Agenda item

Planning Applications to be Determined by the Committee

Meeting of Development Management Committee, Monday, 11th September, 2006 6.30 p.m. (Item 14.)

Minutes:

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

(i) Plan No. 06/00436/FUL

Proposed erection of 10 No. courtyard houses to the land at Dawsons Dance Centre, Lunts Heath Road, Widnes.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site. It was noted that no representations had been received to date.

The Committee was advised that the Council’s Environmental Health Officer had submitted a full report on the existing buildings, it was noted that all the buildings were constructed of asbestos cement and were likely to deteriorate. The owners had indicated they could not afford to complete significant repair work. It was reported that the very special circumstances in the removal of the asbestos cement buildings were to be weighed against the thought that new housing in principal would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt and was therefore contrary to local and national policy.

Members discussed highway safety and the access to and from the development and it was noted that land at the side of the current entrance/exit road had been bought in order to widen the road therefore making two-way traffic. This would increase visibility when leaving the junction.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved subject to the application not being called in by the Secretary of State following its referral under Green Belt direction and to the following conditions:

1. Standard condition relating to timescale and duration of the permission;

2. Wheel wash condition required for construction phase (BE1).

3. Parking conditions (2 separate conditions) to ensure access and parking 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).

4. Landscaping condition is required to ensure comprehensive details are provided prior to the commencement of development (BE2).

5. Boundary treatment condition is required to ensure details are provided prior to the commencement of development (BE2).

6. Drainage condition, requiring the submission and approval of drainage details (BE1).

7. Construction hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1).

8. Delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1).

9. Materials condition, requiring the submission and approval of the materials to be used (BE2).

10. Site investigation, including mitigation to be submitted and approved in writing (PR14).

11. A condition and removing permitted developments from the property including extension, porches and roof alterations (BE1).

12. An agreed schedule for the removal of the existing buildings act contaminated materials.

Additional conditions to be added were as follows:

(i) Details of right turning lane to be submitted to, agreed and constructed prior to commencement;

(ii) Prior to the commencement of development details of existing site levels and finished floor levels to be submitted and agreed; and

(iii) Boundary treatments and hard surfacing to be removed as part of the condition removing permitted development rights.

(ii) Plan No. 06/00461/FUL

Full application for erection of 101 No. 2 ½, 3 and 3 ½ storey residential dwellings to the land at Cameron Industrial Services Ltd, Cameron House, Hale Road, Halebank, Widnes.

It was noted that this application had been withdrawn.

(iii) Plan No. 06/00502/FUL

Proposed district centre, consisting of 1 No. single storey convenience store, 5 No. two storey retail units, 1 No. tow storey public house and 1 No. three storey apartment block (comprising 12 No. two bed and 6 No. 1 bed) to the land opposite Motherwell Close, Lanark Gardens, Widnes.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site. It was noted that 33 letters of objection had been received on the grounds of which were detailed in the report.

The Committee heard objections from Mr Davidson who spoke on behalf of the residents of Upton Rocks and requested that the Committee withdraw or defer the application as it was felt that more flats would not benefit the community as at present there was a vast number of apartments which still had not been sold. In addition it was felt that there would be major traffic and parking problems if this development was to go ahead.

In reply it was noted that a link road would be built creating some benefit and a local convenience store, retail units and public house would reduce traffic from local residents. In addition it was noted that there were no legal grounds in which to defer the planning application.

An amendment to the report was tabled informing the Committee that the Environment Agency had no objections and had recommended additional conditions to be added.

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

1. Standard condition relating to timescale and duration of the permission;

2. Specifiying 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. Landscaping condition is required to ensure comprehensive details are provided prior to the commencement of development (BE2).

6. Boundary treatment condition is required to ensure details are provided prior to the commencement of development (BE2).

7. Details of the design of the bin storage (BE2).

8. Drainage condition, requiring the submission and approval of drainage details (BE1).

9. Construction hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1).

10. Delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the life of the permission (BE1).

11 Opening hours to be adhered to throughout the life of the permission (BE1).

12. Condition stating that there shall be no external flues on any units (BE2).

13. Condition stating that there shall be no external shutters on any units (BE2).

14. Materials condition, requiring the submission and approval of the materials to be used (BE2).

15. Condition requiring the entering into a legal agreement or other appropriate agreement prior to the commencement of development (BE1).

16. Details of equipment to control the emissions of fumes shall be submitted and agreed in writing (BE1 & PR3).

17. Condition that construction traffic is to use Queensbury Way (BE1)

18. That the A5 use is restricted to Units 1 & 5.

Additional conditions to be added were as follows:

(i) Deliveries to be taken off Queensbury Way (BE1)

(ii) Construction of pedestrian access including 3m cycleway from Lanark Gardens to Upton Rocks Park. Prior to occupation (BE1).

(iii) Chemical storage restriction (PR5).

(iv) Amphibian survey prior to commencement (GE21).

(v) Temporary fencing around the pond (GE21).

(vi) Details of the recycling centre to be submitted prior to commencement (BE1).

(vii) Noise conditions (2 separate conditions) to protect residential amenity and to ensure doors on the public house would have self closers (PR2).

(viii) Prior to the commencement of development lighting details shall be submitted (PR4).

(iv) Plan No. 06/00540/OUT

Outline application for a two storey health centre/children’s nursery including details of layout and means of access for approval to the land opposite Motherwell Close, Lanark Gardens, Widnes.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site. It was noted that nine letters of objection had been received on the grounds of which were detailed in the report.

Members discussed traffic and parking problems and the possibility of the need for a mini by-pass to re-direct the traffic. It was reported that the link road was in the process of being designed and the department was looking for further contributions with hope of commencement early next year.

In addition it was reported that the Environmental Agency had no objections.

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

1. Reserved matters condition, for the submission of and approval prior to the commencement of development.

2. Time limit for the submission of reserved matters.

3. Time limit for the commencement of development.

4. Reserved matters to be submitted and carried out as approved.

5. Materials condition, requiring the submission and approval of the materials to be used (BE2).

6. Drainage condition, requiring the submission and approval of drainage details (BE1).

7. Landscaping condition, requiring the submission of both hard and soft landscaping (BE2).

8. Boundary treatments to be submitted and approved in writing (BE1).

9. Wheel cleansing facilities to be submitted and approved in writing (BE1).

10. 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).

11. Details of the design of the bin storage (BE2).

12. Construction hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development. (BE1)

13. Delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the life of the permission. (BE1)

14. Condition that construction traffic is to use Queensbury Way (BE1)

Additional conditions to be added were as follows

(i) Opening hours 07.00 – 21.00 for the life of the permission (BE1).

(ii) Prior to the commencement of development lighting details shall be submitted (PR4).

(v) Plan No. 06/00542/HBC/FUL

Proposed erection of gates adjacent to 1 Ireland Street, Widnes.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site. It was noted that an objection had been received from the Highways Authority in relation to the use of Stopping Up Orders in such cases.

In addition comments had been received from United Utilities – no objection but require 24 hr access to a water main within the enclosed area. Should access be needed and no key available access would be gained through forced entry. United Utilities would not be held liable for the cost of repairing such damage.