane gas in order that further work could be undertaken on the options to deal with the gas.

The Assistant Director City Development stated he would advise local residents of the decision and the reasons why the works were being undertaken on the trees.

RESOLVED that the application for works to trees with a preservation order to lift all trees to 1.5m above ground level beapproved subject to the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the buildings at risk report. He stated that he had been advised that the project for a hotel at Thomas Hall was no longer thought to be viable.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the report updating Members on enforcement matters.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 6 March 2012 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Macdonald, Mrs J Morrish and Spackman.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 6 March 2012  at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will beMacdonald, Mrs Morrish and Spackman.