Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 June 2016 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 June 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 June 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee noted the Planning Inspector’s decision to dismiss an appeal that had been submitted against the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the use of the first floor at 15 King Street, Blackpool as a restaurant bar. 

Members also noted that two further appeals had been submitted in respect of the Council’s refusal to give planning permission for the erection of two detached bungalows in the rear garden of 119 Newton Drive, Blackpool and for external alterations to 411 Midgeland Road, Blackpool and use of the property as a single dwelling.

Resolved:  To note the planning appeals lodged and determined.

Background papers:  Letters from the Planning Inspectorate dated 15 January 2016 and 16 May 2016.

The Committee considered a report detailing the planning enforcement activity undertaken within Blackpool during May 2016.  The report detailed the numbers of new cases that had been registered for investigation, the number of cases resolved by negotiation and cases closed due to no breach of planning control found, no action was appropriate or where it was not expedient to take further action.  The report also provided comparative information from the previous year.

The report also outlined the enforcements notices, s215 notices and Community Protection notices served during May 2016.

Resolved:  To note the outcome of the cases and to support the actions of the Service Manager, Public Protection Department in authorising the notices set out in the report.

The Committee is requested to consider an application for planning permission, details of which are set out in the accompanying report.

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a log flume ride on land adjacent to the north side of South Pier. 

Mr Johnston presented the Committee with a brief overview of the application and site layout plans.  The proposal was to relocate the existing log flume ride from its current site at the western end of the South Pier to a site immediately north of the Pier.  The ride would be enclosed by palisade fencing.  Members were shown plans of the front, side and rear elevations of the log flume and Mr Johnston reported on its height and distance from the frontage of the Pier and its location in relation to the Pier head building.  The Pier was a locally listed building and Mr Johnston reported on a previous permission that had been granted to redevelop the existing pier head building, which, if implemented, would have an overall height of 15 metres.  Mr Johnston referred the Committee to the information included in the Update Note and further representation received in objection to the application that suggested that the proposal did not comply with policies BH4, RR1, RR4 and RR11 of the Blackpool Local Plan and confirmed that information relating to these policies was contained within the officer’s report.  The application was recommended for temporary approval with an additional condition to restrict the hours of operation of the log flume to between 08.00 hours and 20.00 hours daily.

Mr Laister, on behalf of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, spoke in objection to the application.  His main concerns included a conflict with policies within the Blackpool Local Plan in relation to the proposed siting of the log flume, the quality of design and its visual impact.  He also reported his view that the granting of the application could set a precedent for future portable rides.  He suggested that, in his opinion, the proposal could adversely impact on the viability of the Pleasure Beach.

Ms Cubbins, public objector, also spoke in objection to the application.  The main concerns raised included conflict with policies within the Blackpool Local Plan in relation to the visual impact of the ride, its impact on local businesses from the noise and vibration resulting from the ride, the scale and design of the log flume and public safety.

Mr Shepherd, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.  He reported his view on the relatively low level of noise that would emanate from the ride and confirmed his agreement to any amplified music being switched off at 20.00 hours but asked the Committee to consider allowing the ride to operate beyond this time. He highlighted that no comments had been received from Environmental Protection to suggest that the ride should cease to operate at 20.00 hours.  Mr Shepherd made comparisons to two temporary permissions that had been granted for the nearby go-karting facility which, in his opinion, generated more noise than the log flume.  He asked Members to consider granting the application with a start date for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.