Agenda item

21/01774/FUL, Land at Former School House, Sandy Lane, Wideopen

To determine a full application from Mr W Collard for erection of gym with associated parking.

 

Speaking rights granted to:

·       Local residents, Keith & Joy Dowd

·       Councillor Michelle Fox

·       The applicant’s agents, George F White

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers in relation to a full planning application from Mr W Collard for erection of gym with associated parking.

 

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 local resident, Keith Dowd, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. He stated that the development by virtue of its size and position would be detrimental to the appearance of the area. Reference was made to the reasons given by the Planning Inspector in dismissing an appeal against a refusal to grant planning permission for residential properties on the site which highlighted the importance of the scale, mass and form of any development on the character and appearance of the conservation area. Mr Dowd was concerned about the size of the development, which exceeded the footprint of the former school house and comprised two storeys. Reference was also made to the potential for noise and light arising from the development affecting neighbouring residents. Mr Dowd contended that the development was not in keeping with the area, it would not preserve and enhance the conservation area and the applicant ought to look at alternative and more appropriate locations for a gym.       

 

Councillor Michelle Fox had been granted permission to speak to the Committee as ward councillor for the Weetsalde Ward. Councillor Fox was unable to attend the meeting and so she submitted a written statement which was considered by the Committee.

 

Hannah Wafer of George F White addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant to respond to the speakers comments. She stated that the applicant had worked with officers to prepare a planning application which was in accordance with the Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.  She acknowledged the concerns that had been raised and these had been subject to due consideration. The opening hours of the gym were to be restricted, a noise assessment was to be undertaken to ensure that appropriate mitigations would be secured, the separation distance from the development to neighbouring residential properties would be over 20 metres, the vehicular access and car parking had been agreed with the highways officer, the contemporary design of the gym was considered to be appropriate for the conservation area and a sequential assessment had demonstrated that there were no suitable, available or viable sites in local town centres.

 

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 proposed number of car parking spaces within the site;

b)        the capacity of Sandy Lane to accommodate any overspill car parking;

c)        provision for vehicles turning right into Sandy Lane from the B1318; and

d)        the impact of the development on highway safety.

 

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

 

On being put to the vote, 5 members of the Committee voted for the recommendation, 2 members voted against the recommendation and 1 abstained.

 

Resolved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the planning officers report.

 

(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.)

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