Agenda item

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for the demolition of Travis Perkins, Holme Lacey Road SE12 and former car showroom 2 Burnt Ash Hill SE12 and the construction of a building for use as a builders merchants (sui generis) with service yard, car parking, landscaping and associated works subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report. An extra informative was agreed: The applicant be advised that details would be required regarding the management of deliveries to the site and how off street parking of HGV’s would be minimised. Specifically, this would be part of a servicing and delivery strategy as required by condition 19.

6.1      The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the granting of planning permission for the demolition of Travis Perkins, Holme Lacey Road SE12 and former car showroom 2 Burnt Ash Hill SE12 and the construction of a building for use as a builders merchants (sui generis) with service yard, car parking, landscaping and associated works.

6.2       The Committee noted the report and that the main issues were:

· Principle of Development

· Employment

· Urban Design

· Impact on Adjoining Properties

· Transport

· Sustainable Development

· Natural Environment

·Planning Obligations

6.3       There was discussion about the site turnings onto Holme Lacey Road. The application was for a new build and there would be an increase in the numbers of HGVs. A number of improvement works should be included in the application. Officers advised that improvement works were recommended and would be secured through a section 278 agreement. The works would have to be completed before operation of the use.

6.4       The Chair asked about the impact of the number of vehicles using the site, and whether the usage would be suitable for Holme Lacey Road. Officers advised that the applicant did not believe that there would be intensified use of the site, rather there would be a more efficient use of the site.

6.5       There was discussion about trucks exiting the site and whether the tracks guiding them to the left would be enforced. Officers advised that the direction of traffic was secured by condition.

6.6       The Chair asked about the change in the elevation to the front of the site which she considered to be intense. She was concerned about the landscaping and the impact of the building. Officers advised that the proposed height of the building was similar to those opposite and was considered suitable as an industrial site. The materials to be used for this type of building were of high quality and officers were confident that it would not harm the street scene of Burnt Ash Hill or Holme Lacey Road. The Chair considered that the colour scheme could have been more sympathetic to the surrounding residential area.

6.7      The agent outlined the history of the site and the significant loss in builders’ merchant branches throughout the city as landlords redeveloped leasehold sites for higher value land uses.  Burnt Ash Works was a functional building and yard which should operate as a builders’ merchant. The existing loading bay would remain in the same location but with a reduction in vehicles coming in and out of the Holme Lacy Road entrance due to the new one-way system from Burnt Ash Hill. This would be an improvement on the existing situation. Although the Noise Assessment concluded that the development was acceptable in noise terms, the applicant had offered to install an acoustic barrier to provide a betterment to occupiers on Holme Lacey Road. This would also be an improvement on the existing situation for immediate neighbours.

6.8       The agent said that Travis Perkins had worked with the planning, design and highways officers over the past 18 months, amending designs as requested and wherever possible without affecting the ability to operate the business from the site. They had also accepted comments from the Council’s urban design and landscape officers.

6.9       The agent said that her client had also agreed to make improvements to the junction including a raised table crossing to slow speeds and improve the pedestrian crossing facilities. Cycle route signage would be provided on Holme Lacey Road and traffic calming measures will be provided at the junction with Dallinger Road.

6.10    The agent confirmed that the colour of the building would be green/yellow in line with the Travis Perkins corporate colour and would not appear dark brown as shown on the plan.

6.11    The Chair agreed that Councillor Rathbone could speak under Standing Orders. He welcomed the proposal to bring the Citroen garage back into use and more job opportunities in the Lee Green area. However, there had been serious historic problems with Travis Perkins HGVs entering and exiting the site and also using neighbouring roads as a parking area. He asked whether the 278 agreement could be strengthened to ensure that with the expansion of the site, the increasing number of vehicles did not continue to use residential streets as a car park. He said that if this element was sorted he supported the application.

6.13    No representatives with objections, were present at the meeting.

The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting, and

RESOLVED unanimously that

(i)            planning permission be granted for the demolition of Travis Perkins, Holme Lacey Road SE12 and former car showroom 2 Burnt Ash Hill SE12 and the construction of a building for use as a builders merchants (sui generis) with service yard, car parking, landscaping and associated works subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report; and

(ii)          an extra informative be agreed: The applicant be advised that details would be required regarding the management of deliveries to the site and how off street parking of HGV’s would be minimised. Specifically, this would be part of a servicing and delivery strategy as required by condition 19.