Conversion of store to B1 (business unit), to include raising of roofslope and part flat section, insertion of rooflights and fenestration alterations.

Officer’s recommendation:  PERMISSION

The Development Control Officer introduced the report and made the following amendments:

Delete conditions DV15 & DV16 and replace with – ‘The rooflights in the south facing roofslope shall be permanently fitted with obscured glass and restricted in opening to 100mm in accordance with details which shall have been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to commencement of the development.  

REASON:  To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining occupiers and the area.’

Add conditions –

·         Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, details of internal cycle parking facilities shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Thereafter the development shall not be completed other than in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: To accord with this Council's policy to discourage the use of the car wherever possible.

·         Notwithstanding the details of refuse and recycling provision shown on the approved plans, revised details of the storage facilities shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval.  Thereafter the development shall not be completed other than in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: In the interests of highway and pedestrian safety together with the amenities of surrounding residential properties.

·         No development shall take place, including any works of demolition, until a construction method statement has been submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period. The statement shall provide for:

i) size and routing of construction vehicles and holding areas for these on site;

ii) the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors;

iii) the loading and unloading of plant and materials;

iv) the storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development;

v) the erection and maintenance of security hoarding;

vi) measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction;

vii) a scheme for recycling and disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction work;

viii) Construction contractors membership of the Considerate Contractors Scheme.

REASON: In the interests of highway and pedestrian safety together with the amenities of surrounding residential properties

·        Add car club membership to condition DV43A.

The Committee heard representations against the application from Mr Cabrelli and Ms Morgan who were neighbours.

The Committee heard a representation in support of the application from Mr Huntley, the agent.

The Committee discussed imposing a condition of the hours of use in order to mitigate the impact on the highway, but it was noted that it would not be deemed reasonable to impose such a condition. The condition contained within the report which restricted parking permits was seen as an adequate method of preventing street parking. Though the Committee were mindful of the need to reach a decision on the application before them, they were also mindful of the fact that the premises could be converted to B1 use without planning permission. The Committee did not feel that there was a sufficient level of demonstrable harm in the proposal to justify a refusal.

It was RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the officer’s report.