Agenda item

Description:

This application sought outline planning consent for the redevelopment of the Renshaw Industrial Estate for a multi-residential development of 275 units and 250 parking spaces and publicly accessible green space.

Additional Information:

The Planning Development Manager informed the Committee that amendments had been made to conditions 4 and 20 of the Officer’s report:

Condition 4 (page 35)

4. The development authorised by this permission shall not commence until the Link Road, between Fairfield Avenue and Mill Mead, to the south of the site has been constructed to an adoptable standard, and/or dedicated as public highway, in accordance with the approved drawings for the Link Road.

Reason:-.In the interests of highway safety and the free flow of traffic on the High Street and London Road.

Condition 20 (page 40)

20. No construction, demolition, excavation or delivery traffic shall use the junction of the A308 London Road and Mill Mead, for access to or from the application site.

Reason:-.In the interests of highway safety and the free flow of traffic on the surrounding road network.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Anne Damerell spoke against the proposed development raising the following key points:

·         There were some advantages to the proposal compared with other schemes in the town centre; the flats are bigger and provide more affordable housing

·         Air pollution concerns

·         Concerns over floor level of the buildings and disabled access

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Shaun Moore spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

• Town centre is not an ideal location for the existing industrial use
• The scheme has been presented to officers, members and local people
• Scheme includes land to improve the proposed link road
• Scale steps down to Waters Drive
• 25 affordable housing units will be provided
• Playground to be provided on site or a commuted sum to improve the nearby park off-site.

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

• The principle of development is acceptable
• Air quality concerns
• Pleased some affordable housing is provided on site
• Inadequate affordable housing provided
• Disability access concerns
• Concern with height of buildings
• Inadequate amenity space
• Concern with review and implementation of parking restrictions in the area
• Will be less requirement for car parking in the future
• Query over distance between buildings
• Concern with children’s play area in an area with lots of flats 
• Play space should be provided on site and not a contribution given to improve off site existing provision
• Query over Mill Mead closure

Decision:

The Application was approved as per the Officer’s recommendation subject to the amendments to the conditions referred to above and the prior completion of a S106 agreement to include the following amendment to clause 5 on page 33 of the Officer’s report:

The provision of the open space, including the play space as shown on drawing no. 071-A-11-00 (Rev 01) ‘Proposed Ground Floor Plan’ is to be provided prior to the first occupation of the development.  This will require an application by the developers for the stopping up of the existing highway in Mill Mead.