Agenda item

The Committee will be requested to consider an application for planning permission,

details of which are set out in the accompanying report.

The Committee considered planning application 18/0612 requesting the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of three-storey building for use as a medical centre with associated parking and landscaping at 118 Adelaide Street, Blackpool.

Ms Parker, Senior Planning Officer, provided the Committee with an overview of the application and presented an aerial view of the site, the site layout, location and elevation plans. She reported that part of the site was situated within the Town Centre Conservation Area and close to the Winter Gardens and to a number of locally listed buildings.  Ms Parker further advised that the application sought to merge two existing surgeries into the new building and provided an outline of the facilities that would be provided at the medical centre, should permission be granted.

The Committee was advised of the changes made to the proposed development at the pre-application stage and as a result in the planning officer’s view the application as presented represented a high quality building appropriate for the location.  She reminded Members of the Committee that the use of the site as a medical centre had already been established.  Ms Parker reported that the number of proposed car parking spaces was 17 which fell significantly short of the maximum standards for car parking provision, however in her view it was considered acceptable due to the high accessibility of the location, the availability of other car parking facilities within the town and the demographic of the local area.  In conclusion, Ms Parker presented her view of the merits of the proposed development in terms of providing a fit for purpose medical facility to meet the current and future health needs of a deprived area of Blackpool, with a high standard of design of the building and therefore the recommendation was to grant approval of the application.

Mr Hayhoe, Agent, acting on behalf of the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He presented the view of the Clinical Commissioning Group on the benefits of the proposed development which included the provision of a medical centre to meet the complex needs of a deprived area of Blackpool and its potential to recruit of high quality medical staff.  He also presented the architect’s commitment to the development and its view that it would enhance the area and highlighted the changes made to the application in response to suggestions raised by the planning officers.

The Committee considered the application and raised concerns regarding the level of parking provision.  Ms Parker reported on previous discussions held with the Applicant regarding options for the provision of staff parking.  She also reported on likelihood that patients would walk or use public transport to attend the medical centre due to the relatively low level of car ownership in the area and its accessible location.  On invitation from the Chairman, Mr Hayhoe reported on the potential for contracts to be agreed to provide staff parking at town centre car parks and the expected high turnover of the short stay bays provided at the medical centre.

The Committee was generally in favour of granting the application but considered that an additional condition should be imposed to the permission if granted for an agreement to be reached with planning officers on the allocation of car parking spaces to patients and staff within the proposed car parking area.

Resolved:  That the application be approved, subject to the conditions and the inclusion of an additional condition requiring agreement on the allocation of car parking spaces, and for the reasons set out in the appendix to the minutes.

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