Agenda item

DEFERRED

Description of application - Demolition of existing structures and the construction of three dwellings, commercial floorspace, private and communal amenity areas, car parking, refuse and bicycle storage.

Oral representations in objection to and in support of the application were received.  Oral representations from Ward Member, Councillor Angela Wilkins, in objection to the application were received at the meeting.

It was reported that further objections to the application had been received and Condition 7 had been omitted from page 96 of Chief Planner’s report. An offer letter dated 1 December 2016 from Summers Solicitors to purchase the site had been received and circulated to Members.

Councillor Wilkins recognised the need for housing but preferred the site to be retained for small light industrial business and was concerned that the applicant had not marketed the site adequately nor acknowledged that an offer to purchase had been received.  She referred to her local knowledge of the vicinity and had parking concerns.

Councillor Douglas Auld had visited the site and the access was very narrow.  In his opinion the main garage building was structurally not sound and that all the buildings appeared tired.

Councillor Alexa Michael liked the proposed design and pointed out that business use would be replaced.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher referred to the Local Development Framework and said that Policy EMP5 had not been met.

Councillor Stephen Wells had noted an increase in the loss of light industrial units in the north of the Borough which prevented small companies to set up and grow and maintained that the principle of losing such sites should be avoided. He said that there was a strong argument for the site not to become residential as then the opportunity for commercial use had been lost.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that the application BE DEFERRED, without prejudice to any future consideration to seek further clarification on the marketing information of the site to ensure compliance with Policy EMP5 of the Unitary Development Plan.