Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and details of any Councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the Committee.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors Robin and Wanda King.

To invite Councillors to declare any interest they may have in the items on the Agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm, as correct records, the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 13th December 2011 and 4th January 2012.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 13th December 2011 and 4th January 2012 be confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To consider a Planning Application for the erection of a Petrol Filling Station, including forecourt shop, canopy and eight pumps, car wash, car care facilities, car parking, offset fills and associated plant and landscaping.

Applicant:  Sainsbury’s Supermarket Ltd

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Erection of a petrol filling station including forecourt shop,

canopy and eight pumps, car wash, car care facilities,

car parking, offset fills and associated plant and landscaping.

Applicant:  Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd

Mr D Templeton, the Applicant’s Agent, addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules.

RESOLVED that

the Committee’s decision stand DEFERRED for Officers to obtain further  information about traffic flows.

(In view of concerns that the increased volume of traffic likely to be generated by the Petrol Filling Station onto the junction of Bordesley Lane and Millrace Road, together with additional traffic flow generated by the redeveloped Abbey Stadium and Pool, and recently approved Hotel and Restaurant development adjacent to this site, which Members felt would add to existing  congestion problems in the area, Members deferred decision on the Application for Officers to provide more detailed information on the outcomes from the model traffic flow tests that had been conducted by the Highways Authority.  

In view of these concerns, and the need for detailed Highways advice, Officers were asked to request the attendance of a Highways Team Officer at the next meeting of the Committee.) 

To consider a Planning Application for the variation of Condition 1 of Planning Application 2009/019/COU in respect of a change of use from A1 (Retail) to D2 (Assembly and Leisure), in order to extend the date of expiry of the permission for an additional five years.

Applicant:  Mr S Marshall (Your Ideas)

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Variation of Condition 1 of Planning Application 2009/019/COU

(change of use from A1 (Retail) to D2 (Assembly and Leisure)

to extend the date of expiry of the permission for an additional

five years.

Applicant:  Mr S Marshall (Your Ideas)

Mr Marshall, the Applicant, addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules.

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, permission be GRANTED to vary Condition 1 of Planning Permission 2009/019/COU, subject to the imposition of the revised condition and summarised informatives as detailed below, namely:

Revised Condition

“1.       The permission hereby granted expires on 31st March 2017.  The use hereby approved shall cease on or before that date unless agreed otherwise upon application to the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason:        In order that the Local Planning Authority retains the right to re-assess the use of the building in the interests of ensuring that the retail and community function of the Matchborough District Centre is not undermined, in accordance with Policy (E(TCR).9 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.”

Informatives

“1.       Reason for approval

  2.       Reminder that all other Conditions attached to Planning Permission 2009/019/COU remain applicable.”

(The Committee considered the report and information provided by the Applicant in respect of the success of Your Ideas and his request to secure use of the building for an additional 5 year permission rather that the 3 years recommended by Officers in their report, in order to be able to demonstrate the viability and sustainability of the organisation for future funding purposes. 

Members felt that, given the current low demand for retail space in the area,  extending the permission for five rather than three years was a sensible option that would enhance funding opportunities and enable the provision of an important community project, that was not detrimental to other retail functions in the District Centre, to continue.)    

To consider a Planning Application for a proposed two storey extension and alterations.

Applicant:  Mr S Hussain

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Proposed two-storey extension and alterations

Applicant:  Mr S Hussain

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, Planning Permission be GRANTED, subject to the conditions and informatives summarised in the main report.

To consider a Planning Application for a 15m monopole, equipment cabinet and ancillary apparatus.

Applicant:  Vodaphone (UK) Ltd and Telefonica 02 (UK) Ltd

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

15m monopole, equipment cabinet and ancillary apparatus

Applicant:  Vodaphone (UK) Ltd and Telefonica 02 (UK) Ltd

The following people addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules:

Mr M Slevin, Objector

Mrs K Whitehouse – Objector

Councillor A Clayton (Ward Councillor and Objector)

Councillor J Brunner (Ward Councillor and Objector )

Mr D Holmes – the Applicant’s Agent.

RESOLVED that

having regard to the application and to all other material considerations, authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to determine that PRIOR APPROVAL of the Local Planning Authority is NOT REQUIRED for the siting and appearance of the proposed monopole, cabinet and ancillary apparatus and that planning permission is not required for the proposed development, subject to the expiry of the consultation period on 6th February 2012 and the informatives summarised in the report.