Agenda and minutes

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 (*prejudicial) interests:-

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning Services presented the application for planning permission for a detached building to provide a hotel comprising of 170 rooms, conference facilities, restaurant/bar, ancillary offices, alterations to vehicular access to provide lay-by on Western Way and delivery area off Russell Street, parking and associated works.

The proposal would be over 7 storeys with a basement level accommodating conference rooms. A recent Hotel study had identified a need for additional accommodation within the city. There was no parking proposed as it was in a city centre location close to parking and public transport links. A lay-by was proposed in the front of the building as a drop-off point and there would be 34 cycle spaces.

The materials to be used were render and brick and it was proposed that the windows would be of a high impact paired design and they would be alternately projecting.

The Area Working Party had raised the question of sustainable energy generation. The applicant had responded that items such as solar panels/wind turbines and wood chip boilers would be considered at the detailed design stage of the building. The applicant had also made a statement in regard to their operational environmental policy in which they recognised the environmental responsibilities that they carried on behalf of their guests, employees and the community.

The Head of Planning Services stated that the recommendation was for approval subject to a Section 106 agreement, the conditions in the circulated report and additional conditions regarding an Energy Assessment and contaminated land.

Members welcomed this proposal and felt that it was in an ideal city centre location and would improve the immediate vicinity of the surrounding area.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a detached building to provide hotel (Class C1) comprising 170 rooms, conference facilities, restaurant/bar, ancillary offices, alterations to vehicular access to provide lay-by on Western Way and delivery area off Russell Street, parking and associated works be approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement in respect of access arrangements, accommodation works (including relocation of the signal controlled crossing) and landscaping works on the Western Way frontage, together with arrangements for future maintenance of the works, payment by the developer of the cost of any new or revised traffic orders and a contribution towards public art and the following conditions:

1)         C05  -  Time Limit - Commencement

2)         C15  -  Compliance with Drawings

3)         C17  -  Submission of Materials

4)         C12  -  Drainage Details

5)         Prior to the development being occupied, or at such other time as may be agreed by the Local Planning Authority in writing, a sustainable drainage solution such as a soakaway, designed and constructed in accordance with Building Research Establishment Digest 365; or a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, in accordance with Construction Industry Research and Information Association Document 522 for surface water disposal shall be installed and the system shall be maintained effective at all times thereafter. Clean surface and roof water shall be kept separate from the foul  ...  view the full minutes text for item 185.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Mrs Henson declared a personal interest as she knows the applicant.

The Major Projects Officer presented the application for planning permission for redevelopment to provide 5 detached dwellings.

A previous application on this site for 10 dwellings had been refused for reasons of its impact on the trees on the site and effect on the landscape setting. The site was on the boundary with East Devon.

This proposal sought to address the previous reasons for refusal and only 3 trees which were in poor health were proposed to be removed. This was an outline application for the layout and landscaping only. Matters of scale, appearance and access were reserved. Indicative plans to demonstrate that access was feasible were provided.

The recommendation was for approval subject to conditions as per the circulated report.

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

• a previous application had been refused because of its impact on the trees and the landscaping setting; this scheme had been amended to address those reasons for refusal
• all requests for changes by the landscape officer and planning officers had been adhered to
• the three trees to be removed were of poor quality
• 450 metres of Devon bank would be planted around the site and 100 metres would be planted at the front of the site
• seven trees would be planted at the front of the site and one tree would be planted in each plot
• the application had received eight letters of support
• the site was within the settlement limits of the city
• the Northern Area Working Party supported the application
• asked the Committee to support the officer’s recommendation.

In answer to Members’ questions, the Major Projects Officer confirmed that there would be an element of cutting in on the site to lower some of the proposed dwellings and that a condition could be added regarding the materials to be used on the driveways.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a redevelopment to provide five detached dwellings, parking and access to highway (scale, appearance and access reserved for future consideration) be approved subject to the following conditions:

1)         Approval of the details of the access, scale, and appearance of the buildings, (hereinafter called "the reserved matters") shall be obtained from the Local Planning Authority in writing before any development is commenced.

Reason:  To safeguard the rights of control by the Local Planning Authority in respect of the reserved matters.

2)         C07  -  Time Limit - Outline

3)         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 30 January 2008 (dwg. nos. 27178.P1.L and P2.G), as modified by other conditions of this consent.

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

4)         C17  -  Submission of Materials

5)         C37  -  Replacement Planting

6)         C39  -  Boundary Treatment

7)         As appropriate, the proposed estate roads, footpaths, cycle routes, junctions, verges, street  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning Services presented the application for planning permission for  redevelopment to provide student accommodation, bin/cycle storage, ancillary offices, parking, altered access to highway and associated works; and the application for conservation area consent for demolition of buildings.

The building would accommodate 123 units comprising of 24 cluster flats and 11 studio flats, there would be a common room, laundry room and 24 hour management on site. This was a car free development with two parking spaces, one for the disabled and one for the on-site Manager; there would be 1 to 1 cycle storage. There was one sole front entrance proposed. The applicants would require the students to enter into a tenancy agreement which would not allow them to bring a car.

The height and massing of the proposal was similar to that of a previous approval on the site for 27 flats and reflected the existing building, a new lay-by was proposed at the front of the site which would be used for the delivery of the construction materials, a drop-off point for students and a bus stop. The students would be given a timetable for arrival at the start of each term to avoid congestion.

The Head of Planning Services informed Members that the views of the Head of Environmental Services were still awaited and any condition regarding noise that he required should be delegated to the Head of Planning Services.

Further to a request from the Members of the Area Working Partyregarding sustainable energy generation issues, the applicant had responded pointing out that the modular form of construction reduced overall energy consumption in the construction process significantly and the ongoing energy needs of the building and that the lightweight nature of the construction reduced foundation requirements. With regards sustainable energy generation, the applicant had indicated a willingness to consider solar energy use through the detailed design stage. The Head of Planning Services confirmed that a further condition was recommended to cover this issue.

A  revised section drawing had been received which indicated that the existing boundary fence between the site and the adjacent property, coupled with the intervening garage and proposed treatment of the amenity area, would ensure that there was no significant adverse amenity impact upon the neighbouring residential properties.

The Head of Planning Services stated that the recommendation was for approval subject to a Section 106 Agreement, the conditions as per the circulated report; additional conditions regarding means of control over the use of the pedestrian access from both Salem Place and Silver Lane; requirement for an Energy Assessment and means of enclosure of the communal space; and subject to the views of the Head of Environmental Services, a noise condition should it be required be delegated to the Head of Planning Services.

The recommendation for the conservation area consent was for approval subject to the conditions as per the circulated report and an additional condition to restrict the times of demolition and to control dust.

Councillor Branston, having given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Mitchell declared a personal interest in respect of Polsloe Brickworks as he lives in the vicinity.

The Head of Planning Services presented the report updating Members on the progress of implementing Section 106 Agreements and on the expenditure of financial contributions received.

The monies received in relation to Section 106 obligations since January 2007 had been £1,512,719. During 2007, Devon County Council received £973,141 for improvements to transport facilities. £268,188 was received as a result of the Kings Heath development at Digby with a further £180,000 collected in relation to the Met Office scheme.

A total of £888,576 had been spent over the past twelve months. A £47,874 highway contribution from the industrial and business unit development at Yeoford Way in Matford Park had been spent on improving pedestrian and cycleway facilities in Bad Homburg Way. £248,002 had been spent on improvements to community, leisure and open space facilities.  £119,398 of this was at Kinnerton Way, Exwick. A further £67,039 had been committed to projects in the vicinity.

With regard to the open space at Polsloe Brickworks, no real progress was being made by Persimmon. The matter had been passed to one of the Council's litigation solicitors with a view to taking legal action.   

Members noted the report.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Planning Services was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning Services presented the report updating Members on enforcement matters.

He confirmed that an internal inspection of 144 Fore Street would take place on 19 February 2008.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning Services.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Mitchell declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of the Beacon Avenue site as he lives opposite the site.

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 4 March 2008 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Mitchell, Newby and Shiel.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 4 March 2008 at 10.00 a.m.The Councillors attending will be Mitchell, Newby and Shiel.