Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (HS) presented the revised scheme for demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment to provide student accommodation (Sui Generis), ancillary facilities, and ground floor uses in classes A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants and cafes), A4 (drinking establishments), D1 (non-residential institutions) and D2 (assembly and leisure), with cycle parking provision and public realm improvements.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes. The Principal Project Manager (Development) (HS) reported that the revisions to the scheme would also affect the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and New Homes Bonus (NHB) that the City Council receives.New Homes Bonus that would be paid to Exeter City Council on the revised scheme was £211,868.86 per year currently paid for six years which would total £1,271,213.10. The Community Infrastructure Levy Payable on the revised scheme would be £947,888.36. He also advised that the suggested condition 2 would be amended to list the approved plans.

Ms Goddard spoke against the application. She raised the following points:-

·         represent the Deltic Group as General Manager of Unit 1;

·         Deltic Group has operated this very successful late-night leisure venue since June 2007. The venue opens between 10pm until 2.30am Mondays to Thursdays and 10pm to 3.30am on Friday and Saturdays. It has a capacity of 850 people and the site has operated as a licensed venue since before 2000. Believe Unit 1 is Exeter's biggest and best nightclub. It has a massive dancefloor, incredible visuals and a state of the art sound system;

·         the immediate local area has always had a mix of commercial businesses which generally traded during the daytime and were closed at night.  Local residential properties existed beyond the immediate area and so historically have not been affected by the club;

·         this situation recently changed with the approval of a large student accommodation complex on the adjoining site at Townsend Printers in Western Way, Exeter. Noise surveys undertaken were totally inadequate for purpose and the noise attenuation measures within the new development have proved to be totally inadequate. This has generated noise complaints from the occupants of the new student accommodation;

·         the current planning application has a potential for future noise and disturbance to new residents at the application site. Unit 1 lies immediately adjacent to the application site and complaints from future residential occupiers of the application site could lead to calls for possible restrictions on business and opening hours; 

·         it is essential that further consideration is given to the proposed development, as there would be a clear conflict between the nightclub and the residential units. The imposition of conditions has failed to address the noise issues raised at the Printers site and may similarly be insufficient in this case.  The issue of potential noise impact is fundamental to the principle of development in this case;

·         Deltic Group have appointed specialist acoustic consultants to review the recently submitted noise comments from the applicant’s noise consultants.  This review has identified a number of flaws in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The City Development Manager presented the application for an outline planning application for the development of up to 101 houses, a new sports pitch and changing facility, public open space including children's play areas and associated highways and drainage infrastructure at Wear Barton and re-provision of senior football pitch at Exwick Sports Hub with all matters reserved except for means of access.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes.

RESOLVED that the application for the development of up to 101 houses, a new sports pitch and changing facility, public open space including children's play areas and associated highways and drainage infrastructure at Wear Barton and re-provision of senior football pitch at Exwick Sports Hub with all matters reserved except for means of access be DEFERRED for consideration to be given to the draft conclusions of the Exeter Playing Pitches audit and external legal advise.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Project Manager (Planning) (KW) presented the application for the erection of a B1 Office Building, access and associated infrastructure works.

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes.

Councillor Baldwin attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. She made the following points:-

·         this application is the final phase of a three phase history of this and two adjoining sites, all strategically important in terms of the Topsham Gap open space. In anticipating opposition, Heritage Homes circulated an information leaflet as part of its public consultation, albeit only three to four days before submitting its first planning application for the land fronting Exeter Road (Phase I) stating that it would provide affordable, eco-friendly homes, taking account of the character and local distinctiveness of the Gap;

·         as well as protecting and enhancing the character of the surrounding area, Heritage Homes undertook to “provide an area of green open space between the proposed development and the motorway”;

·         following the granting of permission for Phase I, in which the number of homes increased from 23 to 28, Phase II, where the number of homes increased from nine to 22 was also granted permission, the density being close to the permissible maximum. At this stage, the issue of open space provision had become blurred and sidelined when a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring a contribution of £40,500 to improve open space generally in the Topsham area was agreed;

·         for the area originally proposed as open space a change to BI use for a four storey building higher than the M5 motorway is now proposed contrary to comments given during the development of Phases I and II;

·         it has a relatively small footprint and will be higher than the surrounding residential area with a roof garden some 23 metres from the motorway bridge, which in itself will not be pleasant to use;

·         although the report states that the development is adjacent to a commercial boatway, Seabrook Gardens and the new Aldi store, the former is low level and totally screened and the two others sites are the other side of the bridge, the visible boundary between Exeter and Topsham;

·         the offices will be visually intrusive in a sensitive landscape and will spoil the view of the Exe estuary from the motorway;

·         whilst the residential use can be considered in the context of the wider need for housing in the City, this office will set a precedent for commercial development on the other side of Exeter Road adding further pressure on the Topsham Gap. The office should be located in a business park;

·         whilst the report stated that the use of this land for open space was negated by the provision of open space in Phase II, that provision is limited to a small area under the protected tree and the Section 106 monies for wider open space provision in Topsham, should also be utilised on this development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 18 October 2016 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Harvey and Sutton.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 18 October 2016 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Harvey, Lyons and Prowse.