Agenda item

Planning Application 1800754/FUL - Millers Garage, 22A East Street, Crewkerne

Minutes:

Application Proposal: Demolition of existing building and the change of use of site to a tarmac ‘pay and display’ car park for 60 vehicles to include lighting columns

Councillor Mike Best declared a personal interest in the application as a member of Crewkerne Town Council.

The Specialist – Development Management presented the application as detailed in the agenda and outlined the key considerations. He explained that the application had been deferred by the Area West Committee in June 2018 in order for outstanding concerns to be resolved with the Town Council. Following discussions, it was proposed to construct a 1.8 metre high wooden fence running the entire length of the boundary. He proposed an amendment to Condition 2 to include the latest plan number and an additional condition in relation to the erection of security fencing during demolition of the site. In respect to the concern about creating a rat run, he advised that traffic calming measures would be installed within the car park and that the District Council would be able to monitor and address any issues.

The Committee was addressed by a representative from Crewkerne Town Council. She commented that the Town Council welcomed the application for a much needed long stay car park. She raised the concern that the car park could attract anti-social behaviour at night and suggested that bollards be put in place when the car park was not in use.

The Committee was then addressed by two people in opposition to the application. Their comments included:

· The proposal would add to traffic in an already busy area of people enjoying the children’s play area, Aqua Centre, Henhayes Centre and the George Reynolds Centre.

· Access from East Street through Henhayes to South Street has the potential to become a ‘rat run’.

· Traffic lights installed at West Street would be a better option.

· Unless an automatic barrier is fitted on the exit it will become a ‘rat run’

· Proposed exit route not practical. At certain times of the day the road is restricted to one way by lorries and coaches.

· At certain times traffic is already backed up along South Street.

· Increased risk to pedestrians leaving Henhayes Recreation Ground.

Ward Member, Councillor Mike Best explained that the South Somerset Parking Strategy had identified a shortfall of long stay parking and there were parking difficulties at peak times especially for people working in the town. He was disappointed that there was not enough room to provide an in and out junction but this was the only site available, although not ideal there were no other options available at the current time.

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Specialist’s recommendation as outlined in the agenda subject to:

· An amendment to Condition 2 to include the latest plan number.

· An additional condition for the erection of security fencing around the site during demolition of the site.

A vote was taken and the application was unanimously approved.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 18/00754/FUL be APPROVED as per the Specialist’s recommendation as outlined in the agenda subject to:

· an amendment to Condition 2 to include the latest plan number

· an additional condition for the erection of security fencing during demolition of the site.

Grant permission.

01. The proposed development would make a significant contribution to meeting the identified long stay car parking needs in Crewkerne, would not adversely harm the amenity of adjacent occupiers, would provide a safe means of vehicular and pedestrian access and the public benefit attributed to the provision of the car park would outweigh the slight harm caused to the setting of the Conservation Area. The proposal is in accord with Policies SD1, TA5, EQ2, EQ3 and EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan, the Core Planning Principles and Chapters 2 and 12 of the NPPF and the South Somerset Car Parking Strategy.

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 approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Drawing Numbers: AW/009-21, AW/009-23, AW/009-24 and AW/009-27C.

Reason: For the purpose of clarity and in the interests of proper planning.

03. The car park hereby approved shall not be first brought into use until details of the boundary treatment along the whole length of the western boundary and the walling to be erected on the rear side of the new pedestrian paths at the site entrance from East Street, has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed and constructed the walls shall be permanently retained and maintained.

Reason: To protect the amenity of adjacent occupiers and the setting of the Conservation Area in accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04. The lighting columns to be installed within the car park shall be located as shown on the approved plan. The bulkhead lighting system to be installed shall be as per the submitted details ie the Appollo LED 60 watt light. Once installed, there shall be no change to these agreed details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To protect the amenity of adjacent occupiers to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05. The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, which shall include planting along the eastern boundary, indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of the development, as well as details of any changes proposed in existing ground levels; all planting, seeding, turfing or earth moulding comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the building or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development 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 protect the amenity of the area to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06. No construction work or construction deliveries shall take place outside the hours of 08.00-18.00 Monday to Friday, 08.00 - 14.00 hours on Saturdays with none on Sundays or Bank/Public holidays.

Reason: To protect residential amenity to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07. Before the development hereby permitted is commenced, surface water drainage details to serve the development, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and such approved drainage details shall be completed and become fully operational before the development hereby permitted is first brought into use. Following its installation such approved scheme shall be permanently retained and maintained thereafter.

Reason: To ensure that the development is satisfactorily drained to accord with the NPPF.

08. In the event that any signs of pollution such as poor plant growth, odour, staining of the soil, unusual colouration or soil conditions, or remains from the past industrial use, are found in the soil at any time when carrying out the approved development it must be reported in writing within 14 days to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The LPA will then consider if the findings have any impact upon the development and development must be halted on that part of the site. If the LPA considers it necessary then an assessment of the site must be undertaken in accordance with BS10175. Where remediation is deemed necessary by the LPA a remediation scheme must be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA and then implemented in accordance with the submitted details.

Reason: To protect the health of future occupiers of the site from any possible effects of contaminated land, in accordance with the NPPF.

09. The car park use hereby approved shall not be first brought into use until the details of and the construction of a suitable turning area has been provided to ensure vehicles can safely turn at the northern end of the car park.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

10. No removal of any existing boundary walls/fencing/landscaping shall take place until a management plan is submitted detailing the timetable for the removal of the existing boundary treatments, the timing, details and erection of security fencing during the construction phase and the timing for the erection of all new boundary treatments. The car park hereby approved shall not be first brought into use until 1) details of all new boundary treatments have been first submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and 2) all of the agreed boundary treatments have been fully installed to the written satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the safety and security of all adjacent occupiers is maintained throughout the construction phase and once the car park is completed and first ready for use.

(Voting: unanimous)

Supporting documents: