Agenda item

The Principal Planning Officer submitted a report to the Committee which sought approval for the construction of an industrial building to be used as B2/B8 business use, which would provide industrial/warehouse space with ancillary offices. The proposal included the building and a wider site area comprising car parking, hard surfaced yard and associated landscaping. Members’ attention was drawn to the addendum which contained amended conditions including the removal of Condition 7 as it was a repeat of Condition 6 in respect of parking requirements, and a new Condition 7 in respect of flood issues. It was explained that the applicant had operated in Milton Keynes for a number of years and was looking to relocate to a larger site. There were no policy objections or objections from statutory consultees and the Local Flood Authority had raised no objections to the application, subject to conditions which were contained within the report.

Helen Marks, the agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the application. She advised that the applicant had outgrown its current location and was looking to expand its operation. 50 staff would be employed initially, with the potential to increase these numbers by a third as demand grew. She noted that the scheme had been amended following consultee responses.

In response to questions, the Committee heard that regarding paragraph 4.1 of the report, the footpath diversion/stopping up related to a previous Section 257 application considered by Committee, however officers were waiting for this development scheme to be determined by the Committee before progressing with confirmation of the footpath diversion/stopping up Order. The footpath diversion was already in place in place on site.

Members discussed the report.

Councillor Connolly proposed and Councillor Clark seconded that the officer recommendation be approved. The recommendation contained within the report were put to a vote and was unanimously declared carried.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and reasons as set out in the report and with amendments to conditions – removal of Condition 7 and new Condition 7 (flood risk)

New Condition 7:

The development hereby shall be carried out in accordance with the approved flood risk assessment (ref SHED EdgarMobbs FRDA rev D dated 31 May 2022) and the following mitigation measures it details:

·       No development / use of land within flood zone 3b as shown in section 3.2 of the FRA.

·       No alterations to land levels in the southern part of the site which lie within flood zones 3a and 3b.

·       Finished floor level of the building should be set a minimum of 300mm above the 0.5% (1 in 200) plus climate change flood level.

These mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation and subsequently in accordance with the scheme’s timing/phasing arrangements. The measures shall be retained and maintained thereafter throughout the lifetime of the development.

Reason: To secure a satisfactory standard of development, to prevent flooding elsewhere and to reduce the risk of flooding within the site and to future occupants.