Agenda item

Proposal: Demolition of the existing gym/lecture theatre block and the erection of a part four/part five-storey building (2,625 square metres GIA) to host a new Construction and Engineering Centre at the College.

Roland Sheldon, Planning Officer, introduced the item for demolition of the existing gym/lecture theatre block and the erection of a part four/part five-storey building (2,625 square metres GIA) to host a new Construction and Engineering Centre at the College.

The following was noted in response to questions from the committee:

• Cycling spaces would be for the use of the college only. Dockless parking provision is part of a different scheme. Officers were in the process of looking at permanent marked spaces for dockless parking.
• The proposal was to connect with DEN. they had secured future proofing mechanisms, the rest would be secured through planning conditions.
• There was not a mandatory requirement for design out crime, the proposed building isis an internally located building with secure lines.
• In terms of the building design, there was a fire engineer as well as architects working though the means of escape and thetype of construction. There would be robust brick construction which gave greater fire resistance. This design was also independently reviewed by a fire engineer. The college would have a duty in terms of their overall fire strategy, which would be subject to review by building control. There would also be an annual fire risk assessment for each building. The building fell below a level in which sprinklers were required. There would be fire exits at both north and south ends of the building.
• In terms of an escape lift, this would have an independent power supply which was designed for the means of escape.
• There was a lot of work done at the pre application stage in terms of views, analysis and how the building might sit behind the conservation area. In terms of the harm identified, this was a low level. Officers acknowledged the building would be glimpsed through the gaps between the listed buildings. The proposal  would be an  enhanced facility in the replacement building, given the current facilities are dated. The college was the largest further education provider in the borough with strong links to the council. These benefits outweighed the less than substantial harm affecting the heritage assets.
• There would be a green roof to deal with biodiversity net gain and also in terms of renewable energy.
• Site access as was currently shown, it was a service access road. It was acknowledged that this was also a bus lane and a cycle route with a wide pavement for pedestrians. By removing the 17 car parking spaces that were currently within the service yard, officers were creating a space that enabled deliveries and other vehicles to come in, turn around and exit in a forward gear. Hopefully this would create a much safer access. Officers had agreed to put together a construction management plan, there was a contractor on board currently looking at this.

The Chair asked Robbie McNaugher, Head of Development Management and Enforcement Planning to sum up the recommendations as set out in the report.  The Chair moved that the recommendation be granted following a vote with 9 for, 0 against and 0 abstentions

RESOLVED

1. That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission and that the Assistant Director of Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability or the Head of Development Management is authorised to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives subject to the signing of a legal agreement providing the obligations as set out in the Heads of Terms below.

2. That the legal agreement referred to in resolution (2.1) above is to be completed no later than 9th October 2024 or within such extended time as the Assistant Director Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability/Head of Development Management shall in her/his sole discretion allow; and

3. That, following completion of the agreement(s) referred to in resolution (2.1) within the time period provided for in resolution (2.2) above, planning permission shall be granted in accordance with the Planning Application subject to the attachment of the conditions and informatives; and

4. That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Development Management or the Assistant Director Planning, Building Standards and Sustainability to make any alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended heads of terms and/or recommended conditions and informatives as set out in this report and to further delegate this power provided this authority shall be exercised in consultation with the Chair (or in their absence the Vice-Chair) of the Sub-Committee.

Summary Lists of Conditions, Informatives and Heads of Terms

Summary of Conditions (a full list is included in Appendix 1)

1. Time limit

2. Approved plans and documents

3. Design/material conditions

4. Delivery and servicing plan

5. Construction and logistics management

6. Cycle storage

7. Disabled parking bay

8. Car parking management

9. Revised energy statement

10. Living roof

11. Overheating

12. Biodiversity Net Gain

13. BREEAM

14. Restriction on Use Class

15. Permitted development

16. Landscaping

17. Unexpected contamination

18. NRMM

19. Demolition and construction environmental management plan

20. Considerate contractors

Informatives

1. Proactive statement

2. Hours of construction work

3. Party Wall Act

4. Asbestos survey

5. Dust

6. Groundwater Risk Permit

7. Underground Water Assets

8. Minimum Water Pressure

9. Sprinkler installation

10. Designing Out Crime

11. Land ownership

12. S.106 Agreement and S.278 Agreement