Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2009, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Committee considered the following applications for planning permission and, in accordance with its powers and duties, made the decisions described below.

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

It was reported that the Environment Agency was satisfied with the Flood Risk Assessment that had been submitted with the application.  Eight representations had been received from local residents raising concerns which were outlined in the report for information.  The Committee was advised that one further objection had been received since the report had been written which raised the same concerns addressed in the report.

The Committee was advised that amended plans had been received that noted the following: replacing the large window on the east facing elevation of the sports hall with two smaller windows and inserting a doorway on the south elevation.  It was reported that the internal layouts/floor plans had been amended to take into account comments from the environmental health department. 

            It was reported that Sport England had requested a additional conditions in relation to provision of full details and design of the pitch area layout and details of drainage of the pitches.  The Committee was further advised of an additional condition regarding an update of the travel plan.

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

1.      Standard condition timescales for development commencement.

2.      Prior to commencement approval of materials (Policy BE2).

3.      Prior to commencement of development, a scheme for the provision and implementation of a surface water regulation system to be submitted for approval. (Policy PR16)

4.      Details relating to off-site highway works involving dropped crossings and tactile paving to be submitted and approved. (Policy TP7)

5.      Before site works commence protective fencing to be erected to protect trees to be retained. (Policy BE1)

6.      Conditions relating to work to be carried out in accordance with the submitted tree report. (Policy BE1)

7.      Prior to commencement wheel wash details to be submitted and approved. (Policy BE1)

8.      Conditions relating to final details of vehicle access, parking, servicing etc to be constructed prior to occupation of the school / commencement of use (Policy BE1).

9.      Condition relating to submission and approval of landscaping scheme (BE1, BE2)

10. Condition relating to the submission and approval of any external lighting (BE1, BE2)

11. Planting plan shall be implemented as soon as practical after completion of the development. (Policy BE1)

12. Restricted hours of construction (Policy BE1)
13. Restricted hours of delivery (Policy BE1)
14. No trees shown to be retained shall be damaged in any way as a result of the development (Policy BE1). 

Additional conditions were agreed as follows:

15. Provision of full details of design of pitch area layout;
16. Details of drainage systems;
17. Provision of updated travel plan;
18. Standard Ground investigations remediation condition.

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

            The Committee was advised that Sport England had submitted a formal letter dated 21 September 2009, raising no objection.  However, one further condition was requested for provision of details of design of pitch area layout to ensure it would be in accordance with sport England technical design guidance ‘Natural Turf for Sport’.

            Members discussed the proposal, and the potential increase in traffic flows should the numbers of spectators increase.  It was suggested that Chairmen of Development Control and Urban Renewal could meet together with relevant Officers to study the areas’ car parking needs and public transport options.  

            RESOLVED: That

a)     The Chairmen of Urban Renewal and Development Control meet together with Officers in order to agree a scope to address the traffic flow concerns in the surrounding area to Halton Sports; and

b)     the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1. Standard condition relating to commencement of development (BE1)
2. Condition(s) relating to the details of car parking (TP12)
3. Condition relation to fencing / boundary treatment (BE22); and

An additional condition was agreed as follows:

1. Provision of full details of design of pitch area layout;

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

            It was reported that United Utilities had confirmed that they raised no objections in principle to the application.

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

1. Standards time limit for implementation
2. Requiring colour coating Dark Green BE22.

            The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment which detailed the proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) that was situated on land on both sides of the M6 motorway between Winwick Road, West Coast Main line Liverpool – Manchester railway line and Winwick Lane including the former Parkside Colliery.  It was reported that the site lay within the jurisdiction of St Helens (Merseyside) and Warrington (Cheshire) (the majority within St Helens).

            It was reported that the Council had previously been consulted on the above proposal and the amendments to the application appeared to have addressed the issues relating to the adequacy of rail capacity for the site.

            RESOLVED: That St Helens MBC is advised that no objection is raised to the principle of an intermodal facility at Parkside but that the discrepancies outlined should be addressed.

It was reported that appeals had been received following the Council’s refusal of the following applications: -

09/00123/FUL           Proposed rear conservatory at 288 Liverpool Road  Widnes

09/00177/FUL           Retrospective application for retention of boundary fence to side of 12 Buckingham Avenue Widnes

The Committee was advised that the the following applications had been withdrawn: -

07/00866/FUL           Proposed front boundary fence at 12 Clifton Court Runcorn

09/00263/OUT          Outline application (with all matters reserved) for proposed refurbishment/conversion of existing property to 2 No. dwellings, construction of additional 3 No. dwellings and associated access at 67 Main Street Runcorn

09/00306/FUL           Proposed new roof on dwelling to form loft conversion with rear dormer at 32 Foxley Heath Widnes

09/00318/ELD          Application for Certificate of Lawfulness for change of use of dwelling into 2 No. flats at 47 Mersey Road Widnes

It was reported that the following petitions had been received:

A petition containing 14 signatures was received on 6^th July 2009 objecting to a proposed 7 No. parking bays (within communal grassed area) on Anchor Close, Runcorn (Ref 09/00212/FUL).  The grounds of objection included that the proposal would spoil the ambiance of the close; it would be an open invitation for young people to use car park as a football pitch; that money should be spent on other needs to properties; that there is already parking provision in the Close; and that the proposals are a waste of tax payers’ money. – The application was approved as the proposal was deemed to be compliant with the Council’s Policies.

The Council had received 392 letters of objection, of which 304 are letters that are standardised, and 78 letters of support relating to application 09/00351/COU Proposed change of use from retail (Class A1) to hot food takeaway (Class A5) with new flue and rear fire door at Occasions, Ascot Avenue, Runcorn – the application has been refused.

AVAILABILITY OF OFFICER ADVICE-PLANNING MATTERS

            The Committee was advised that the purpose of the report was to advise Members on changes proposed to the level of service currently given to members of the public seeking advice on planning matters.

            It was reported that due to the recent reduction in the size of the planning team service could only be provided between 9.00am – 1.00pm, which was in line with practice delivered with many other Planning Authorities.  It was noted that this change would enable the relevant officers to concentrate on the processing of planning applications.

            Members agreed that this change in the system made sense.