Agenda item

To determine a full planning application from Fordinghall Ltd for construction of 12no residential two storey terraced dwellings with private parking spaces and associated works.

Speaking rights granted to:

·       Local resident, Stephen Overy

·       The applicant, Fordinghall Ltd

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers, together with an addendum circulated prior to the meeting, in relation to a full planning application from Fordinghall Ltd for construction of 12no. residential two storey terraces dwellings with private parking spaces 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 a local resident, Stephen Overy, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. He stated that whilst he had no objection in principle to development of the site he referred to the lack of available car parking spaces on Esplanade which was one of the few streets in the area without any parking restrictions. He envisaged that the construction of new homes, even with provision for 12 car parking spaces within the site, would create greater demand for parking on Esplanade and he suggested that parking restrictions should be extended should the development proceed. He also referred to the increasing number of properties which had installed dropped curbs to allow access to off street car parking. This had reduced the amount of on street parking and was detrimental to the character and appearance of the Victorian street.

Dave Parsons of Artisan Architecture, accompanied by Bernard Dunner of Whitehall Property Management, addressed the Committee to respond to the speakers’ comments. He acknowledged the car parking pressures in Esplanade but emphasised that the proposed properties would each have an off street parking place. These places would be safer and more secure than Esplanade and they had been designed to ensure that the amount of parking available on the adjacent back lane was not reduced.   

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

a)        the impact of the development on the width, and access to, the back lane to rear of the site; and

b)        the processes available to the Authority and ward councillors, separate to the planning application, to survey residents of Esplanade as to possibility of introducing a residents parking scheme.

The Chair proposed acceptance of the planning officer’s recommendation.

On being put to the vote, 7 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation, 0 voted against and there were 2 abstentions.

Resolved that (1) the Committee is minded to grant the application; and

(2) the Director of Regeneration and Economic Development be authorised to issue a notice of grant of planning permission subject to:

i)    the conditions set out in the planning officers report, incorporating those amendments set out in the addendum to the report;

ii)    the addition, omission or amendment of any other conditions considered necessary by the Director of Regeneration and Economic Development, and;

iii)   completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure a financial contribution for the following:

- Coastal mitigation £4,044

- Off-site tree planting £900

(Reasons for decision: The Committee concluded that, having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Council’s Local Plan 2017 and National Planning Policy Framework, the proposed development was acceptable in terms of the principle of development and its impact on residential amenity, the character and appearance of the area, ecology and highway safety.)

(At the conclusion of this item Councillor L Bones left the meeting.)