Alteration of existing car parking area to form additional spaces.

Alteration of existing car parking area to form additional spaces.

The Principal Planning Officer reported that the applicant was prepared to replace an existing timber fence with a 1.8m high brick wall to provide a more robust boundary between the site and neighbouring properties and also that the consultation period had now expired.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr. Hornsby spoke against the application.

Councillor R. Preece, a Local Ward Member, suggested that further consideration be given to boundary treatments to prevent trespassing into residential curtilages and questioned the possibility of installing a chain across part of the car park which could limit access to the area when the supermarket was closed.  The Principal Planning Officer suggested that these matters could be further explored with the applicant and local residents in consultation with the Local Ward Members or dealt with by condition.

Councillor A.C.R. Chappell, also a Local Ward Member, commented that the layout of the car park did not encourage sensible parking and questioned the need for additional car parking spaces given that most customers appeared to park on the roadside.  He  felt that the access was not fit for purpose and the expansion of the car park would exacerbate existing highway safety problems.

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs. P.A. Andrews about the lack of enforcement action in relation to agreed landscaping obligations as part of the planning permission for the replacement supermarket (CE2001/2182/F refers), the Principal Planning Officer noted that limited resources meant that the enforcement of conditions was often reactive rather than proactive.

Councillor W.J.S. Thomas commented on vehicular and pedestrian safety concerns and felt that the development should not be permitted until pedestrian walkways were put into decent order within the site.

The Central Team Leader noted that Members’ concerns centred on highways safety and noted that the detrimental impact upon residential amenity that could result from the expansion of the car park was a material consideration. 

Councillor Chappell felt that the applicant should take their responsibilities to the local community seriously and should address the highway safety concerns.

The Legal Practice Manager drew attention to the fact that the Traffic Manager had not raised any objections and commented that impact upon amenity was perhaps a more sustainable reason for refusal.

Councillor Preece felt that the car park should be rationalised to make it more user friendly and to encourage drivers not to obstruct the highway.

Councillor P.J. Edwards supported the application, subject to conditions in respect of the matters raised by Members and Officers, and questioned whether an obligation could be sought to provide a traffic order to prevent on street parking.  In response, Councillor Chappell commented that local residents might not welcome the imposition of such a traffic order.

Councillor Ms. A.M. Toon suggested that the wall be constructed prior to the use of the additional parking.

Some Members felt that the landscaping scheme required as part of the original planning permission should be implemented.

In response to a suggestion, the Principal Planning Officer suggested that recommended condition 2 could be expanded to include reference to the requirement of clear signage at the frontage to the store.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

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       A09 (Amended plans).

         Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the amended plans.

3       G04 (Landscaping scheme (general)).

         Reason: In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

4       G05 (Implementation of landscaping scheme (general)).

         Reason:  In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

5       G01 (Details of boundary treatments).

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

6              Prior to the commencement of development, details to include plans of signage to direct customers to the parking area hereby approved shall be submitted for the approval of the local planning authority. The approved signage shall be aerected prior to the first useof the parking area.

Informative:

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