Agenda item

Description:

This application sought the change of use of existing land to a car park with a grill grass reinforcement mesh surface treatment together with installation of new fencing and entrance gate with restricted hours access for a temporary period until 31st October 2019.

 

Councillor Leighton called in this application, and submitted Very Special Circumstances to demonstrate that the benefits of the proposal outweigh any harm to the openness of the Green Belt.

 

Additional Information:

Paragraph 7.5 has been amended to reflect that there are on-street parking restrictions in the vicinity, including both double yellow lines in places and single yellow lines with a restriction of 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday during the months between May and October.

 

A slide was presented to show these restrictions to the Planning Committee meeting.

 

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at committee meetings, Chris Murdoch spoke for the proposed development and raised the following key points:

 

·         SBC has assisted in recreational provision on the river

·         Lots of facilities in the area need car parking

·         Loss of 200 car parking spaces in immediate area has impacted on vitality

·         Adverse impact on residential amenity

·         Residents associations support the proposal

·         Will provide much needed parking

·         Location is a hub for river uses

·         Pick up/drop off location

·         Many clubs in immediate location

·         Will free-up existing parking spaces

 

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at committee meetings, Ward Cllr Mrs V Leighton spoke for the proposed development and raised the following key points:

 

·         Meets very special circumstances for recreational facilities

·         Supports relationship with river

·         Parking restrictions exist all summer when there are lots of activities

·         Will assist with community parking

 

 

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

 

·         Meets very special circumstances test in Green Belt by meeting a demand for specific river uses

·         Popular destination, no public transport

·         Ferry service requirements

·         National events

·         Disabled access point to river

·         Will provide community parking

·         Parking provision may be misused

·         Refusal includes flooding but surface is permeable

·         Loss of car parks at Lock

·         River events throughout summer

·         Very special circumstance –allowing parking for canoe training outweighs harm

·         Not 24 hour therefore flooding concern addressed

·         Public cannot park at carpark adjacent to Thames Court

·         Very special circumstances parking to people wanting to use the area, canoe users, Weybridge Mariners Club.

·         Permeable site

·         Temporary nature of use

·         Very special circumstances – promoting health and wellbeing

·         Could additional disabled access be provided

·         NPPF s145(b) use in connection with sports /rec

·         Green Belt – but temporary proposal - therefore not a significant impact

·         Loss of an event due to lack of parking

·         Community orientated business

·         Allowing access through private land

·         One car park has already change its tenure (now private)

·         GPDO use of land allows 28 days to address event requirements

·         Is it a pay carpark?

·         Public have requested this

 

Recorded Vote:

Councillor Beardsmore called for a recorded vote on the motion to refuse the application.

The voting was as follows:

 

For: 9	Councillors: R.A. Smith-Ainsley (Chairman), H.A. Thomson (Vice-Chairman), I.J. Beardsmore, R. Chandler, S. Doran, T. Evans, A.L. Griffiths, N. Islam, S.C. Mooney
Against: 4	Councillors: C. Barnard, S. Burkmar, M. Francis, R.W. Sider (BEM)

 

The motion was carried.

 

Decision:

The recommendation to refuse was agreed.

 

Adjournment:

On the conclusion of Application 18/01043/FUL, at approximately 21:25hrs, the Chairman called for a 10 minute adjournment, during which time *Councillor Chandler gave her apologies and left the meeting.  In addition, the following Councillors also left: The following Councillors left the meeting:-

Councillor S. Burkmar

Councillor R. Chandler

Councillor A.L. Griffiths

 

*amended by Planning Committee at meeting on 09/01/2019.