Agenda item

Councillors Bill Hartnett, Juma Begum and Andy Fry who had declared an interest in relation to agenda item 6 (Minute No29), left the meeting room and took no part in the debate or vote thereof.

Councillor Sid Khan, who had declared an interest in relation to agenda item 6 (Minute No29), withdrew to the public gallery, but took no part in the debate or vote thereof.

It was noted that, the Legal Advisor to the Committee, had strongly advised those Members who had declared an interest to leave the meeting room. However, it was noted that Members who had chosen not to leave the meeting room, could not be compelled to do so.

The application was reported to the Planning Committee as the applicant was Redditch Borough Council, as such 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 17 to 36 of the Site Plans and Presentations pack.

The application was for the Townhall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch and sought the change of use from Town Hall to mixed use as Town Hall and Community Hub, including Use Classes F2(b) and F1, with associated extensions and works.

Officers listed the proposed uses for the Town Hall which were outlined on page 28 of the Public Reports pack. Those uses were identified as acceptable by Officers.

The application proposed two extensions to the building. A double height extension would be located at the existing entrance to the Town Hall from Walter Stranz Square and would provide a more open aspect to the enlarged main reception area for the community hub. Large areas of glazing would increase the amount of natural light into the community hub.

The second extension would be located at the far end of the east wing which would house a new circulation staircase, connecting the lower ground floor and upper floors. This extension would be mainly glazed at the base to give the effect of a ‘floating box’. Glazing and cladding would be used for the staircase extension.

To reflect the design of the existing building, the main corner of both extensions would be chamfered, and both would be finished with a flat roof and parapet wall.

The colour finish of the potential cladding for the extensions had been changed following comments from the Conservation Officer. A bronze anodised finish that would complement the existing building was now proposed. However, as the material had not been fully examined by Officers an additional Condition (Condition 3, Page 39 of the Public Reports pack) was imposed for the submission and approval of all materials.

Officers took Members through the proposed floor layouts for the application and highlighted the extensions on the proposed elevation slides on pages 24 to 27 of the Site Plans and Presentations pack.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the comments received in an objection letter, which was summarised on pages 5 and 6 of the Update Reports pack. Officers assured Members that the accessibility of the building would be looked at in further detail during the building regulations stage of the development. Officers further drew Members’ attention to Condition 4 which required a scheme of hard and soft landscaping to be submitted, the car parking and access would also be reviewed as part of that scheme.

At the invitation of the Chair, Andrea Berry addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Kate Wood, Agent for the application, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Officers clarified the following points after questions from Members.

• That Officers did not expect any historical findings to be revealed as part of the development. However, due to previous discoveries in the area it was deemed appropriate to include an archaelogy Condition to address this.
• The anodized material used in the development would have to be submitted prior to being used so it could be fully considered and approved.
• The provision of fire exits and the safety of the cladding came under building regulations and would be determined at the appropriate point.

Members then debated the application.

Members were satisfied with the responses to the concerns raised with regard to accessible access and that they were adequately covered with Conditions and under building regulations.

Members were of the opinion that the development would be a welcome renovation for the townhall and would utilise space more efficiently.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED that

having had regard to the development plan and to all other materialconsiderations,

1. Planning permission be GRANTED subject to;
   1. Conditions 1-10 outlined on pages 38 to 41 of the Public Reports Pack
   2. Condition 11 as Outlined on page 6 of the Update Reports pack.

2. Delegated powers be GRANTED to the Head of Planning, Regeneration andLeisure services to determine any subsequent Non-Material Amendment (NMA)associated with the implementation of the permission.