Agenda item

The Area Lead Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and proposed plans.  He noted further representations had been received from residents of Clarence Court raising concern regarding the extra traffic congestion onto the hospital roundabout and the pedestrian safety with regard to the proposed pavement layout.

He explained that this application was referred for committee consideration given the significance of the development to the Yeovil Eastern Corridor Highway Project and representations made by the public.  He made no further updates and that the recommendation was to approve the application for reasons as set out in his report.

Eileen Knight a member of the public spoke in objection to the application.  She believed the traffic from this second exit would have a serious impact on the flow of the traffic onto the hospital roundabout and raised safety concern regarding the significant increase in traffic coming round the blind corner from Westminster Street round onto Clarence Street. She also raised concern regarding the current parking of lorries and refuse lorries using Clarence Street and the safety of the pedestrian using this area.

John Rawlins a local resident also spoke in objection to the application. He raised concerns regarding the increase in traffic flow along Clarence Street and the splitting of the pavement in order to make way for the exit.  He wished that a pedestrian crossing be provided to aid the local residents, especially the elderly and disabled who wish to cross between the flowing traffic exiting out onto Clarence Street.

Richard Needs, Somerset County Council the applicant then addressed the committee.  He explained that the original planning permission granted in 2005 had included this extra exit onto Clarence Street.  Unfortunately this had since elapsed due to the hospital roundabout works not complete; however these works have now been finalised and therefore a the need to bring this forward again. He confirmed that due to the gradient and plan of the proposed exit it will protect the speed which cars will exit onto Clarence Street.

During a short discussion it was confirmed to members that a barrier would be in force at the exit from 8pm each night and that the proposed plan to include tactile paving at the exit point would ensure sufficient access to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

Following a further short debate members appreciated the concerns of the local residents, however believed this would take the pressure off the traffic flow at the current exit onto Queensway and although may increase traffic onto the Hospital roundabout it would alleviate traffic from the Horsey roundabout and therefore improve the traffic flow overall.

It was then proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the officers recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED:

That application 16/01678/FUL be approved subject to the following:

Grant permission for the following reason:

01.       This proposal will benefit the local highway network whilst preserving the setting of the adjacent listed buildings and the Conservation Area and safeguarding residential amenity. 

As such the application accords with the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and policies EQ2, EQ3 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents:

            a)         Location Plan, Drawing No. MJ004009-PL-001

            b)         Red-Line Plan, Drawing No. MJ004009-PL-002

            c)         General Arrangement, Drawing No. 3MJ004009-PL-003

            d)         Sections, Drawing No. MJ004009-PL-004

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03.       The proposed access shall be constructed in accordance with the details shown on drawing(s) MJ004009-PL-003 and MJ004009-PL-004. There shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 900mm above adjoining road level in advance of lines drawn 2.4m back from the carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 20m either side of the access. Such visibility shall be fully provided before the development hereby permitted is brought into use and shall thereafter be maintained at all times.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The development hereby approved shall only be used as a means of exiting the adjacent supermarket and shall not be used for entering the supermarket from Clarence Street.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       A scheme for a barrier to be installed to prohibit use of the exit beyond 8pm and before 7am daily shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. The scheme may also make allowances for emergency use outside these stated hours and wider times during the Christmas trading period. The exit shall not be used until the scheme is approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and until the barrier has been installed in accordance with the agreed details. Any alterations to the scheme shall be proposed in writing and not implemented until any such approval from the Local Planning Authority is received in writing.

            Reason: To mitigate concerns regarding residential amenity to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       All making good of existing freestanding/retaining walls shall be undertaken in matching materials to those existing structures, unless alternative materials have been first agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To safeguard the Conservation Area and setting of Listed Buildings in accordance with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       Notwithstanding Condition 02, prior to the first use of the development hereby approved a scheme of landscaping shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include a single tree with shrub planting on each side of the exit point with a planting specification. All planting comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following receipt of  the written           approval by the Local Planning Authority, and any trees or plants which within a period of five years from having been planted die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

            Reason: To integrate the development into its environs, to safeguard the Conservation Area and setting of Listed Buildings in accordance with policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(Voting: unanimous)