Agenda and draft minutes

To be informed of the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

There were no substitute members.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Councillor Johnsson declared a non-registerable interest in Item 6 - Unit 13 To 14, Collingwood Centre, Preston North Road, North Shields, Tyne And Wear because he had already pre-determined the application and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 February 2025.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2025 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive the attached guidance to members in determining planning applications and to give consideration to the planning applications listed in the following agenda items.

The Committee received guidance in relation to the principles of decision making when determining planning applications and then gave consideration to the planning applications listed in the following minutes.

To consider a full planning application for change of use of the premises from a retail/commercial unit (Class E) to an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis) including signage, external alterations and associated works.

The Committee considered a report from planning officers, together with 2 addendums circulated in advance of the meeting in relation to a full planning application for the change of use of the premises from a retail/commercial unit (Class E) to an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis) including signage, external alterations and associated works.

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of various maps, plans and photographs.

In accordance with the Committee’s Speaking Rights Scheme Councillor Liam Bones, spoke at the meeting to set out objections to the application. His representations were summarised as follows:

·       The additional noise due to this venue. The venue is 24 hours and there is already noise in the area. Cllr Bones said that the proposal didn’t reflect the Local Plan, and an Adult Gaming Centre should be within a main Town Centre;

·       The proposal is not in keeping with the character of the area, this is a family friendly retail space, and this would change the character of the area. There was already a betting shop nearby so this would saturate the market. There would also be significant impact due the car park lights presumably having to be on all night;

·       The Director of Public Health had already expressed their concerns for this proposal, and this would pose more gambling related harm. The North East already had the highest participation rate for gambling and this would cause further harm;

·       Concerns for anti-social behaviour, crime and safety. Many residents have already experienced significant anti-social behaviour, and this development would attract loitering, especially with it being open 24 hours a day;

·       There were also concerns over traffic, parking and highway safety. The proposal said customer numbers would be low at night, however there was no guarantee of this, and residents should have safe and sustainable access;

·       The application goes against the principles of planning and the only people that would benefit from it would be the gambling operators.

Haris Kasuji, the agent was permitted to address the Committee in support of the application. His representations are summarised as follows:

·       The applicant is a luxury leisure market leader with over 280 premises, the vast majority of which are in retail centres and next to residential dwellings.  Collingwood Centre is a defined local centre, and this complies with the local planning policy;

·       This property has been vacant since 2017 which is detrimental to the local area;

·       The applicant had agreed a condition and there was to be no noise impact and no discernible loss of amenity;

·       The proposal would have measures in place to prevent any crime or anti-social behaviour and would have to adhere to its licencing objectives and premises licence;

·       The applicant has a strict think 25 age policy, and the company invest in staff training to prevent underage gambling. There is always a minimum of 2 members of staff on duty and there is no alcohol served;

·       CCTV and Recording Cameras are reviewed remotely and are monitored live. All venues are also  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC46/24

To consider a full planning application for the erection of indoor padel courts and ancillary facilities (Use Class E(d), with associated areas of hardstanding, means of enclosure, lighting and associated infrastructure.

The Committee considered a report in relation to a full planning application for the erection of indoor padel courts and ancillary facilities (Use Class E(d), with associated areas of hardstanding, means of enclosure, lighting and associated infrastructure (Sequential Assessment received 12.09.24)Full planning application for the erection of indoor padel courts and ancillary facilities (Use Class E(d), with associated areas of hardstanding, means of enclosure, lighting and associated infrastructure (Sequential Assessment received 12.09.24).

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of maps, plans and photographs.

Members of the Committee asked questions of the officers and made comment in doing so the Committee gave particular consideration to:

·       Highways considerations;

·       Noise impacts as well as noise impact on Gosforth Nature Reserve;

·       Ecology concerns.

Based on the considerations of the Committee the Chair proposed acceptance of the officer’s recommendation that the application be approved.

On being put to the vote, 9 members voted for the recommendation and 0 members voted against.

Resolved: that the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.

(Reasons for decision: The Committee concluded that, having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Council’s Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework, the proposed development was acceptable in terms of the principle of development and its impact on the character and appearance of on the area, residential amenity and highway safety).

To consider a phase 3 application for reserved matters as part of the site to form 160 dwellings.

The Committee considered a report for approval of a phase 3 application for reserved matters as part of the site to form 160 dwellings (REVISED PLANS).

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of various maps, plans and photographs.

Members of the Committee asked questions of the officers and made comment. In doing so, the Committee gave particular consideration to:

·         The total amount of dwellings across all of the phases;

·         Thet amount of affordable housing available on this scheme;

·         Ecology concerns;

·         The amount of parking available and the amount of Electric Vehicle charging facilities.

Based on the considerations of the Committee the Chair proposed acceptance of the officer’s recommendation that the application be approved.

On being put to the vote, 9 members voted for the recommendation and 0 members voted against.

Resolved: that the application be permitted with previous conditions from the outline application as well as an additional condition as set out in the report.