Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Assistant Director City Development and the Principal Project Manager (Development) gave a joint presentation on this and the next application in respect of 31-35 Old Tiverton Road (Min. No. 10 refers) as the two were closely linked. Similarly, the speeches of the Councillors speaking under Standing Orders as well as those of the public speakers covered both applications.

The Assistant Director City Development and the Principal Project Manager (Development) presented the application for the demolition of the existing grandstand and replacement with new Well Street grandstand and away stand with associated spectator facilities; improved facilities for players/managers/referees under the main stand and new facilities for Big Bank stand; removal of car storage and existing buildings and replacement with new purpose built student accommodation blocks up to a maximum height of 6 storeys comprising 312 cluster/studio/disabled rooms with associated facilities including parking, cycle storage, landscaping, new internal road and pedestrian access between 20 & 21 Old Tiverton Road and change of use of 20 Old Tiverton Road to six student rooms with associated shared facilities.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes together with an additional update (also attached) provided by the applicant in response to the issues raised by the St. James Neighbourhood Forum.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) described in detail the sites and applications and advised that the total number of representations in favour of both applications was 1,765 and that the number who had expressed their opposition was 130.

The Assistant Director City Development covered the planning policy background to the applications and explained the issues relating to student accommodation in general and the implications for the area adjacent to the football ground and the wider St. James community. He stated that no other viable development proposals had come forward for the site, that the applications were an acceptable option for the site when considered against the development plan as a whole and the material considerations. They would secure the vitality and viability of the Football Club. He referred to two specific policy conflicts that of community balance within the St. James area (SD1(d)) and the proposal for the change of use of 20 Old Tiverton Road.

The St. James Neighbourhood Plan looked to provide a better community balance in SD1 (d) diverse population and a mixed community and the development would lead to a greater imbalance in the community. The Assistant Director emphasised that Policy SD1 did not specify particular uses for the site and did not identify Purpose Built Student Accommodation as an unacceptable use for this site. The applicants had contended that the development of purpose-built accommodation would lower the demand for HMOs and allow for certain HMOs to be returned to family accommodation, consequently improving the community balance of the existing housing stock. This could not be guaranteed due to the future growth of the University and convenience of the ward for students.

With regard to the proposed change of use of 20 Old Tiverton Road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Assistant Director City Development and the Principal Project Manager (Development) presented the application for the demolition of existing structures and erection of new three storey building comprising ground floor retail use and student accommodation for nine studio flats with associated vehicular/cycle parking and bin storage.

Details of their presentations, together with the views of the two Councillors speaking under Standing Orders and those of the public speakers are set out in Min. No. 9 above.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes together with an additional update (also attached) provided by the applicant in response to the issues raised by the St. James Neighbourhood Forum.

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

RESOLVED that, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in respect of a Student Management Plan, the Assistant Director of City Development in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee be authorised to APPROVE planning permission for the demolition of existing structures and erection of new three storey building comprising ground floor retail use and student accommodation for nine studio flats with associated vehicular/cycle parking and bin storage, subject also to the following conditions:-

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 1 March 2016 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Denham, Buswell and Williams.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 1 March 2016 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Denham, Buswell and Lyons.