Agenda item

PROPOSAL:

Change of use of previously approved crèche (Use Class D1) to fitness suite (Use Class D2) and reception area. Amendments to external works to include alterations to bin and cycle storage, hard and soft landscaping and entrance gate.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the draft Decision Notice.

Andy Bates (Area Planning Manager) with reference to the supplementary report circulated prior to the meeting clarified the issues raised at the site visit including the planning history of the site.  He continued that the applicant had indicated to complete the external works within 15 months and toimprovethe appearanceofthiselementofthebuilding,a temporary bannerdisplayinga graphicofa greenwallcouldbe installed. He advised members that the Council had no powers to force theapplicantstofinishthedevelopment however officers had recommended conditionswhich sought to encourage stagesofthe developmentto be brought forward as soon as possible

Andy Bates went on to clarify the access arrangements to the fitness suite and drew members’ attention to condition 5 of the report which required the applicants to submit ManagementPlandetailing accessarrangementsto the fitnesssuite.  In respect of members’ concerns about the D2 use, he recommended an additional condition restrictingtheuseofthefitnesssuiteto afitnesssuiteonly or D1 usein connectionwiththerestofthe building as set out in the supplementary report.  He added that funding for the project was understood to comefromprivately raised donations however,this was not considered to be a materialplanningconsideration.  He added that the proposalwouldnot give riseto an unacceptableparkingimpact.

Ruth Dar and John Keuetgen (Secretary and Chair of APRATA respectively) spoke in objection to the application.  Members heard that whilst APRATA welcomed the additional condition on D1 use they had no confidence in the planned phased development.  They also questioned the need for change of use of the property and requested that officers and the applicants should get together and put forward a master plan for the site

In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Nerva (ward member) declared that he had been approached by local residents.  Councillor Nerva endorsed the request for a master plan for the site for clarity and requested curtailment of further development on the site until the conclusion of the master plan.

Steve Rickhards (applicant’s architect and contract administrator) stated that he anticipated a seamless completion of the scheme lasting 12 months.  He drew members’ attention to proposed landscaping and tree planting as well as an active frontage to Wrentham Avenue.  He then responded to members’ questions.  The architect stated that the proposal would have no significant parking impact and clarified the flexible use of the community facilities that the pool area would provide as well as the phases of the development.

Following the ensuing discussion, members decided to add an additional condition that the gym could not be used until the swimming pool was provided and a further condition relating to Green wall maintenance.

DECISION:

Granted planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the draft Decision Notice, additional condition restricting the use to D1 only as set out in the supplementary report and that gym can not be used until the swimming pool was provided and a further condition relating to Green wall maintenance.

Note:  Councillor Choudhary having declared an interest in the application at the start of the meeting did not take part in the discussion or voting on the application.