Demolition of galvanised drill tower and concrete base, removal of metal fence, erection of new galvanised steel fence, construction of new kerbed area.   Construction of training tower consisting of three framed storeys and roof.  Construction of new metal clad building to house breathing apparatus facilities accommodation for training cage and for briefing.

The application was 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 summing up he advised Members that the application was finely balanced and although it was not explicitly in accordance with Policy HBA6 of the Unitary Development Plan, it was considered that the material considerations outlined in the report outweighed the policy requirements in relation to the Conservation Area.

 

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mrs Sharp-Smith, a neighbouring resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Pryce, the applicant, spoke in support.

 

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

 

·         Members were thanked for attending a site visit.

·         The fire service presence was greatly appreciated and valued in Kingsland.

·         Presentations had been made to the Parish Council in respect of the application but there had been no discussion on the matter.

·         The Parish Council had voted unanimously against the application due to the impact on the conservation area.

·         The application would not enhance or preserve the conservation area.

·         English Heritage strongly objected to the application.

·         All training would take place in the evening or at weekends.

·         Leominster Enterprise Park would be a better location for the training facility.

·         A site at the Enterprise Park had been offered to the applicants at a peppercorn rent.

·         Could the application be deferred for 90 days for further discussions in respect of the site at the Enterprise Park.

 

The debate was opened by a Member of the committee voicing his concerns in respect of the application. It was noted that the committee needed to judge the application on its merits, and that the application was for a substantial development in a conservation area. It was considered that the proposed application would not preserve or enhance the conservation area, a statement that was supported by the Conservation Manager’s comments, and that it should be refused as it was contrary to Policies HBA6 and LA2 of Herefordshire Council’s Unitary Development Plan.

 

In response to a question regarding landscaping, the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that additional screening had been recommended at the eastern boundary of the site and that the proposed condition did address the concerns raised. In response to a further question in respect of car parking, he advised that there was ample parking provision on the site.

 

Members noted that there could be a number of large vehicles attending the site as part of the training exercises.

 

In response to further questions from the Committee, the Principal Planning Officer advised that the colour of the proposed buildings could be controlled through an appropriate condition; that the fire station had been at the site since 1979 and that the site had been a conservation area for a considerable time prior to that date.

 

The Development Manager (Northern Localities) advised Members that the application had to be considered on its merits and that any alternative site proposed was not a material consideration. He added that they should make their decision based on the need for the site against the impact on the conservation area.

 

Members discussed the possibility of deferring the determination of the application for a period of 90 days to give sufficient time for further discussions with the applicant in respect of the proposed site at the Leominster Enterprise Park. The Democratic Services Officer advised Members that they could adjourn the debate for a period of time in accordance with paragraph 4.1.16.24 of the Council’s Constitution.

 

Councillor WLS Bowen was given the opportunity to close the debate. He reiterated his opening remarks and made additional comments, including:

 

·         There was no intention to move the entire fire station to Leominster.

·         The fire service was greatly appreciated by the residents of Kingsland.

·         The proposed screening would take a number of years to mature.

 

A motion to adjourn the debate for 90 days was lost. A vote was therefore taken on the substantive motion to refuse the application due to it being contrary to Unitary Development Plan Policies HBA6 and LA2. Neither the Head of Neighbourhood Planning nor the Locum Lawyer, representing the Monitoring Officer, had requested a further information report, but this motion was also lost. A third motion to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation was then put to the vote and the resolution, as set out below, was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

 

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

           

2.         B01 Development in accordance with the approved plans

 

3.         C01 Samples of external materials

 

4.         G09 Details of Boundary treatments

 

5.         G10 Landscaping scheme

 

6.         G11 Landscaping scheme - implementation

 

7.         I33 External lighting

 

8.         E01 Site investigation - archaeology

 

9.         L01 Foul/surface water drainage

 

10.       L02 No surface water to connect to public system

 

11.       L03 No drainage run-off to public system

 

12.       Prior to commencement of the development, a habitat protection and enhancement scheme must be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority, and the scheme shall be implemented as approved.

 

Reason: To comply with policies NC7, NC8 and NC9 within Herefordshire's Unitary Development Plan in relation to Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and to meet the requirements of PPS9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation and the NERC Act 2006

 

 

INFORMATIVES:

 

1.         N11A Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) - Birds

 

2.         N11C General

 

3          Reasons for granting of planning permission.

 

The proposal is for improved fire and accident training facilities for fire and rescue workers who cover the North Herefordshire Area in accordance with the Hereford and Worcester Fire Service proximity of strategic training buildings data map supplied by the applicants

 

The sequential test in relationship to site selection is considered satisfactory, the applicants having adequately demonstrated why the development should be located adjacent to the existing Kingsland Fire Station.

 

Whilst it is acknowledged that the applicants have submitted amended plans indicating improved landscaping mitigation and with suitably worded conditions attached to any approval notice issued on balance the proposed development is considered acceptable in consideration of landscape/biodiversity impact.

 

However the site is located within the Kingsland Conservation Area, to which it is considered that the development will have a negative impact upon and therefore not considered to be in accordance with Policy HBA6: Development within Conservation Areas, of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

Within close proximity to the site are two listed buildings, (One Grade II* and the other Grade II), in consideration of the separation distance from the site and additional landscape mitigation the proposed development is considered acceptable in consideration of the setting of these listed buildings. The proposed development is also considered acceptable in relationship to the setting of other listed buildings within the vicinity of the site and this includes the setting of Kingsland Castle.

 

The proposed development in consideration of residential amenity and privacy is considered acceptable, as well as public highway issues in consideration of the Fire Station’s location.

 

In consideration of the need to provide adequate training facilities for Fire and Rescue workers within the North Herefordshire area and the sequential test in relationship to the site selection and overall impact on the surrounding landscape, historic environment, and consideration to environmental health issues, on balance the proposed development is considered acceptable. Whilst explicitly not considered to be in accordance with Policy HBA6 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan, it is considered that material considerations identified above outweigh the requirements of the historic environment in relationship to the Conservation Area, the proposal  therefore is considered   to be in accordance with other policies of the said Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

Key Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan Policies are considered to be Policies S1, S11, DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4, DR13, E10, HBA4, HBA6, LA2, NC1 and CF1.