Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Estates Services.

(Report circulated)

Councillor R Hannaford declared a personal but not prejudicial interest in the item as a Devon County Council member of Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee. Councillor Wadham declared a personal interest in the item as an Exeter City Council member of Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee.

The report of the Head of Estates Services was submitted, updating Members on progress regarding the lease variations and consents and the land disposal associated with the proposed siting of a new recycling facility on the site of the former Devon County Council Highways Depot in Pinbrook Road.

The Head of Estates Services updated members on the various mitigating measures that had been proposed in respect of the site. He informed Executive that the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) at its meeting on 2 April had not approved the closure of Summerway so the County Council now intended to pursue a traffic calming scheme, and put this back to HATOC in due course. The planning permission granted for the scheme contemplates this alternative, as the undertaking given by the County Council under that permission states that if the closure cannot be secured, they will fund alternative traffic calming measures. A plan of the proposed works had been submitted to the City Council and had been considered to be satisfactory by the Director Economy and Development. Studies undertaken by the County’s traffic consultants supported the view that these would be effective. Executive was required to decide whether this alternative scheme for traffic calming of adjacent roads was acceptable to the City Council as landlord of the Pinbrook site.

The Head of Estates Services reported that the revised plan for the proposed acoustic barrier was also considered acceptable although it was likely that a further change to the design may be proposed. In view of the range of measures to limit the impact from noise on the surrounding residential areas, it was considered reasonable to only restrict the opening hours of the site to the public on a Sunday from 10am to 4pm and Devon County Council had accepted this restriction. The County Council had requested that the restriction be reviewed after 12 months.

Councillors Taghdissian and Thompson attended the meeting and spoke on the item under Standing Order 44.

Councillor Thompson recorded her concern that Executive should take account of the original views of Planning Committee that closure of Summerway was essential for the recycling scheme to proceed, and that more restrictive opening hours should be imposed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. She did not feel that the proposed traffic calming measures were an adequate solution. She also stated that she did not consider it appropriate for Executive to delegate authority solely to officers in respect of the outstanding issues.

Whilst acknowledging the need for another amenity site on that side of the City, Councillor Taghdissian regretted that members had not had more opportunity to debate the suitability of the Pinbrook Road site. He considered that the proposed traffic calming measures would be inadequate since they would not decrease the volume of additional traffic that would be generated on the road.

Other members emphasised the benefits of having an additional amenity site in view of the significant overall reduction in traffic that travelled across the City to the current site. They also considered the range of mitigating measures that had been negotiated to be adequate in minimising the impact on local residents.

Councillor Edwards proposed that the City Council ask the County Council to review traffic flows and opening hours three months after the opening of the site. The Head of Estates Service confirmed that the measures currently proposed by the County Council did not preclude the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee reviewing their effectiveness in the future.

The Chair reminded members that the Council was being consulted on the issue as landlord in relation to the lease. Whilst the traffic issues were a matter for the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, he hoped that they would have regard to the views of local ward members and residents and that dialogue would continue.

Executive resolved that:-

(1) the grant of consent for the demolition of the redundant depot buildings be noted;

(2) the position regarding the delay in granting the consent for alterations be noted;

(3) consent for the change of use and the lease variations associated with that use be granted by licence, such licence to be conditional upon approval of any outstanding mitigation measures by the Head of Estates Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Economy and Tourism in accordance with paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(4) the following mitigation measures as described in this report be approved: the scheme for traffic calming and signage in Summerway, the acoustic barrier and associated planting, the opening hours (subject to paragraph (5) below) and the proposals for the netting of vehicles, subject to any amendments to these measures being approved by the Head of Estates Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Economy and Tourism;

(5) delegated authority to deal with any subsequent application regarding a change in the opening hours beyond 4pm on Sundays and to accord with the hours approved under the planning consent be given to the Head of Estates Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Economy and Tourism and Head of Environmental Health Services in accordance with paragraph 3.2 (ix) of the report; and

(6) without prejudicing the issue of the license, Devon County Council be requested to review traffic flows in the area and the impact of the opening hours, three months after the opening of the amenity site.

(In accordance with Standing Order 43, Councillor Mrs Henson requested that her name be recorded as having abstained from the vote)