Agenda item

To determine a full planning application from Libra Textiles Ltd for extension to the front of retail unit providing 1767m2 of replacement floor space to an existing retail store.  Demolition of a detached retail unit totalling 2043m2  and remodelling the existing car park.

The Committee considered a report from planning officers, together with an addendum circulated prior to the meeting in relation to a full application for the extension to the front of the retail unit and demolition of a detached retail unit and remodelling the existing car park.

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

The Committee were informed that a biodiversity net gain report has been submitted along with a landscaping plan as part of the application however as the detail does not include sufficient information regarding the maintenance of the landscaping scheme, an additional condition was proposed relating to the management and monitoring of the landscaping and wildlife scheme.

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

·       The principle of the development

·       Potential impact on amenity

·       Impact on character and appearance

·       Impact on highway safety

·       biodiversity

Based on the considerations of the Committee the Chair proposed acceptance of the officers recommendation, including an additional condition relating to the management and monitoring of the landscaping and wildlife scheme.  On being put to the vote 9 members voted for the recommendation with 0 votes against.

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as set out within the officer report and Condition 27 to read as follows:

‘Prior to the construction of any part of the development hereby approved above damp proof course level, a detailed 30-year Landscape and Ecological Management and Monitoring Plan (LEMMP) for the long-term management and monitoring of landscaping and wildlife habitats and species within the application site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This plan shall include details of long-term design, management and monitoring objectives, management responsibilities, timescales and maintenance schedules for all newly created and enhanced habitats within the site. Thereafter, these areas shall be managed and maintained in full accordance with these agreed details unless first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The plan will include details on the creation, enhancement and management of all habitats identified within the Biodiversity Net Gain Report (Ecology Services UK Ltd, No:5329675, March 2024), Statutory Biodiversity Metric (Ecology Services UK Ltd, 1st March 2024) and approved Landscape Plans. Monitoring Reports will be submitted to the LPA for review in years 3, 5 and 10 and 5 yearly thereafter, and will include a Net Gain Assessment update as part of the report. Any changes to habitat management as part of this review will require approval in writing from the LPA.

(Reasons for the Decision: The Committee concluded that having regard to relevant policies contained in the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework the proposed development was acceptable.  It was also determined that the approval of the additional condition will ensure that local wildlife populations are protected).