Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Andy Fry with Councillor Sharon Harvey in attendance as substitute.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and / or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To note Update Reports (if any) for the Planning Applications to be considered at the meeting (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting)

There were no update reports.

This application was reported to Planning Committee for determination because theapplication was for a major development (change of use involving more than 1000 sq.metres of commercial floorspace), with the recommendation being one of approval. Assuch the application fell outside the scheme of delegation to Officers.

Officers presented the report and in doing so, drew Members’attention to the presentation slides on pages 5 to 13 of the Site Plans and Presentations pack.

The application was for Unit 19 Walford Walk, Redditch, B97 4HJand sought the Subdivision of the former Debenhams Unit Level 1 & 2 to form a Police Station and the change of use from Class E (Shops) to enable that.

Officers informed the Committee that the Police were required to vacate the Grove Street building by October 2023, Officers further detailed that the application was for a temporary period whilst the new blue light station under construction on Middlehouse Lane was under construction.

The application sought the subdivision of the 1^st floor of the former Debenhams retail unit, a section of the 1^st floor and the whole of the 2^nd floor would then form a temporary Police Station.

Officers detailed the access arrangement to Members and explained that there would be a digital information kiosk which would be accessible on the 1^st floor. This would allow members of the public to book appointments, however, they could not access the police station.

There would also be 6-8 spaces for Police vehicles just off silver street exclusively for Police use.

Officers clarified the following points after questions from Members.

• That the access to the parking on Silver Street was restricted by a barrier, access to which was controlled by the Kingfisher Centre.
• There would be no access to the Police Station by members of the public, however, Officers detailed that this was an operational issue controlled by the police.
• There would be no holding cells within the Police Station.
• Discussions were taking place with the Kingfisher town centre to decide on appropriate signage to inform the general public. Officers would monitor the situation in case any planning permissions were required.
• That there would be 24hours access to the unit for the Police Officers.

On being put to the vote, it was,

RESOLVED that

That having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be GRANTED subject to the Conditions detailed on pages 11 and 12 of the Public Reports pack.