Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/18/029

Planning Application - Change of use from B1/B8 Business/Storage and Distribution to D2 Assembly and Leisure - Personal training and Martial arts unit

Planning Application - Change of use from B1/B8 Business/Storage and Distribution to D2 Assembly and Leisure - Personal training and Martial arts unit

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel, the item had been referred to the Panel at the request of a Ward Member (Moreton Hall).

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were recommending that the application be refused.

As part of his presentation the Senior Planning Officer provided the following updates:

·         Attention was drawn to the ‘late papers’ which were issued as a supplement to the agenda papers and which set out an additional condition requested by the Highways Authority in respect of cycle storage;

·         Members were advised that late comments had been received from the West Suffolk Economic Development Team, these were read out to the Committee and which outlined concerns with regard to the impact the application could have on the operation of existing neighbouring businesses due to the potential overspill parking that was likely to take place.

In conclusion, whilst it was recognised that the Highways Authority had not objected to the application, Officers remained concerned at the impact the application could have in relation to parking in the area.

The Case Officer further explained that, whilst the applicant had stated that during the evening his patrons could use the parking spaces of neighbouring businesses who did not operate during this time, this had not been formalised with the other owners and could therefore not be regulated or guaranteed by the applicant.

Speaker:      Councillor Trevor Beckwith (Ward Member: Moreton Hall) spoke in support of the application

Prior to opening the debate, the Chairman raised concern that the Officer had not received a consultation response from the Economic Development Team until such a late point in the application’s proceedings.  The Service Manager (Planning – Development) agreed to pick up this matter and raise internally with the Officers concerned.

Councillor David Nettleton proposed that the application be deferred in order to allow time for the applicant to explore and develop an appropriate car park management plan.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Peter Stevens.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that, alongside a car park management plan, a deferral would allow time in which to establish which other sites the applicant had considered, to receive updated comments from the Highways Authority and Economic Development and to gain further details such as a proposed floor plan; in light of the application before the Committee being in outline form.

Councillor John Burns spoke in support of the proposed deferral and stressed the importance, as a fellow gym owner, of establishing parking provision with neighbouring owners.

(Councillor Peter Stevens questioned as to whether Councillor Burns needed to declare an interest in light of his personal ownership in this respect and the Lawyer present advised that this was not necessary.)

Following further discussion, Councillor Jason Crooks proposed an amendment in that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation of refusal, due to the Highways Authority not having raised an objection in relation to parking and in light of the fact that the application could be conditioned to restrict usage to the applicant. 

Councillor Nettleton therefore withdrew his motion for deferral and Councillor Stevens, instead, seconded the motion for approval.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that the Decision Making Protocol would not need to be invoked in this case as Officers did not consider a risk assessment to be required. 

The Case Officer then outlined relevant conditions for the application, in addition to the condition to restrict operation to the applicant, the cycle storage condition requested by the Highways Authority and a condition with regard to a car park management plan (all as previously discussed).

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION OF REFUSAL, subject to the following conditions:

1.   Time limit

2.   Approved drawings

3.   Personal permission

4.   Hours of use

5.   Cycle storage

6.   Transport plan

(On conclusion of this item the Chairman permitted a short comfort break.  Councillor Ian Houlder left the meeting at 11.52am and did not return when the meeting was reconvened.)