Agenda item

Description:

This Item was a Planning Application which sought the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of a part 2-storey/part 3-storey/ part 4-storey/ part 5-storey building to provide 58 flats (33 no. 1-bed and 25 no. 2-bed), together with associated access, parking and amenity space.

Additional Information:

The Planning Development Manager reported the following:

1.    One late letter of representation had been received. The issues raised were already covered in the report.

2.    An additional response had been received from Head of Neighbourhood Services regarding the proposed bin stores. She had requested that a condition is imposed requiring the two separate bin stores have a locking system for residents to control access, particularly to the bin store in Core A which is more limited in size. As this is a management issue, it is best dealt with by attaching the following informative to the decision notice:

Informative

The applicant is advised that the use of the bin store in Core A (which is limited in size) should be limited to the properties immediately either side of Core A stairwell and the remainder of the properties will only be able to access the bin store in Core B. This should be achieved by either a locking system with residents provided with relevant keys or a locking key pad.

An email has been received from the applicant requesting changes to some of the conditions listed in the committee report. Whilst most of the suggested amendments to the conditions are not to be changed, it is recommended that changes are made to the following conditions:

Condition 16

Prior to occupation of the development, the highway works shall be delivered in accordance with drawing no. 101 Rev. A.

The approved works shall be implemented and completed in full prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted.

Condition 20

The construction of the building hereby permitted shall not commence until details of the design of a surface water drainage scheme have been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority. Those details shall include:

a)    A maintenance plan showing the maintenance regimes for each SuDS element and who will be responsible for maintaining these.

b)    An exceedance flow plan that shows where water will drain to during exceedance or system failure.

c) A construction phase plan explaining how the drainage system will not be compromised during construction. (to include details of how pollutants and sediments from construction will be managed to prevent being washed into the watercourse).

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s public speaking procedures, Paul Butt spoke for the proposal raising the following key points:

·         A hotel has been approved for the 2nd time on the site in August 2017.

·         Will make a significant contribution to housing need

·         Building will be slightly lower/smaller than hotel scheme

·         Scheme reduced following discussion with officers from 63 to 58 flats

·         Site is in a highly accessible location

·         Some conditions should be re-worded

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

• Concern over lack of affordable housing
• Public transport concerns
• Query over Highways England’s comments
• Will be a net increase in traffic
• Spelthorne badly needs housing provision
• Is a better development than approved housing scheme
• Site is 10 minute walk to the station
• Design by crime condition needed
• Will create more overlooking than the hotel scheme
• Will have less cars than hotel scheme

Decision:

The application was approved as per agenda subject to the prior completion of a S106.