Agenda item

The officer presented the report which recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. A site plan showing the proposed access track and greenbelt land was presented alongside photographs of the existing access track, tree belt and illustrative images of the proposed track. A slide highlighting public rights of way was also presented. It was explained that the new access road would be designed for residents of the care home, flats and their visitors to use as opposed to access via the existing route through an industrial area. The officer drew attention to the agenda supplement which detailed a new condition to be considered should planning permission be granted.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that there had not been an application for lighting along the track. The planning officer explained that, to make the track as less intrusive as possible, the road surface would be gravel which would only withstand light use of the road. Concerns were raised over the enforceability of the additional condition to limit the use of the track.

The local member, Cllr Dick Tonge expressed concern over the extent of use of the proposed access road, suggesting that, unless there was enforcement with regard to use of the road, this could cause problems in the future and impact local residents.

In the debate that followed attention was brought to recommendations in the emerging Core Strategy and to support the viability of this commercial development on brownfield site. Members considered the potential number of vehicles to use the access road and methods to limit high usage.

Resolved:

To GRANT planning permission 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 Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the following approved plans and documents subject to such minor amendments to the development as may be approved in writing under this condition by the local planning authority. Plans:

·       Location plan

·       Site Plan

·       Illustrative View 1

·       Illustrative View 2

·       Illustrative View 3

·       Proposed Road revised plan 14.1558 L(0)04 (received 20/06/14)

·       Traffic Impact of New Road (prepared by Hydrok reference C14653)(dated 08/08/14)

·       Design and Access Statement

All date stamped 14/04/14, unless otherwise stated.

REASON: To ensure that the development is implemented in accordance with this decision in the interests of public amenity, but also to allow for the approval of minor variations which do not materially affect the permission.

3.      No development shall take place on site until details of the proposed construction specification for the access road shall be submitted to, and approved in writing, by the local planning authority. The access road shall be constructed in complete accordance with those details approved.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety and accessibility as well as ensuring the development is of a form that is appropriate to the rural landscape.

4.      No development shall take place on site on site until details of signs to be erected at each end of the proposed access track restricting its use to cars and light vehicles only shall be submitted to, and approved in writing, by the local planning authority. The signs shall be erected prior to the first use of the proposed access and maintained at all times thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

5.      No development shall take place on site until full and complete details of the passing places to be created shall have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Details shall include the number, positioning as well as their dimensions and construction. Development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the details so agreed.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

6.      Notwithstanding the submitted plans, no development shall take place until full and complete details of the intended treatment and precise routing of the access track in relation to the Public Right of Way, which also crosses the site, have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the details so agreed.

REASON: So as to ensure the access track does not impede or in any way unacceptable interfere with the Public Right of Way.

7.      Prior to their first installation, full and complete details of the gate and kissing gate to Roundwood cottage as well as metal estate style fencing to be installed (as suggested on the submitted plan reference 14.1558 L(0)04). The approved scheme shall be carried out in complete accordance with the detail so agreed.

REASON: In the interests of amenity and to ensure a form of development that is appropriate to the landscape.

8.      Prior to its construction, full and complete details of the natural stone walls to be erected at Roundwood Cottage and at the entrance (including proposed bin store) shall have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in complete accordance with those details so agreed.

REASON: In the interests of amenity and to ensure a form of development that is appropriate to the landscape.

9.      No form of lighting shall be installed on the site or in associated with the new access track or entrance unless otherwise agreed in writing in the form of a separate planning permission in that regard.

REASON: In the interests of amenity as well as impact on the landscape and nature conservation.

10.  As set out within the submitted Hydrock Traffic Impact statement and Design and Access Statement, the new access and track hereby granted planning permission shall only be used only by residents of and visitors to the Royal Arthur Park retirement community as well as traffic associated with the existing Roundwood Cottage. All delivery and staff vehicles associated with the Royal Arthur Park retirement community shall continue to make use of the existing access from Westwells Road.

In accordance with this condition and, prior to the laying of the new access track, a detailed scheme to control the use of the new track shall have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such a scheme shall include some form of controlled access gate/barrier type arrangement so as to confine its use to residents and visitors only. In particular, the scheme shall also prohibit the use of the Royal Arthur Park site as a short-cut route between the Westwells Road and Bradford Road entrances. The access track and gate/barrier shall be installed, used and operated in complete accordance with the detailed scheme so agreed.

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and so as to ensure the new access track remains limited in use and activity and thereby commensurate to its rural setting.