Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing hand car wash and garage commercial unit with rear warehouse buildings, and erection of new commercial unit (B1) at ground floor level and 2x one bed flats and 2x two bed flat at first and second floor levels.

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, on the application to grant planning permission for the demolition of the current building at 196-198 West Green Road and the erection of a new commercial unit at ground floor level and 2x one bed flats and 2x two bed flats at first and second floor level. The report set out details of the proposal, the site and surroundings, planning history, relevant planning policy, consultation and responses, analysis, equalities and human rights implications and recommended to grant permission subject to conditions. The Planning Officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report.

The Committee raised the following points in discussion of the application;

·        Concerns were raised regarding the likelihood of the site being contaminated as a result of its current use as a car wash and car garage including the potential for the presence of asbestos, and the importance of ensuring this was appropriately remedied before any construction works began. Officers advised that an additional condition could be imposed requiring the applicant to undertake a contamination assessment prior to any construction works starting on site to ensure any contamination issues would be appropriately addressed. Confirmation was provided that specific regulations covering the management of asbestos fell under the remit of the Environmental Health department.

• Members raised concern over the proposed car free classification of the development, particularly in recognition of the crime levels in the area and therefore the potential for this to discourage future residents. Officers advised that the site was well served by public transport and confirmed that the nearest car club bay was approximately 250m from the development. It was agreed that an informative be added for officers to review the car club position with the applicant to explore the viability of the development supporting a bay. At a strategic level, an additional piece of work would be undertaken by officers to review car club viability and threshold levels for the borough under the Development Management DPD to provide a steer for schemes going forward.
• Confirmation was provided that the restoration of the dropped kerb currently located to the front of the site would be covered by a condition.
• Concerns were raised regarding the condition of the boundary wall adjacent to the dental surgery and it was advised that this issue had been referred to the Building Control service as a potential dangerous structure. Clarification would also be sought on the ownership of the wall.
• It was requested that the condition covering landscaping be reworded to cover both the front and rear of the site. It was also requested that the feasibility be looked into of planting a number of small, manageable trees such as silver birch on the site under the landscaping plan.
• Members expressed a preference for the use of darker stock bricks in construction if possible for the new buildings to be more in keeping with those used in the area.

Ms Onyett, a resident of neighbouring Dorset Road, addressed the Committee in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41