Agenda item

Description of application – Demolition of the existing club house buildings, erection of a part four and part five storey building to provide 32 residential flats comprising of 13 x 1 bed and 19 x 2 bed with 23 parking spaces and enabling the approved redevelopment of Track Pavilion, Norman Park, Hayes Lane to provide a part single and part two storey multi-sports facility and associated works under planning reference (ref. 18/01660/FULL1).

Oral representations were received from Mr Stuart Davies who objected to the application on the following grounds:-

·  the unsafe nature of the site access;

·  the proposed scale of the development;

·  driver and visibility issues;

·  increased vehicle movements; and

·  the introduction of a traffic light system would not ensure driver/pedestrian safety.

In response to Member questions, Mr Davies said he was not road safety audit qualified but did provide highway design responses to road safety audits. In regard to ensuring access for emergency vehicles, Mr Davies considered this to be the responsibility of the applicant and pointed out that regulations required a pinchpoint of no less than 3.1m for this.

Oral representations in support of the application were received from the applicant’s agent who gave the following responses to Member questions:-

·  the applicant was prepared to accept a condition in relation to  active electric car charging points;

·  when vehicles entered the site, the holding area for exiting vehicles would prevent drivers meeting halfway. No holding area would be located on the public highway;

·  the Transport Statement outlined where the philosophy for the proposed traffic light system had originated. The system needed to co-exist with access proposals for large vehicles such as refuse lorries and fire engines; the emergency services had been consulted on the application and no objections had been raised.

Oral representations were received from visiting Ward Member Councillor Neil Reddin who suggested that Members defer the application to seek:-

·  a reduction in the scale and height of the proposed development. In its current form, it would be overbearing and out-of-character with the surrounding area;

·  widening of the proposed access road; and

·  safety improvements for pedestrians.

The Development Management Team Leader – Major Developments reported that one late objection had been received which raised similar issues to those already contained in the report.  Comments from Sport England in support of the application had been received and circulated to Members. A condition requiring 100% active vehicle charging points would be added.

Councillor Terry welcomed the provision of new homes located in an area with easy access to public transport networks. No objections had been received from the Highways Department or Sport England. Councillor Terry requested that a condition be added requiring the work at the Norman Park site to be completed before this development took place to avoid a situation where the housing was completed but the work in Norman Park was not. He also suggested a condition be added which required a viability assessment to be undertaken at a later date.

The Development Management Team Leader – Major Developments agreed that a condition regarding the Norman Park works could be added. In regard to a viability assessment being carried out at a later date, this was already included in the Section 106 Agreement. Members were also informed that the traffic light system was privately owned and would be paid for by the developer.

Councillor Fawthrop raised concerns with access to and egress from the site; he moved that the application be deferred to seek a more positive solution for this element of the scheme. He suggested consideration be given for traffic to exit via Saville Row. Councillor Onslow seconded the motion for deferral to seek other ways to access the site so emergency vehicles could gain entry unhindered.

Councillor Harris considered the proposed development would fit well within the street scene and would not lead to loss of privacy. She welcomed the provision of new properties and moved that permission be granted.

Councillor Wilkins seconded the motion to grant permission and stated that the issues raised in regard to highways had been addressed in the report.

Councillor Joel noted that a road safety report had been undertaken by an independent company which raised no concerns. The fire brigade had been consulted and they had raised no objections to the application. He suggested a condition be added to incorporate street lighting along the access road.

Councillor Owen raised serious concerns in regard to fire safety. He agreed that the access road to the site could be widened and he was disappointed that the traffic light system appeared to be untested elsewhere.

Councillor Huntington-Thresher reported that there was no barrier along the first 10m of the access road and suggested that the pedestrian footpath be relocated to the opposite side of the road. He supported deferral to seek improvements to the waiting area and access road.  He also suggested the addition of a slab condition.

The Development Management Team Leader – Major Developments confirmed that the requirement to provide a fire hydrant would be included in the fire condition.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE GRANTED SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR COMPLETION OF A SECTION 106 AGREEMENT as recommended and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Assistant Director, Planning.  The following would also be added:-

·  a condition to ensure that work at the Norman Park site was started before commencement of this scheme.

·  a slab level condition;

·  a street lighting condition;

·  the requirement to provide a fire hydrant to be included in the fire conditions; and

·  a condition requiring 100% active electric vehicle charging points.