Agenda item

- 11/00156/FUL - Proposed new district centre including 1 no convenience store, 5 no retail units with office space to first floor, and construction of Public House with Manager's accommodation at first floor with associated access, service area and parking at land opposite Lanark Gardens, Queensbury Way, Widnes

Minutes:

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

 

Officers reported that there had been an additional 10 letters of objection to the proposal citing the same grounds as already mentioned in the report.

 

Officers further updated the Committee on traffic issues relating to the scheme.  Members were advised that this proposal was smaller in scale than the previous one and research had shown that it would have a minimal impact on the volume of traffic in the area.

 

The Committee was addressed by Helen Carlin, a local resident, who spoke against the application.  She stated that she had lived in the area since 2003 and had never been consulted on any development of the area, nor had other residents.  She went on to say that a school, health centre, small shops and a community centre were needed and raised concerns over the usage of land for the proposed pub and parking for 106 cars. 

 

Councillor Fry addressed the Committee opposing the application.  He referred to the Unitary Development Plan and its reference to local shops and facilities.  He urged the Committee to defer the item until the residents could be consulted.

 

In response to comments regarding public consultations, Members were referred to the Unitary Development Plan UDP (and to the Halton Local Plan which had preceded it).  These demonstrated that there had been consultation on proposed local centres since the early 1990’s. 

 

Following debate Members still raised concerns over the safety of pedestrians and increased traffic flows on Falkirk Avenue and Queensbury Road.  It was determined however that these did not pose grounds for refusal.

 

RESOLVED:  That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:-

 

  1. Standard condition relating to timescale and duration of the permission;
  2. Condition listing all plans and amended plans (BE1);
  3. Wheelwash condition required for construction phase (BE1);
  4. Parking conditions (2 separate conditions) to ensure parking and servicing areas is provided and maintained at all times.  The use of the premises shall not commence until the vehicle access and parking has been laid out (TP12 & E5);
  5. Condition(s) in relation to details of hard and soft landscaping (BE2);
  6. Condition in relation to boundary treatment details (BE2);
  7. Details of the design of the bin storage (BE2);
  8. Condition that the development is carried out in accordance with the submitted ecological reports and mitigation measures (GE21 and GE25);
  9. Condition that no clearance works shall be carried out during bird nesting season (GE21);
  10. Condition that site is checked for amphibians prior to commencement;
  11. Condition for protective fencing around adjacent pond (GE1 and GE25);
  12. Condition for a wildlife protection plan for the terrestrial habitat and ditch system associated with the adjacent pond (GE25);
  13. Four Environment Agency conditions relating to submission of details of surface water runoff, overland flow, scheme to remove suspended solids and a scheme for foul drainage, oil and petrol separators and installation of trapped gullies (BE1 and PR16);
  14. Construction hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1);
  15. Delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the life of the permission (BE1);
  16. Opening hours to be adhered to throughout the life of the permission (BE1);
  17. Condition stating that there shall be no external flues on any units (BE2);
  18. Condition stating that there shall be no external shutters on any units (BE2);
  19. Materials condition(s), one for the development to be carried out in accordance with submitted details and a second requiring the submission and approval of those materials not yet submitted (BE2);
  20. Details of equipment to control the emissions of fumes shall be submitted and agreed in writing (BE1 & PR3);
  21. Condition that construction traffic is to use Queensbury Way (BE1); and
  22. Condition identifying use class restrictions.