Agenda item

Public Participation:

Kevin Sweeney, Wiltshire Council, spoke in support of the application

Cllr John Noeken, Cabinet Member for Resources, spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer outlined his report and highlighted a late objection that had been received as a late representation.

It was clarified that the land on which the application sought to build was under Wiltshire Council ownership and had always been historically separate from the school playing fields around it.

Following a brief discussion on the merits of the site, the patterns of use by the public protection unit and the safety measures in place, the scarcity of alternative sites for both uses and the suitability of the access/frequency of vehicles accessing the site, it was:

Resolved:

That planning permission is GRANTED for the following reasons:

The decision to grant planning permission has been taken on the grounds that subject to conditions, the proposals would not cause any significant demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance, in this case, the impact on the living conditions of nearby properties, highway safety or ecology.

The proposal is considered to be in accordance with the aims and objectives of the following saved policies in the Salisbury District Local

Plan:

• G1 Sustainable Development
• G2 General Principles of development
• C12 Protected species
• R5 Infrastructure and facilities

And subject to the following conditions:

(1)    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

(2)    No part of the development hereby permitted shall be first brought into use until the turning area and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

Reason:  In the interests of highway safety. Policy: G2 (General)

(3)  The development shall be completed in accordance with the vegetation removal strategy, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

Removal of any shrubs (including bramble) or other woody vegetation or long grass must not take place between March and July inclusive, unless the area has first been assessed by a competent ecologist and they are satisfied that no nesting birds are present, or nest in the process of being building.

Immediately prior to the commencement of construction works, all vegetation on the footprint of the proposed buildings and working area shall be strimmed in two stages, spread over 3 or 4 days.  The first will be to 10cm and the second to ground level, with a gap of 2 days between the cuts to allow reptiles and small mammals to move away.

If any reptiles are found during preparatory site clearance, they should be removed by a competent ecologist to the edge of the site beyond the construction area.

If any unexpected species are found on site, the works should cease and the County Ecologist should be contacted for advice on how to proceed.

Reason:  There is a risk that reptiles and ground nesting birds may be using the rougher areas of grass and scrub. The vegetation removal strategy should ensure that there is no impact on the ecology of the site as a result of carrying out the proposed works.

Policy: G1 (Sustainable development), G2 (General), C12 (Protected species)

(4)  The development shall be completed in accordance with the Tree Protection Plan reference 101103-WMS-TPP-AM and Tree Protection section 4 of the ‘Arboricultural Implications Assessment Tree Constraints and Protection Plan’.

The approved Tree Protection Fencing shall be maintained until all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed from the site.  Nothing shall be stored or placed in any area fenced in accordance with this condition and the ground levels within those areas shall not be altered, nor shall any excavation be made, without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  In order to maintain the integrity of the hedges and trees as wildlife corridors and food resources and a screen to the site boundary in the interests of visual amenity.

Policy: G1 (Sustainable development), G2 (General)

(5) The use of the Environmental Protection Building shall not take place except between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Friday.  The use of the Youth Services Building and External Activity Area shall not take place except between the hours of 18:30 to 21:30 Monday to Friday, between the hours of 18:30 to 21:30 on Saturdays (up to five times a year) and not at any time on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Reason:  In the interests of the amenities of the occupants of the nearby residential properties.

Policy: G1 & G2 (General Development Criteria)

(6) This development shall be in accordance with the following drawings:

• 1:1250 Location Plan
• 1:2500 Location Plan
• 1017-02 Rev A Site Block Plan
• 1017-05 Rev A Floor Plan
• 1017-06 Rev A Elevations
• 1017-07 Rev A Floor Plan
• 1017-08 Rev A Elevations
• 101103-WMS-TPP-AM Tree Protection Plan

Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.