Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Chris Beaver, agent, spoke in support of the application.

Mr Tim Smale, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Gwen Allison, Bradford on Avon Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced a report which recommended that the application be delegated for approval subject to the completion of a supplemental planning agreement to ensure the residential properties complied with the original s.106 legal agreement. Key issues were stated to include highways and access considerations, the principle of development arising from the change of use from officers to residential units, design issues and impact upon the immediate area and listed building. It was noted there would be a loss of 209m² of commercial space should the application be approved, but that the council’s Economy and Regeneration team were in favour of the application as detailed in the report.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought regarding the proposed floor plan of the building.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.

The Local Member, Councillor Ian Thorn, then spoke in objection to the application, but stressed the important of consultation with the town and residents should the Committee approve the application.

A debate followed, where the level of and appropriateness of the marketing for the site for commercial use was assessed, along with consideration of the building’s central and more appealing location as compared to the building under application W/12/02346/FUL, as well as the possibility of improving economic conditions impacting the viability of the site.

It was also noted that parts of the building were already occupied by residential use and that restaurant space was not classified under policies as employment space.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED at a future date subject to the Area Development Manager being satisfied to the completion of a supplemental planning agreement to ensure the residential properties subject of this permission comply with the original Section 106 Legal Agreement attached to 06/02394/FULES

For the following reasons:

In accordance with paragraph 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Wiltshire Council has worked proactively to secure this development to improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.

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       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with drawing numbers 10026(L)411A, 3114(P)001M received on 11th January 2013 and drawing numbers 10026(L)410D, 8008(l)243_B received on 5th September 2013

          REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning

3       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the noise acoustic report received by the Local Planning Authority on 2nd May 2013. Once the development has been completed but prior to occupation of the residential units hereby permitted a post noise construction assessment shall be carried out and the results, any required remedial works and a timetable for implementation of any such remedial works shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any necessary works shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed timetable.

          REASON: To ensure that noise from the existing plant room does not impact upon the amenity of future residents having regard to Saved Policy C38 of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004.

          Informative(s):

1       This permission shall be read in conjunction with a Supplemental Planning Agreement to the original Section 106 Agreement  made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990 and dated ___

Councillors Magnus Macdonald and Ernie Clark requested that their votes in objection to granting permission be recorded.