Re-development of former council offices at Bath Street, Hereford including change of use from B1 - business to C3 - dwellinghouses to provide a total of 75no.  apartments (comprising 1 & 2 bed apartments). Re-development includes partial demolition of existing buildings (as indicated on submitted drawings), conversion of at former council offices, 39 Bath Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2HQ.           

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The Acting Development Manager gave a presentation on the application. It was summarised that the public benefits arising from the application outweighed the potential impacts on the designated heritage asset (Central Conservation Area) and the application was therefore recommended for approval.

In accordance with the procedure for public speaking Mrs Gale, local resident, spoke in objection to the application. Mr Neep, agent to the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Hyde declared a personal interest in the application as a cabinet support member who had regularly attended the council offices in Bath Street.

In the committee’s discussions of the application the following principal points were made:

·           The development represented much needed city accommodation and made good use of a brownfield site. The plans not only proposed development but created a community in the heart of the city.

·           The plans, including the layout of the site and the incorporation of existing buildings, were commended as an example of high quality design.

·           Sympathy was expressed for local residents who may be affected during any potential construction period but it was acknowledged that planning conditions would be imposed to regulate the building phase, including dust suppression. The planting of mature trees on site was requested to address concerns regarding the impact of the development on the visual amenity of neighbouring properties. The enhancement of landscaping on the site was also raised as a method of mitigating some impacts including noise and views.

·           The absence of consultation with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was noted and it was felt that applications of significant size should warrant consultation with local health bodies. The council and the developer had responded positively to concerns expressed by the City Council and the Hereford Civic Society.

·           The installation of PV cells on the flat roofing sections of the development was raised which could provide energy production for the locality.

·           The installation of a sprinkler system in the proposed buildings and the provision of stairwells were questioned.

·           The Chairman explained that the concerns of the local resident regarding dust from the site would be raised with the local ward member and contact with building control at the council should be maintained to ensure any issues which arose were reported promptly and addressed.

The Acting Development Manager responded to the queries raised: the CCG had been approached during the consultation; the sprinklers and the stairwells were issues which would be addressed during the building regulations stage; condition 15 ensured the screening of the site on Lloyd Street; the installation of PV cells had not been included in the designs due to the energy efficiency of the fabric-first approach to construction, their appearance, cost and future maintenance. The Lead Development Manager confirmed that conditions had been proposed for parking, restricting the hours of construction and the production of a Construction Environmental Management Plan which would relate to dust and would be enforced.

Councillor JA Hyde and Councillor WLS Bowen proposed a motion to approve the application in accordance with the officer recommendation. The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

INFORMATIVES:

The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received. It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.

(The meeting adjourned between 12.10 p.m. and 12.15 p.m.)