Site for B1(C) Light Industrial, B2 General Industry and B8 Storage and Distribution Uses, together with Motor Vehicle Showroom, Ancillary Nursery, Access and Associated Works.

Approval of the application was delegated to Officers subject to further discussions regarding potential highway improvements associated with the site.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Pudge, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Green, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor KS Guthrie, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

·         The application was generally supported although there were some concerns in respect of the access to the site.

·         The Parish Council had also expressed concern regarding the increase in industrial land outside of that designated within the Unitary Development Plan.

·         The proposed development coupled with the proposed green waste site would result in a significant increase of traffic on the A49.

·         The speed of traffic passing the junction onto the site is a concern.

·         The short turning lane also causes problems for HGV’s turning into the site.

·         The 50mph speed limit should be extended past the entrance of the site.

·         There was also an issue with vehicles turning into Upper Wellington. A slip road at this turning would address the problem.

·         A meeting had been scheduled with the Highways Agency to discuss concerns regarding this stretch of the A49.

·         Improvements should be made to the layout of the junction; a 50mph speed limit put in place; and improvements to the Moreton-on-Lugg bus stop should be made prior to the development being approved.

Members discussed the application and were broadly in support of it, however some concern was expressed regarding the access to the site from the A49. The improvements to the cycle network and a dedicated bus service to the site were welcomed and the biodiversity on the site was referred to.

The Committee thanked the case officer for arranging a site visit, which they considered had been beneficial and assisted in making a decision on the application. Mr Pudge was also thanked for attending and sharing his concerns in respect of the access to the site. Members considered that his concerns should be addressed and therefore proposed that the approval of the application be delegated to officer’s named in the scheme of delegation to officers subject to further discussions with the applicant in respect of the highway issues on the site.

Members also noted that the applicant was investigating the possibility of reopening the rail link to the site. This decision was welcomed and Members noted that this could reduce the number of HGV’s having to access the site by road.

In response to two issues raised by the Committee, the Principal Planning Officer advised that improvement works were planned for the Starting Gate roundabout in early 2014 and that there may be limitations on the highway improvements that could be achieved at the site junction as the Highways Agency were responsible for the A49.

Councillor Guthrie was given the opportunity to close the debate. She reiterated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157