Agenda item

Demolition of existing buildings, erection of buildings for flexible employment uses (Use Classes E(g)(iii) and/or B2 and/or B8), associated landscaping, access and facilities.

Councillor Eric Batts, the local ward councillor, stood down from the committee for consideration of this application.

The committee considered application P20/V0200/FUL for the demolition of existing buildings, erection of buildings for flexible employment uses (Use Classes E(g)(iii) and/or B2 and/or B8), associated landscaping, access and facilities at Kingston Bagpuize Business Park, Kingston Bagpuize, Abingdon.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer reported that the proposed re-development of the site is predicted to result in a reduction in traffic movements. Proposed car parking meets council standards and there were no objections from the landscape officer. The new units would be taller than the existing ones, at up to 10.6m tall although some proposed buildings had been reduced in height to 8.91m. The locations of listed buildings were shown on the plans presented. Were planning permission to be granted, it would be subject to an agreement between the applicant and Oxfordshire County Council being secured for a financial contribution towards travel plan monitoring  The less than substantial harm to heritage assets was considered limited and short term, reducing to negligible harm in the long term once proposed landscaping became established. Whilst giving great weight to the desirability of protecting, preserving or enhancing heritage assets, officers considered the public benefits outweighed the limited harm.

Councillor Virginia Grant a representative of Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. A statement of objection from the parish council had been circulated to the committee by the democratic services officer some days before the meeting.

Councillor David Warr, a representative of Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application.

Ms. Emma Lancaster, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Eric Batts, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

Responding to a question regarding the twenty-four operation of the proposal, the planning officer reported that this situation already existed on the business park and confirmed that traffic movements were predicted to be reduced with the new development. The projected reduction resulted from a calculation of the use of the new buildings, based on worse case scenarios compared to the existing uses, which included buildings and open yard areas. The committee was reminded that Oxfordshire County Council, the local highways authority, had no objection to the application and that the council’s economic development officer supported the proposal as being beneficial to local employment.  For example, new usage would incorporate an increased storage and logistic function, which normally had less traffic associated with it than other uses. The committee was reminded that Oxfordshire County Council, the local highways authority, had no objection to the application and that the council’s economic development officer supported the proposal as being beneficial to local employment.

The committee was concerned about potential problems emanating from the construction period and sought appropriate measures in the proposed conditions. The committee was reassured by recommended condition 4, containing a requirement for a traffic management plan and asked that a requirement for wheel washing facilities be included during the construction period. The committee also noted, and fully supported, recommended condition 17, restricting the hours of work during construction.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P20/V0200/FUL, subject to the following conditions;

1.         An agreement between the applicant and Oxfordshire County Council

            being secured for a financial contribution towards travel plan   

            monitoring; and

2. Conditions:

1.         Development to commence within three years

2.         Approved plans

Pre-Commencement Conditions

3.         Surface water drainage scheme

4.         Construction traffic management plan

5.         Phased risk assessment for potential contamination

Pre-Occupancy or Other Stage Conditions

6.         Foul water drainage scheme

7.         Implementation of any contamination remediation

8.         Biodiversity mitigation and enhancement strategy

9.         Noise, dust, emissions, odour mitigation prior to commencement of any Class B2 use

10.       Travel Plan

11.       Car parking provision in accordance with approved plans

12.       Electric charging points – scheme to be approved

13.       Cycle parking provision in accordance with approved plans

14.       Footway and lighting provision to A415 bus stops before first occupation

15.       Community Employment Plan to be agreed

Post Occupancy Monitoring and Management Conditions

16.       Landscaping implementation in accordance with the approved plans

17.       Construction hours – 8.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday 8.00 to 13.00 Saturday no works on Sunday or bank holidays

18.       Permitted development rights removal – extensions to industrial and warehouses, industrial processes and hard standings (Classes H, I and J of Part 7, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015

19.       Use restriction to E(g)(iii) (industrial processes), B2 (general industry) and B8 (distribution and warehousing)

Informative

1.                     Thames Water will aim to provide a minimum pressure of 10m head (approx. 1 bar) and a flow rate of 9 litres/minute at the point where it leaves Thames Water pipes. This should be taken into account by the developer in the design of the development