Agenda item

Ward

Laleham and Shepperton Green

Proposal

Erection of a 4m high acoustic fence, with associated landscaping and lighting and amendments to the Unit Base Management Plan at Car Park 11

Recommendation

Approve the application subject to conditions, as set out at Section 8 of the report.

Description:

Erection of a 4m high acoustic fence, with associated landscaping and lighting and amendment to the Unit Base Management Plan at Car Park 11

Additional Information:

An email had been received from the applicant raising the following comments:

1.    Clarification that Car Park 11 already benefits from planning permission for 24-hour parking and unit base use under the existing permissions. The proposal does not change the use of the site or increase the area used as unit base but instead relates to flexibility in the arrival and departure times of trailers associated with productions based at Shepperton.

2.    The use of Car Park 11 as a unit base is relatively infrequent, with the last use taking place in December 2025.

3.    In response to neighbour concerns, the proposed acoustic fence height is reduced to 3.5 metres behind the rear gardens of 29 and 31 Cranwell Grove.

4.    With regard to lighting, no increase in lighting levels is proposed. Lighting attached to the fence would replace existing bollard lighting and that temporary lighting arrangements would continue to operate in accordance with the approved management plan.

5.    Finally, the applicant has confirmed agreement with the recommended planning conditions, subject to a minor amendment to the landscaping condition to allow planting to take place during the next available planting season following installation of the fence.

Condition 5 to be amended as follows:

The extended operational ours including Sunday/Bank Holiday hereby permitted shall not be implemented until the 4m high acoustic fence and additional planting has been fully implemented in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. The additional approved planting shall be fully implemented within the next planting season.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Andrew Smith of Shepperton Studios spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

1.    The proposals reflect resident feedback

2.    Additional evergreen tree planting to be put in place to mitigate any disturbance to surrounding properties

3.    The fence height to the rear of two properties has been reduced

4.    Change to arrival and departure times to allow productions to move between locations and the studio without disruption to shooting schedules

5.    Car Park 11 already has planning approval to operate as a car park for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so there will not be any intensification in usage

6.    A landscaped bund will be erected between the proposed fence and the studio boundary which will be enhanced with evergreen tree planting.

7.    The application would ensure that Shepperton Studios remains globally competitive.

8.    Impact on residents has been mitigated

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Councillor Clarke spoke as Ward Councillor against the proposed development raising the following key points:

1.    Councillor Clarke called in the application for transparency purposes

2.    The natural vegetarian surrounding the site has grown considerably

3.    Further planting is planned as part of the application

4.    This application is only to amend the timings

5.    There will only be a small increase in noise

6.    The 4m acoustic fencing is an improvement

7.    Studios have always worked with and for the community

8.    This application will make the studio’s operations more efficient

9.    Any increase in traffic will be negligible

10. Comfort packs consisting of eye masks and ear plugs are to be considered

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

1.    The application would result in an intensification of use

2.    The additional operating hours are nice to have but are not needed

3.    Local residents are pleased with the additional planting and bung that will be installed to mitigate any increase in noise

4.    Noise monitoring measures will be in place to ensure that any noise generated does not go above 80 decibels during the day and 70 decibels in the evening.

5.    Environmental Health Officers are satisfied that the acoustic fencing would mitigate any increase in noise level

6.    The site already has planning permission to be used as a car park 24 hours p/day and 7 days a week so there will not be an intensification of use

7.    Will any increase in noise level harm residents’ sleep or their health and wellbeing

8.    7 letters of objections had been received and most of the complaints were about the increase in operational hours, the height of the acoustic fencing and the potential increase in the noise level

9.    Stanwell Residents Associations have not objected to this application

10. Extended operating hours should not be started until the acoustic fencing is in situ

Decision: The application was approved with the change to Condition 5