Proposed minor physical alterations to reconfigure car park creating five additional spaces.

The committee received the report of the Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site and details of the responses to the application.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the report, explaining that planning permission was sought for some minor physical alterations to reconfigure the car park to create five additional spaces.

This was a linked application to the previous item (17/01544/FUL).  Although the application represented an increase in parking in the retail park, the net effect – should planning permission be granted to both applications – would be a reduction of 24 parking spaces.

There were no additional speakers and the Chair invited comments from the committee.

In response to a query, the Head of Development Management advised that none of the parking spaces to be created under this application would be for disabled use only.  Within the retail park there was a policy requirement for 5% of the available parking spaces to be disabled bays.  This threshold was met, with dedicated spaces more conveniently located next to the retail entrances. 

In addition, the Head of Development Management confirmed that there would be no loss of disabled spaces as a result of the previous application (17/01544/FUL) and parking immediately adjacent to the proposed café would include disabled provision.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

that conditional planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:

1.         The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.         The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The following drawings are hereby approved:

            14492-120 - Location Plan

            14492-121 - Existing Site Plan

            14492-122 – Proposed Site Plan

3.         No development shall commence until the details of the type, design and location of staff and visitors’ cycle parking, lighting and access lock(s) to the cycle store(s) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The cycle storage shall be installed in accordance with the approve details and retained as such unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Informatives

1.         The Local Planning Authority has been positive and proactive in its consideration of this planning application, in line with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. The Local Planning Authority suggested modifications to the development during the course of the application and the applicant submitted amendments which result in a form of development that maintains/improves the economic, social and environmental conditions of the District.

2.         You are advised that this permission does not dispense with the necessity of obtaining approval or consent under the Building Regulations, Building Acts and other relevant legislation or regulations.  You should contact the Building Control Manager of this Authority if you require information.

3.         You are advised of the need to comply with the provisions of The Control of Pollution Act 1974, The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, The Clean Air Act 1993 and The Environmental Protection Act 1990.

            In order to minimise impact of noise, any works associated with the development which are audible at the site boundary should be restricted to the following hours:

·         Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

·         Saturdays 8am to 1pm

·         Noisy work is prohibited on Sundays and bank holidays

            Instructions should be given to ensure that vehicles and plant entering and leaving the site comply with the stated hours of work.

            Further details for both the applicant and those potentially affected by construction noise can be found on the council’s website at:

            https://www.watford.gov.uk/info/20010/your_environment/188/neighbour_complaints_%E2%80%93_construction_noise.