Construction of a shared footway/cycleway from Outfall Works Road inTupsley through Rotherwas Industrial Estate to the B4399 Holme Lacy Road at Sink Green including a new bridge over the River Wye.

Approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

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 Green, representing Dinedor Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application, and Mr Palmer, the applicant’s representative, spoke in support.

 

The Democratic Services Officer reported the receipt of an email from Councillor Sinclair-Knipe confirming that he was in agreement with the views expressed by Dinedor Parish Council.

 

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes, one of the local ward members, commented on a number of issues, including:

 

·         The application was the first phase of a larger application.

·         The comments from the Parish Council needed to be addressed.

·         Could risk losing funding by deferring the application.

·         Been involved with the steering group as the local ward member for some time.

·         The consultation exercise had been extensive including an open day and various presentations.

·         The committee should support the application.

 

The debate was opened with a Member speaking in support of the application. Some concerns were raised in respect of possible crime and antisocial behaviour associated with the underpass and it was agreed that the safety of the public was paramount. Another point that was raised was a possible contribution from the applicant to assist with secure cycle storage at Rotherwas. The final point that was raised was in respect of the removal and possible translocation of the hedgerow.

 

However another Member expressed concerns in respect of the issues raised by the neighbouring Parish Councils regarding safety concerns at the eastern exit of the proposed route onto the B4399. It was felt that a site visit may benefit members in making a judgement on the highway, pedestrian and cyclist safety issued raised.

 

In response to the initial points raised by the committee, the Principal Planning Officer advised that the proposals would include cycle parking, benches and public art along the route. He added that translocation of the hedgerow could be considered although the quality of the existing hedge was deemed to be fairly low. In respect of the safety issues, he agreed that the exit point at the eastern end of the route was a concern and that it had been addressed in condition 19 of the recommendation. He added that the exit would not be operational until the safety works were carried out and that a scheme was currently being designed to alleviate the concerns.

 

A motion for a site inspection was seconded and a vote was taken. The motion was lost and the committee therefore continued to debate the application.

 

Members continued to speak in support of the application and felt that the proposed route would be an asset to the city. It was noted that any deferral of the application could jeopardise the funding of the route. Members added that the provision of secure cycle routes was paramount to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for the residents of Hereford as well as suggesting that appropriate signage be used to highlight the public transport links and other nearby cycle routes.

 

Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes was given the opportunity to close the debate. She reiterated her opening remarks and made the following additional comments:

 

·         There was one section along the route that was adjacent to a high metal fence. It was noted that the tenant had offered to relocate if finances were available from the project to assist with relocation costs.

 

RESOLVED

 

It be recorded that the Environmental Statement and associated documents including the consultation and other responses received on the Environmental Statement and associated documents have been taken into account in making this decision.

 

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any further conditions considered necessary by officers:

 

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

           

2.         B01 Development in accordance with the approved plans

 

3.         C01 Samples of external materials

 

4.         E01 Site investigation - archaeology

 

5.         G03 Retention of existing trees/hedgerows

 

6.         G04 Protection of trees/hedgerows that are to be retained

 

7.         G09 Details of Boundary treatments

 

8.         G10 Hard and soft landscaping scheme including consideration of translocation of existing hedgerow

 

9.         G11 Landscaping scheme - implementation

 

10.       H27 Parking for site operatives

 

11.       I16 Restriction of hours during construction

 

12.       I20 Scheme of surface water drainage

 

13.       I25 Bunding facilities for oils/fuels/chemicals

 

14.       I33 External lighting

 

15.       I55 Site Waste Management

 

16.       K1 Nature Conservation - access for recording

 

17.       K5 Habitat Enhancement Scheme

 

18.       M08 Flood warning

 

19.       Notwithstanding the approved plans, the last section of the Greenway between Fordshill road and the B4399 hatched green on drawing number shall not be accessible to the public until a scheme of highway, pedestrian and cyclists safety improvement works at the junction of the Greenway and the B4399 has been submitted for the approval in writing to the Local Planning Authority.

 

The approved scheme shall be implemented as approved and completed prior to first use of the last section of the Greenway as defined by the green hatching on drawing number.

 

Details of the means of preventing public access to this section of the Greenway shall be submitted for approval of the local planning authority prior to work commencing on the development and installed as approved prior to first use of the Greenway hereby permitted.  

 

Reason: In the interest of highway, pedestrian and cyclist safety and to comply with policies T6, T7 and T8 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

20.       Prior to the commencement of the development, details of the finish to include the BS paint colour proposed for the bridge shall be submitted for the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.  The bridge should be finished in accordance with agreed colour and maintained thereafter.

 

Reason:  To protect the visual amenities of the area and ensure that the development complies with the requirements of policy DR1 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

21.       Prior to the commencement of the development, a construction and environmental management plan to include details of the construction methodologies and timing of works and an environmental risk management strategy shall be submitted for the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.  The plans should include measures to minimise the extent of dust, noise, vibration, measures to safeguard the biodiversity interests of the site and surroundings and measures to minimise the risk of contamination as set out in the environmental statement.

 

The construction shall be carried out in accordance with the approved construction and environmental management plan and the accompanying methodologies and environmental risk management strategy.

 

Reason: To protect the environment and biodiversity interests of the site, to safeguard the amenity of properties in the locality and to comply with policies DR2, DR4 and NC1 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

22.       Prior to commencement of the development, full details to include scale plans of the proposed site compound to include details of the proposed stock piling of any waste material and the proposed restoration of the compound and haul road areas following completion of the construction works shall be submitted for the approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

The construction compound, waste storage and haul road along with the proposed restoration works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason:  To protect the environment and safeguard the amenity of properties in the locality and to comply with policies DR2 & DR4 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

23.       Prior to the commencement of the development full details of design and location of all signage to be installed along the route shall be submitted for the approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

The signage shall be installed in accordance with the agreed details prior to first use of the Greenway hereby permitted.

 

Reason:  In the interest of highway, pedestrian and cyclist safety and to comply with policies T6 T7 & T8 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

24        M09 Contamination

 

25        M10 Unsuspected Contamination

 

26        Secure covered cycle parking

 

INFORMATIVES:

 

1.         N15 Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC

 

2.         N19 Avoidance of doubt - Approved Plans

 

3.         HN02 Public rights of way affected