Agenda item

To determine a full planning application from Mr Ali Rezaei for the Erection of a fuel filling station, convenience store, canopy, petrol pumps, with associated access and car parking. (AMENDED PLANS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SUBMITTED).

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers, together with an addendum circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to a full planning application from Mr A Rezaei for the erection of a fuel filling station, convenience store, canopy, petrol pumps, with associated access and car parking at the Redburn, Wallsend Road, North Shields.

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 Mr Singh addressed the Committee in relation to his concerns about the application.  He explained that there was currently a lot of anti-social behaviour in the area and he did not consider that there was a need for a further off licence.  He also explained that there were already 5 petrol stations in the area.  He considered that the traffic surveys used for the report were not a true record as at the time they were taken the schools were closed and the buses were on strike.

Councillor R O’Keefe addressed the Committee.  She explained that the development would create a five-armed roundabout and that on occasions traffic was backed up to the tunnel.  She also explained that a petrol station would increase the volume of traffic in the area and that due to the location access to the petrol station would be difficult.  The increase in traffic would impact on residents getting to work as there were already problems in the area.  She referred to the station potentially attracting anti-social behaviour to the area, especially as it was proposed that the station would be open 24 hours per day.

Mr Rezaei, the applicant, was permitted to address the Committee in support of the application.  He explained that the previous public house on the site was more likely to lead to anti-social behaviour than a petrol station and convenience store.  He also explained that between 11pm and 7am all sales would be made via a window and that no one would be allowed into the shop.  He suggested that the traffic survey would have recorded more traffic due to the bus strike and not less as had been suggested.

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 modelling of the traffic movements to and from the site;

b)       the proposed actions taken to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour in the area;

c)        Conditions to reduce issues in relation to noise and odours from the development;

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

On being put to the vote, 8 members voted for the recommendation and 0 voted against the recommendation.

Resolved that the application be permitted

(Reasons for the Decision:  The Committee concluded that having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Local Plan 2017 and the 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.  The impact on nearby residents, the street scene and the highway network was also considered acceptable.)