Agenda item

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

The Committee considered planning application 17/0503 that sought permission for internal and external alterations including erection of a "plaza" to first floor level within existing service yard area, installation of replacement windows to Edward Street, re-modelling of former post office counter and use/ conversion of buildings to provide leisure uses, retail uses, offices, restaurants and cafes within Use Classes A1, A2, A3, D2 with associated administrative offices, car parking, landscaping, boundary treatment, refuse storage, access, servicing, plant and associated demolition works at 26-30 Abingdon Street, Blackpool.

Mr Shaw, Principal Planning Officer, presented the Committee with an overview of the application and the proposed site layout, elevational plan, location plan, aerial views of the site and an artistic impression of the proposed internal café area.  Mr Shaw advised Members that the application represented a revision of a previously approved scheme and that the main changes from the originally approved scheme included the deletion of a hotel and proposed new windows and alterations to the former Post Office counter. Ongoing negotiations regarding the removal of the metal railings on Edward Street had been undertaken and agreement reached on the retention of a section of the railings.

Mr Shaw referred to the comments from the Head of Highways and Traffic Services that had led to a number of further proposed conditions.  Those conditions related to the requirement for a service management plan to be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority, an amendment to proposed Condition 4 to make reference to the allocation of designated parking spaces within the central courtyard area.  In addition he referred to a Section 278 Agreement informative note relating to the proposed loading bay on Edward Street.  He also referred Members to the Update Note which proposed a further additional condition requiring the details of all materials to be used on the external elevations, including replacement windows, doors, roller shutter and roof top cladding to be submitted and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  A further additional condition was proposed requiring the agreement of the exact specification for the end of the retained metal railings on Edward Street.

A Member of the Committee referred to the concerns raised regarding the impact of the development on the objector’s property and it was noted that this had been considered in the granting of the original planning permission and there were no alterations from the previously approved scheme in terms of the relationship.

The Committee questioned the reason and extent of the removal of part of the metal railings on Edward Street and Mr Shaw showed on the plans the portion of railings that would be removed to allow access for Electricity North West to/from the proposed substation.

Resolved:  That the application be approved, subject to the conditions, including additional conditions relating to the requirement of the submission and approval of a service management plan, the agreement of materials to be used on external elevations, a further condition requiring the exact specification for the end of the metal railings, the amendment of Condition 4 to make reference to the allocation of designated parking spaces within the central courtyard area and an informative note for a Section 278 Agreement relating to the proposed loading bay on Edward Street, and for the reasons set out in the appendix to the minutes. 

Background papers:  Applications, plans and replies to consultations on the application.