Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair advised of the forthcoming site visit on Tuesday 16 January 2023.

Approved subject to conditions.

The Committee considered the full application for the erection of a single deck car park with under croft and surface level car park together with vehicular access to the site from Lauda Drive and St James Road. The removal of existing car parking and its replacement with landscaping including a covered walkway, refurbished bridge, new pedestrian and cycle bridge, gatehouses, kiosks, cycle hub and solar panels together with the demolition of two dwellings associated development. Outline application (with all matters reserved except access) for the erection of a marketing building, health and well-being hub, extension to unit 5, extension to unit 1, pedestrian bridge together with associated development.

The Principal Planning Officer, Andrew Longbottom, outlined the information in the report and Committee Updates and provided a presentation which included maps, plans, site layout and photographs from various viewpoints to provide contextual information.

Simon Wheeler addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Objections and concerns included:

·       Lack of consultation with local businesses affected by the proposed development

·       Increased traffic movement through the cul-de-sac and associated risks of congestion in St. James’ Road

·       The proposed traffic management plans in St. James’ Road and the impact on business delivers, staff and customers

·       Impact on staff egress and ingress

·       Road safety risks associated with the influx of additional vehicles and large vehicles in the turning head on St. James’s Road

·       Contra to National policy

·       No mechanism to secure, local economic benefits

·       Would not provide local employment.

Nick Pinney addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Objections and concerns included:

·       Opening hours and proposed peak traffic flow to and from the Mercedes site would conflict and impact both staff and peak customer access to their business

·       Potential restriction of future growth on the Travis Perkins site

·       The restriction of parking for customers

·       The impacts on the highway network

·       Road safety

·       Impact on the trade of local businesses.

Ian Smith, the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application and provided an overview of the reasons for, and the benefits of, the proposed development.  And provided information regarding:

·       A commitment to be Net Zero by 2030, inclusion of PV panels and EV charging points

·       Provision of an improved environment for the increased work force

·       Reduction on the reliance on car usage

·       The landscaping scheme would provide a biodiversity net gain of 10%

·       Significant investment would attract sponsors

·       Highway mitigation measures had been agreed with the Highway Authority

The Development Management Manager clarified that the impact of additional traffic on a typical day on St. James’ Road had been assessed.  The traffic management plan would include mitigation measures to address concerns in the event of a worst-case scenario occurring.

During the course of the discussion and debate the Committee considered:

·       The extent of the Traffic Impact Assessment and the consideration given to the impact on the surrounding highways network. Scrutinised the background evidence that supported the transport assessment and the outcome of the findings

·       The emergency services requirement for free movement to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.