Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2017, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

In order to avoid any allegation of bias Councillor R Hignett took no part in the following item and as he had been involved with the scheme on Executive Board.

Councillor Cole entered the room at 1835 hours.  As this was part way through the Officers’ presentation of the following item, the Council’s Legal representative reminded the Committee that Councillor Cole would be unable to participate in the debate or vote on the item.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

Officers advised that since the publication of the agenda and update list, one further representation had been received.  It stated that an additional Aldi store was not required and raised concerns over increased congestion and the ability to turn right out of Sutton Park.  Also reported were an additional 5 postcard style representations received from the publicity undertaken by Aldi, which were in support of the proposal.

The Committee was addressed by Mrs Marquis-Davies, a local resident of Sutton Park who did not object to Aldi being built but had concerns relating to:

·       Noise during the build and after from late night shoppers for example;

·       Noise from the public house late at night and during summer;

·       Increased volume of traffic and noise;

·       Residents opposite the road would be most affected – would the applicant pay for triple glazing on their properties;

·       The addition of a path adjacent to the road; this will be noisy;

·       Pedestrians will be unsafe crossing a busy road;

·       Northwich Road was a problem now and this would be exacerbated by the development; Saltwood Drive was a problem also;

·       Traffic lights should operate at the junctions which would reduce the speed of traffic coming from the roundabout; and

·       ASB would be encouraged on a development of this type.

George Brown from Aldi then addressed the Committee and explained that the development included – a quality new clubhouse for the Linnets Football Club, a Marston’s Public House which was a respectable family oriented outlet; A Subway Shop and Vets for Pets outlet.  He also made the following comments:

·       He confirmed that the Aldi branch on Trident Park was not closing;

·       The scheme would create approximately 100 jobs between the outlets for the local population;

·       They would be adding 50 trees on the site;

·       Improvements to highways would be made – including the widening of the road; alterations to road markings and the inclusion of a pedestrian crossing;

·       A noise impact assessment had been carried out with no adverse impact on nearby properties being reported; and

·       The Aldi deliveries would be made on the east side of the site, away from residents thus minimising the potential for noise disturbance.

He finalised by saying that the development complied with the necessary planning policies.

Following Members’ debate and queries Officers explained the details of the work carried out in the noise impact assessment and added that the Council’s Environmental Health Officer had no objections.

In response to the footpath adjacent to the road, Officers advised that this had been removed from the plans and went on to explain the highway improvements, as discussed in the published AB Update List.

With regards to the residents request for triple glazing it was confirmed that the results of the noise impact assessment were that this would not be required.

Further to Members’ queries it was confirmed that the Committee could stipulate the hours of trading for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Committee was advised that his item had been withdrawn by the applicant.  Officers informed Members that similar a scheme had been received from the applicant for another plot within the 3MG site (application 16/00061/FUL).  As the same policies were applied to the new scheme and the new site had already received outline planning permission, Officers requested that this new scheme be delegated to Officers for a decision.  This was approved by the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That determination of the new scheme submitted by the applicant be delegated to the Operational Director – Planning, Policy and Transportation, for determination.

The following applications had been withdrawn:

16/00490/HBCFUL

Proposed construction of new park pavilion at Crow Wood Park, Bancroft Road, Widnes, Cheshire.

16/00545/TPO

Proposed single storey rear extension at 76 Heath Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7NU.