Agenda item

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application. He introduced the report which recommended that the planning application be granted, subject to conditions.

 

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask questions during which concern was expressed at the level of car parking places proposed.  The Case Officer explained that the proposals provided for an increased level of parking for disabled people at the front of County Hall and that the amount of general parking provision would remain unchanged from the existing amount.  It was noted that the planning application complied with the standards for car parking provision and met the planning criteria.

 

Resolved:

 

To grant planning permission for the following reasons and subject to the conditions set out below:-

 

Reasons

 

The proposed development is in accordance with Council policy and government guidance and there is no reason why permission should not be granted.

 

The proposals represent a significant improvement to the overall appearance of the building, will enhance the street scene and add to the vitality of this part of the town centre. There will be no harm to neighbouring amenity or any other interests of acknowledged importance. The refurbished offices will ensure that the building responds positively to contemporary working methods and the relocation of the library and registry office will benefit the community.

 

 

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 development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

          REASON: In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

 

          West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: C31a.

 

3       There shall be no vehicular access to or from the existing pedestrian and cycle only westerly access point onto Bythesea Road.

 

          REASON: In the interests of highway safety to avoid unnecessary vehicular turning movement onto and off Bythesea Road near an existing all movements junction which adequately caters with all movements to and from County Hall.

 

4       The proposals contained within the County Halll Re-Modelling, Wiltshire Council, Arts Strategy document dated February 2011 shall be carried out in accordance with the timetable attached at Appendix II, and further programme details for the installation of the work shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to their installation in the building.

 

          REASON:  In the interests of public amenity and the arts.

 

          POLICY:  West Wiltshire District Plan - 1st Alteration 2004 – Policy I2.

 

5       The recommendations contained within the BREEAM Ecology Report LE1-LE6 prepared by Dr Peter Webb and dated October 2010 shall be carried out during construction of the development. Thereafter the ecological enhancement works shall be implemented in full prior to the completion of the development.

 

          REASON: In the interests of nature conservation.

 

          POLICY: Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

 

6       In order to define the terms of this permission, this approval relates to the plans received on 10.12.2010, to the revised plans received on 07.03.2011, and to the documents submitted with the application and listed below:-

 

          Plan Numbers for Trowbridge County Hall

 

          P(0)001                                     Site location plan

          P(0)002                        Site block plan

          P(0)004A              Mech and OCH ground floor plan

          P(0)005A              Mech and links basement plan

          P(0)006A              Mech and links ground floor plan

          P(0)007A              Mech and links 1st floor plan

          P(0)008A              Mech and links 2nd floor plan

          P(0)009A              Mech and links 3rd floor plan

          P(0)010A              Mech and links roof plan

          P(0)011A              OCH basement plan

          P(0)012A              OCH ground floor plan

          P(0)013A              OCH 1st floor plan

          P(0)014A              OCH 2nd floor plan

          P(0)015A              OCH 3rd floor plan

          P(0)016A              OCH roof plan

          P(0)030A              MECH North West elevation

          P(0)031A              MECH North East elevation

          P(0)032A              MECH South East elevation

          P(0)033A              MECH South West elevation

          P(0)035A              OCH North East elevation

          P(0)036                        OCH North West front elevation

          P(0)037                        OCH South West elevation

          P(0)038                        OCH North West rear elevation

          P(0)039                        OCH South East elevation

          P(0)040                        OCH Council Chamber elevation

          P(0)050                        Section A-A

          P(0)051A              Courtyard section

          P(0)060                        External works plan

          P(0)061                        External works – Entrance approach

          P(0)062                        External works – Entrance approach              

          P(0)063                        MECH South –proposed escape ramp

          P(0)064                        OCH Rear – cycle store and basement access

          P(0)070A              3D Images 1

          P(0)071A              3D Images 2

          P(0)1000              Site plan external underground drainage Sheet 1

          P(0)1001              Site plan external underground drainage Sheet 2

 

          Documents received on 10.12.2010

 

          Planning Statement, incorporating Design and Access Statement

          Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

          Interim Travel Plan

          Site Waste Management Plan

          Construction Method Statement

 

          Heritage Statement dated February 2011

          Report in relation to BREEAM Ecology dated October

 

 

Informative(s):

 

1       You are advised that Network Rail has made the following comments in relation to its requirements for the safe operation of the railway and the protection of Network Rail's adjoining land are as follows. 

 

          Drainage

          Additional or increased flows of surface water should not be discharged onto Network Rail land or into Network Rail's culvert or drains.  In the interest of the long-term stability of the railway, it is recommended that soakaways should not be constructed within 10 metres of Network Rail's boundary.

 

          Safety

          No work should be carried out on the development site that may endanger the safe operation of the railway or the stability of Network Rail’s structures and adjoining land.  In view of the close proximity of these proposed works to the railway boundary the developer should contact Richard Selwood at Network Rail on AssetProtectionWestern@networkrail.co.uk before works begin.

 

          Ground levels

          The developers should be made aware that Network Rail needs to be consulted on any alterations to ground levels.  No excavations should be carried out near railway embankments, retaining walls or bridges.

 

          Site layout

          It is recommended that all buildings be situated at least 2 metres from the boundary fence, to allow construction and any future maintenance work to be carried out without involving entry onto Network Rail's infrastructure.  Where trees exist on Network Rail land the design of foundations close to the boundary must take into account the effects of root penetration in accordance with the Building Research Establishment’s guidelines.