Agenda item

Consultation on Planning Application reference 19/00615/OUT Bromsgrove District Council and 19/01545/REM Stratford-On-Avon District Council - Redditch Gateway, Land adjacent to the A4023 Coventry Highway - Stoford Gorcott Limited

Site Plan

Minutes:

Officers presented the report and explained that the application site fell within the boundaries of Bromsgrove District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council, and that the Planning Committees of those Councils would decide the applications.  Redditch Borough Council had been invited to comment as consultee.

 

Outline planning permission previously having been granted, the applicant was seeking approval of reserved matters for Phase 1 of the Redditch Gateway consisting of the construction of a large building for B8 use (storage and distribution) with ancillary B1 use (offices).  Matters to be determined included landscaping, layout, scale and access to the building, internal access roads, car parking and structural landscape works inclusive of an ecological enhancement area.

 

During the debate Members raised a number of matters and voiced concerns about how the development would impact on the local area.  It was noted that although the determining authorities would be Bromsgrove District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council, the geography of the site was such that the population living near the site who might be affected by it were all residents of Redditch Borough Council.

 

Whilst acknowledging that outline planning permission had been granted, in discussing the consultation response Members commented on a number of specific issues including:-

 

·       The areas shown on the plan for lorry parking, and how this interacted with the processes of loading and unloading.  Members asked for clarification about where loading bays would be located and commented that were loading activities located on the northern side of the building this might lessen any impact on residential properties.

 

·       The colour of the building and whether using a grey colour scheme would be appropriate.  In view of the scale of the building Members were concerned that any colour scheme should act to minimise any impact and help the structure to blend in with its surroundings.  Members questioned whether materials other than paint should be considered. Members also commented that on the artists impression of the Eastern side of the structure the white roof section was very bright and visible.

 

·       Ecological and wildlife mitigation and whether these had been sufficiently provided for.  In particular Members commented on the badger pipe and were concerned that the scale of these types of interventions should be increased in the interests of wildlife conservation.

 

·       The arrangements for car parking and whether flood lighting would be installed and the possible impact of car park use and lighting pollution.

 

·       The proposals for tree planting and whether the mix of trees proposed was what would be expected for an area such as Redditch.

 

Members sought clarification as to how the current applications linked to the previous variation application made to Redditch Borough Council and determined by Planning Committee on 18th March 2019 under planning reference 18/01626/S73.  Officers confirmed that it remained the case that the conditions referred to in Minute 75 (b) of the meeting on 18th March 2019 would come back to Members.

 

In light of the matters discussed, the Members indicated that they wished to submit a more detailed consultation response than that provided for in the report and there was a short adjournment for officers to consider a suitable from of wording.

 

RESOLVED that

 

  1. Members support the principle of development in accordance with the parameter plan approved at the outline stage subject to instructing officers to feedback comments on the following specific issues namely:-

 

  1. Clarification of details of the floodlighting and the impact of any light pollution ;

 

  1. That further consultation with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust be carried out as to whether additional provision is required for wildlife and ecological mitigation;

 

  1. Clarification of the position and operating regime of the loading bays;

 

  1. Members do not believe that the current proposed colour scheme of the building would be acceptable, and that different colours/materials should be considered, including further consultation on this issue with the Committee;

 

  1. Clarification of the suitability of the tree species indicated, and in particular whether the mix of trees is suited to the location in Redditch.

 

  1. Members noted the contents of the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 18th March 2019 with regard to Planning Application ref 18/01626/S73 and endorsed their previous request that the conditions referred to in Minute 75 resolution (b) be brought back to Committee prior to being discharged.

 

[Councillor Gemma Monaco participated in the debate but had to leave the meeting during the adjournment and was not present for the vote]

 

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