Agenda item

Minutes:

The first application of the evening was introduced for Members’ consideration. Planning application number 140851 to erect 5no. apartments at 49 Church Street, Gainsborough. The Senior Development Management Officer explained there was an amendment to the conditions attached to the recommendation. It was now considered necessary to attach the construction management plan and method statement condition recommended by LCC Highways to the planning permission in the event the Committee decided to approve the application. This would be added as condition 2 of the planning permission with subsequent conditions renumbered accordingly. The applicant had agreed to this pre-commencement condition.

 

He added that a petition, signed by 44 people, in favour of the proposal had been received, noting since renovations commenced on the Fanny Marshall Institute at 49 Church Street the site and area had experienced less vandalism and antisocial behaviour; and the proposal was seen as a positive uplift in the character of the area and residents encouraged the Committee to grant permission. This petition did not change the recommendation.

 

The Chairman thanked the Officer and invited the first of the two registered speakers to address the Committee.

 

Mr Jon Cook, Agent for the Applicant, made the following statement.

 

“Since acquiring the Fanny Marshal building the Applicant’s company has acquired other buildings is the area. They are investing significant funds to not only saving the historic Fanny Marshall building and bringing it into economic use but also upgrading and improving other properties in the area, subject to future planning approvals.

 

The Applicant seeks to be a good neighbour in carrying out his developments and the attached letter of support, signed by neighbours is an indication of this.

 

The Applicant welcomes the recommendation and his agent has worked with the planning staff in amending the application to meet all the policies of the Development Plan to evolve the scheme before you today.

 

He notes the concern expressed by the Town Council concerning car parking and Highway Safety but also notes that the Local Highway Authority support the application and they do not share the Town Council’s concerns.

 

Notwithstanding this observation, the Applicant has always seen this location as sustainable in travel terms due to its close proximity to the Town Centre, local services, bus and train station. It is envisaged that future residents will not necessarily rely on cars or car parking in the area, like the apartments in the Old Church Hall on Trinity Street.

 

However, in a continuing spirit of geed neighbourliness the applicant will provide onsite bicycle storage and 6 months bus passes for each new tenant. This will help build on the sustainable location of the site and help reduce the reliance on private car usage. If the Committee deemed these measures necessary, they can be secured by condition.

 

We would ask that the Committee to approve the officer’s recommendation.”

 

The Chairman invited the second of the speakers, Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan, to address the Committee.

 

Councillor Howitt-Cowan stated he was speaking in his role as Member Champion for Heritage and Tourism, in support of the application. He explained that although the building was not listed, it was of historic interest and importance within the local area. He stated his delight that the façade had been rescued and restored and appreciated the imaginative extension to the original building. He felt the building had been given a lifeline through this application and it would have a beneficial impact on the area.

 

The Chairman thanked both speakers and invited comments from the Committee. Members were supportive of the application and the offer of the applicant to provide support for use of public transport for the initial residents of the apartments. There were concerns raised regarding the limitations of parking in the area and it was felt that by encouraging the use of public transport this could be mitigated.

 

The Senior Development Management Officer stated that there could be two additional conditions, first for the developer to provide details of one allocated cycle storage space per bedroom prior to occupation of the apartments, and the second to provide details of the travel plan to be offered to residents.

 

With these additional conditions agreed, as well as the amendment detailed by the Officer, it was unanimously agreed that permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions (in addition to those mentioned above):

 

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be commenced:

 

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

 

Reason: To conform with Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

 

Conditions which apply or require matters to be agreed before the development commenced:

 

None.

 

Conditions which apply or are to be observed during the course of the development:

 

2. Development shall proceed in accordance with the following approved drawings:

1000 Rev D

1001 Rev C

 

Reason: For the sake of clarity and in the interests of proper planning.

 

3. No development above damp proof course level shall take place until details of foul and surface water drainage (including a percolation test) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved details shall be installed prior to first occupation of the development.

 

Reason: To secure appropriate drainage in accordance with Policy LP14 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

 

4. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved flood risk assessment (FRA) and the following mitigation measures it details:

  • Finished floor levels shall be set no lower than 6.9 metres above Ordnance Datum (AOD)
  • Flood resilience measures shall be implemented

These mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation of the development. The measures detailed above shall be retained and maintained thereafter throughout the lifetime of the development.

 

Reason: To reduce the risk of flooding to the proposed development and future occupants in accordance with Policy LP14 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

 

5. Prior to their use in the development details of the external finishing materials shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall proceed in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: To secure good design in accordance with Policy LP26 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

 

Conditions which apply or relate to matters which are to be observed following completion of the development:

 

None.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: