Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 7 apartments with associated car parking.

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 7 apartments with associated car parking.

The Principal Planning Officer reported the receipt of the comments of the Head of Economic Development; including the opinion that the intensification of residential use should be resisted given that Rotherwas was the main industrial estate.  It was also reported that amended plans had been received which addressed a number of issues highlighted in the report; including details about access and cycle storage and a tree survey.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr. Collins (the applicant) spoke in support of the application.

Councillor W.J.S. Thomas, the Local Member, noted that an existing dwelling would be replaced and felt that there was no reason why this proposal should not be approved.  However, he noted that industrial and residential uses in such close proximity could cause conflict and urged officers to think very carefully about noise attenuation measures; particularly given the importance of businesses in the area to the local economy.

Councillor J.W. Newman felt that the proposal was exciting and should be supported.

Councillor Mrs. P.A. Andrews noted the potential for noise disturbance from adjacent industrial uses and suggested that double-glazed windows should be a specific requirement.  The Central Team Leader noted that recommended condition 4 would require a scheme of noise attenuating measures and suggested that an additional informative note could be added to highlight the issue further.

In response to a suggestion from Councillor Ms. A.M. Toon that an elevator could help residents with young children, the Chairman noted that the intention of the proposal was to provide low cost housing and this might not be achievable if an elevator was required.  The Principal Planning Officer noted that revised plans would be required.  The Legal Practice Manager added that the construction and ongoing maintenance charges of an elevator might negate the other benefits of the application and it might be difficult to defend such a requirement on appeal.

Councillor P.J. Edwards noted the need for the development to work from the outset and welcomed the recommended conditions, particularly 4 and 6.

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs. M.D. Lloyd-Hayes, the Principal Planning Officer advised that a 2 metre wide footway along the frontage of the site, as recommended by the Traffic Manager, had been included in the amended plans.  In response to another question, the Principal Planning Officer explained which trees were considered worthy of retention.

RESOLVED:

That the Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the following conditions and any additional conditions considered necessary by Officers:

1       A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission))

         Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2       A06 (Development in accordance with approved plans)

         Reason: To ensure adherence to the approved plans in the interests of a satisfactory form of development.

3       B01 (Samples of external materials)

         Reason: To ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings.

4       F01 (Scheme of noise attenuating measures)

         Reason: To safeguard the amenity of the area.

5       G01 (Details of boundary treatments)

         Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure dwellings have satisfactory privacy.

6       G10 (Retention of trees)

         Reason: In order to preserve the character and amenities of the area.

7       Any conditions recommended by the transport manager upon receipt of amended plans.

8       Prior to the demolition of the existing dwelling on site, details of the method and site for the disposal of the waste materials arising from the demolition of the dwelling shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the local planning authority.  The demolition and disposal of the waste materials shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

         Reason:  To ensure the appropriate disposal of waste materials.

Informatives:

1       N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of PP Local Plan.

2.      For the purposes of discharging Condition 4, the local planning authority considers that the installation of double glazing should form part of the submission.