Issue - meetings

The committee received the report of the Development Management Manager. 

        The Chair then invited Mrs Susan Wilkins to address the committee. 

        Mrs Wilkins opened by describing the parking situation at Lych Gate as horrendous and this had escalated since the closure of the parking bay in 2008.  She expressed her concern over the loss of more parking spaces and garages, estimating that if this proposal was approved, it would result in 20 additional vehicles. 

        Mrs Wilkins explained that the parking was impacting nearby roads and had been exacerbated when the freeholder had removed access to the parking bays.  She added that access to the garage block would also be harmed as people would have to park in front of their garages.  She added a variety of concerns:

·        Access difficulties for emergency and refuse vehicles. bullying

·        The freeholder failing to maintain the block and general mistreatment of the residents.

·        Compromised privacy for nearby properties.

·        Loss of light and outlook compromised.

·        Reduced road safety. 

At the request of the Chair, the Development Management Manager commented on the privacy and daylight issues, stating that it was considered there would be no loss of privacy or daylight to nearby properties.  Indeed the proposal would replicate the position of dwellings on the opposite side of the street. 

The Chair thanked Mrs Wilkins and noted that Wakelin Associates had provided a written submission, as they were unable to be present at the meeting.  This would be appended to the minutes as Appendix 1. 

Councillor Saffery, the Ward Councillor for Woodside, then addressed the committee, noting that there was an ongoing issue with parking across the Borough, but that it was particularly acute in the area.  He added that some years ago a “grasscrete” bay had been installed, but this had only been a temporary solution and it was now overwhelmed by demand. 

        Councillor Saffery challenged the assertion in the parking survey that removal of the three informal spaces would not see supply outstrip demand, citing aerial images and local experience that clearly showed that parking was at a premium.  He commented that since the garages and associated hard standing were clearly constructed with car parking in mind, it was inappropriate to demolish them. 

        He pointed out that whilst the planning framework might tie the hands of the committee, local residents were vehemently opposed to the application.  He asked that if the committee were minded to grant the application, they impose conditions to mitigate the impact on parking and to increase the parking provision.  He urged the committee to heed the concerns of the residents. 

        The committee discussed the application and expressed their sympathy with the residents’ position.  However, the consensus was that this application was policy compliant and had the appropriate parking included. 

        Councillor Bell suggested that Councillor Saffery might lobby the relevant County Councillor over the parking issues, but that could not affect the decision before the committee. 

        The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6