Agenda item

Public participation

Paul Stanford spoke in opposition to the application.

John Girvan spoke in opposition to the application.

Carol Krebs spoke in opposition to the application.

James Mahoney spoke in support of the application.

Kevin Dobson spoke in support of the application.

Mark Bouch spoke in support of the application.

 

The Planning Officer introduced the application which recommended the application be approved subject to conditions. Key issues were stated to include, principle of the development (including impact on heritage assets), highway matters, amenity issues, ecology, and contamination.

 

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Clarification was sought on whether the area was currently in use as a depot without any vehicular restrictions. The Committee heard that this was correct.

 

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

 

The local member, Councillor Sue Evans, spoke in objection to the application. Councillor Evans discussed access, highways, ecology, and the impact on neighbours with specific reference to noise and parking concerns.

 

A debate followed where the current mixed use status of the area was discussed. The Committee heard that the hours of operation were not proposed to be changed, as there were currently no restrictions to the use of the depot. The Committee discussed potential issues around the width of the road. Potential noise problems and the frequency of use were questioned. Issues with regards to the use, access, location and history of the turning area were also discussed.

 

At the conclusion of debate it was,

 

Resolved:

 

That the planning permission be GRANTED 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 depot shall not be first brought into use by the Canoe Club until the turning space has been laid out in accordance with the approved plans. The turning space shall be kept free from any obstructions at all times.

 

REASON: In the interests of Highway Safety.

 

3. In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development that was not previously identified it should be reported in writing immediately to the Local Planning Authority. An investigation and risk assessment should be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of a written report to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority which shall include details of the previous uses of the site and any adjacent sites for at least the last 100 years and a description of the current condition of the sites with regard to any activities that may have caused contamination.  Where remediation is necessary, full details must be submitted to the Local Planning Authority and approved in writing and thereafter implemented prior to the commencement of the development or in accordance with a timetable that has been agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority as part of the approved remediation scheme. On completion of any required remedial works the applicant shall provide written confirmation to the Local Planning Authority that the works have been completed in accordance with the agreed remediation strategy.

 

REASON: To ensure that risks from land contamination to the future users of the land and neighbouring land are minimised, together with those to controlled waters, property and ecological systems, and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other offsite receptors.

 

4. All spoil from the digging works for the changing rooms and the new canal slipway shall be removed from the site.

 

REASON: To ensure that risks from land contamination to the future users of the land and neighbouring land are minimised, together with those to controlled waters, property and ecological systems, and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other offsite receptors.

 

5. The development shall be constructed in strict accordance with the recommendations at Section 7 – Mitigation, in the Water Vole Survey, Kennet & Avon Canal, Lower Wharf, Devizes, July 2014 by Chalkhill Environmental Consultants. 

 

REASON: In the interests of protecting protected species.

 

6. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

 

Design and Access Statement – Received 27 May 2014

Site Location Plan – Received 27 May 2014

Existing and Proposed North and West Elevations - Received 27 May 2014

Existing and Proposed East and South Elevations - Received 27 May 2014

Groundworks and Services Layout - Received 27 May 2014

Proposed Changing Room Elevations - Received 27 May 2014

Proposed Kayak Store Elevations - Received 27 May 2014

Canal Access Point – Proposed Section A-A - Received 27 May 2014.

Canal Access Point – Proposed Section B-B and C-C - Received 27 May 2014.

External Lighting Plan - Received 27 May 2014

Revised Traffic Management Plan V3 – Received 24 July 2014

Revised Existing Site Plan – Received 7 August 2014

Revised Proposed Site Plan – Received 7 August 2014

Revised Existing Internal Plan - Received 7 August 2014

Revised Proposed Revised Plan - Received 7 August 2014

 

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

 

7. There shall be no use of the site, or deliveries of canoes, by members or non-members of the canoe club on Sunday mornings before 09:00.

 

REASON: To protect the amenities of residents of nearby properties

 

Informatives:

 

1.The applicant is advised to contact Susie Mercer, Business Boating Manager on 07795 027366 in order to ensure that any necessary consents or agreements are obtained and that the works comply with the Canal & River Trust “Code of Practice for Works affecting the Canal & River Trust”.

 

2. The applicant is advised that safeguards should be implemented during the construction phase to minimise the risks of pollution from the development. Such safeguards should cover:

·       the use of plant and machinery

·       oils/chemicals and materials

·       the use and routing of heavy plant and vehicles

·       the location and form of work and storage areas and compounds

·       the control and removal of spoil and wastes.

The applicant should refer to the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guidelines at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pollution-prevention-guidance-ppg 

 

A recess was taken from 6.55pm to 7.00pm.