Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (HS) presented the application for a re-orientation of car park, revised landscaping and vehicle/pedestrian access to plots 23-28 as amended to The Retreat Drive.

In response to Members, he confirmed that part of Retreat Drive was in the ownership of Devon County Council following transfer from Highways England, although not adopted, and clarified the access arrangements from the car park onto Exeter Road which would be cycle/pedestrian only. One Member expressed concern that the new access onto Retreat Road and then onto Exeter Road could create dangerous traffic conditions.

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

RESOLVED that planning permission for a re-orientation of car park, revised landscaping and vehicle/pedestrian access to plots 23-28 as amended to The Retreat Drive be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

(1)        A01 – Time Limit – full

(2)       The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise than in strict accordance with the submitted details received by the Local Planning Authority on 31st May 2016 (including drawing nos. EXRD-012-SITE PLAN & EXRD-020-LOC PLAN) as modified by other conditions of this consent.

Reason: In order to ensure compliance with the approved drawings.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (HS) presented the application for the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme. Variation to approved scheme at Quay Bridge (ref. 15/0172/03): Introduction of a headwall to leat downstream of Quay Bridge. Masonry-clad headwall with bottom-hinged flap gate, glass parapet and access walkway, together with a connecting demountable flood defence barrier system.

The previously approved wider flood relief works included a barrier upstream of Quay Bridge. Furthermore, the original proposals were made to provide 1 in 100 year probability but the Environment Agency were stating that, following detailed surveys and design work, the parapet walls of the Quay Bridge could not withstand an event of greater than 1 in 75 year probability and issues arising from the location of services.

Alternative options including sliding/rolling floodgates to be provided on the western side of Quay Bridge to act as part of the flood defence system had been explored but it was not felt that the Environment Agency had demonstrated that no alternative option was feasible.          

Mr Cox spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

·         planning permission granted in 2015 for the wider flood defence scheme funded by local and national money and delivered by the Environment Agency, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council to provide a common standard of flood protection 1 in 100 chance of occurring in any one year;

·         scheme is 60% complete but in the area of Quay Bridge there is need to change the currently consented design due to the dense arrangement and condition of existing services and the fragility of the existing bridge;

·         the Environment Agency needs to balance many, sometimes conflicting factors when designing schemes. At Quay Bridge such matters include; engineering practicalities, the interests of local people, heritage and other environmental impacts and value of public money. It understands and shares the need to protect the valuable heritage of the Quay and has spent 11 months and considerable funds fully investigating options. The alternative option of roller gates has been considered and rejected on technical grounds;

·         the only viable option which achieves the necessary balance is building the new defence structure across the Leat just south of the existing Quay Bridge. Itprovides a 1 in 100 year standard for the people, property and infrastructure of Shillhay in common with the rest of the City;

·         it will be built to a high-quality specification (inc masonry-cladding, glass parapets and timber decking) as developed by landscape and heritage experts in collaboration with Council’s Heritage/Landscape Staff and Historic England;

·         it incorporates pedestrian and cycle access to allow future use as an alternative to the current Quay Bridge road bridge and minimises the disruption to residents, businesses and visitors during construction and means Quay Bridge can stay open;

·         refusal or deferral would mean proceeding with constructing those parts of the currently consented design that are practical to build and omit those parts that are not. This would result in reduced flood protection (1 in 75 year or 1.33% of happening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

The report of the City Development Manager was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

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 22 August at

9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Foale, Newby and Spackman.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 22 August at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Foale, Newby and Spackman.