Agenda item

The application was reported to Planning Committee for determination because the application was for major development. Furthermore, the application was submitted on behalf of RBC. 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 5 to 35 of the Site Plans and Presentations pack.

The application was for the Former Police Station, Grove Street, Town Centre, Redditch, B98 8DB and sought the Construction of a purpose-built Innovation Centre (Class E) building with associated facilities and landscaping.

Following the Planning Application approved in Autumn 2022 and with the completion of that development, the Police Station was moved to its new site at Middle House Lane. A previous application 24/00956/FUL was submitted and then subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.

Officers drew Members attention to page 22 of the Public reports pack that detailed which Class E uses would be permitted under the application.

Vehicular access to the site would be possible off of Archer Road with the existing second entrance off Queen Street being closed. Pedestrians would be able to access the building from either Queen Street or Grove Street (Via the carpark).

Concern was raised regarding overlooking of the Magistrates Court, however, measures were proposed around tree screening which were deemed adequate. It was also taken into account the reorientation of the building which brought the building further away from the Magistrates court and therefore assisted to address privacy concerns.

Officers drew Members attention to the proposed floor plans detailed on pages 18 to 23 of the Public Reports pack and detailed that the first and second floors would be predominately Office space with the ground floor providing a number of facilities such as a Lab, Workshops and meeting rooms.

The building was designed by intersecting two cubic masses, each of the two units would use a different brick colour to give Architectural interest to the site. It was further detailed that the application would bring significant bio-diversity gains as the current site having almost negligible biodiversity opportunities, the application would meet the 10% Biodiversity Net Gain Condition.

At the invitation of the Chair, Rachel Egan, The applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application.

Members questioned the impact of the Loss of Car Park 3 which was detailed as a mitigating parking factor in the report. Officers clarified that due to Carpark 3 being the furthest away of the 3 named parking resources, they were satisfied that ample parking in the local area was available.

Members were generally in support of the innovation centre and on being put to a vote it was.

RESOLVED that

having had regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations,

a)    Planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions and informatives as detailed on pages 37 to 49 of the Public Reports pack. and;

b)    Delegated powers be GRANTED to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Culture Services to determine any subsequent Non-Material Amendment (NMA) associated with the Implementation of the permission