Agenda item

To determine a full planning application from Lidl Great Britain Limited for erection of a new discount foodstore (Use Class E) with access, car parking and landscaping and other associated works.

Speaking rights granted to:

·       Local resident, Andrea Knowles

·       Councillor Brian Burdis

·       The applicant’s agents, Rapleys LLP

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 Lidl Great Britain Limited for the erection of a new discount foodstore (Use Class E) with access, car parking and landscaping and other 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, Andrea Knowles, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Councillor Brian Burdis, the local ward councillor, addressed the Committee on her behalf.

Prior to speaking Councillor Burdis asked that consideration of the application be deferred to allow members of the Committee to attend a site visit to observe the traffic conditions in the area. The Committee were advised that as site visits can cause delays to the planning process they should only occur in exceptional circumstances when the nature of the application or the site is such that only through a site visit would it be possible to give full consideration to such issues. Councillor O’Shea moved that the application be deferred to allow a site visit but as there was no seconder the motion was not put to the vote and the Committee proceeded to consider the application at the meeting.

Councillor Burdis stated that the application did not comply with various policies contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan because it was not consistent with the Murton Gap Masterplan, an alternative preferential vacant site (the former Great Outdoors shop) had not been considered as part of the sequential test for town centre uses, the development would increase traffic congestion on Park Lane, the design of the building would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area and the loss of the 14 homes and their gardens to have been built on the site would be harmful to wildlife, despite the off-site mitigation for farmland birds.

Councillor Brian Burdis, the local ward councillor for the Valley Ward had been granted speaking rights. Councillor Tommy Mulvenna addressed the Committee on his behalf. Councillor Mulvenna questioned the purpose of the Murton Gap Masterplan, as agreed by the Authority and the Government, because the proposed development did not comply with the plan. The plan had designated a site in the north east corner of the area for commercial development but this development was to be in the opposite south west corner. The plan did not provide for any further vehicular access points onto Park Lane. He was concerned about the impact of another access onto Park Lane given its close proximity to the busy junction with New York Lane which was likely to lead to increased and dangerous traffic congestion. 

Marcin Koszyczarek of Rapleys LLP, accompanied by Chris Blyth from Lidl GB Ltd, addressed the Committee to respond to the speakers’ comments. He thanked officers for working with the applicants in bringing forward the application. The site was allocated for housing within the Murton Gap Masterplan but it had been demonstrated that the proposed development would not jeopardise the overarching vision of the plan, evidenced by the fact the Murton Gap applicants and statutory consultees had not objected. The property previously occupied by Great Outdoors was not suitable or available. Its configuration, internal layout and car parking were unsuitable for Lidl’s use, the unit was also situated in an out of town centre location and the property was only available to let and not for sale. Mr Koszyczarek highlighted the benefits of the development in terms of greater consumer choice, investment in the area, employment, vehicle charging points, biodiversity net gain, farmland bird mitigation and highways improvements.

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 details of the proposed vehicular access to the proposed development from Park Lane, Shiremoor; and

b)        the impact of the development on the local highway network and highway safety.

(Councillor Mulvenna left the meeting and took no part in the discussion, voting or decision making in relation to this application.)

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

On being put to the vote, 3 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation and 2 members voted against the recommendation with 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;

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:

-A £10,000 Travel Plan Bond is required. This will have to be paid if the Travel Plan Targets are not met 5 years from first occupation.

-A £2,500 Travel Plan Monitoring Fee (£500 per annum) is required. This is for North Tyneside Council (NTC) Officer time spent monitoring the travel plan delivery, evaluating annual travel plan progress reports and annual survey results as submitted by the Travel Plan Coordinator (TPC).

-A £25,580 farmland bird mitigation contribution is required towards implementing a scheme at the Rising Sun Country Park or alternative site.

(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 the character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, highway safety and biodiversity.)