Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 June 2021 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 June 2021.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Planning Committee be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Planning Committee considered a report on planning and enforcement appeals lodged since the last meeting. 

Resolved:

To note the update.

The Committee will be asked to note the outcomes of the cases and support the actions of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

The Planning Committee considered a report on planning enforcement activity within Blackpool between 1 May 2021 and 31 May 2021.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To consider planning application 20/0784 for the erection of a part three, part four and part five storey building, including commercial and residential basement storage, comprising ground floor retail, restaurant and betting shop (Use Classes E and sui generis) fronting Church Street and Abingdon Street and 19 self-contained (Use Class C3) on the upper floors accessed from Abingdon Street with associated refuse storage accessed from Back Church Street, following the demolition of existing buildings.

The Planning Committee considered planning application 20/0784 for the erection of a part three, part four and part five storey building, including commercial and residential basement storage, comprising ground floor retail, restaurant and betting shop (Use Classes E and sui generis) fronting Church Street and Abingdon Street and 19 self-contained (Use Class C3) on the upper floors accessed from Abingdon Street with associated refuse storage accessed from Back Church Street, following the demolition of existing buildings.

Miss Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, outlined the report and the planning history of the site which had been formerly occupied by Next and then Pizza Express.  More recently the ground and first floor had been redeveloped as Vintro lounge with a new frontage and themed interior.  A previous submission at the start of 2020 had proposed 29 apartments in a part six and part seven storey building.  This had been considered to be over-development of the site, unacceptable and the application had been withdrawn.

The current application was made in full and sought to agree all details.  The proposed building would have a flat roof and the top floor would be set back.  The corner facing into St John’s Square would be four storeys high and different materials would be used on the corner to create a visual focus.  Lighter materials would be used to make a focal feature of the main entrance door on Abingdon Street.  The elevations would have a strong grid design with vertical emphasis and recessed balconies to create depth and visual interest.

Miss Parker explained that the site was within a very sensitive location within the Town Centre Conservation Area and was opposite both St John’s Church and the Winter Garden.  The scheme had been considered by Historic England, the Theatres Trust, the Council’s Built Heritage Manager and the Civic Trust.  The Civic Trust had objected on the basis of scale, however, the other consultees had supported the proposal in principle. In terms of scale, Miss Parker noted that long-standing Policy LQ4 and emerging Policy DM17 both required new buildings within the town centre to be at least four storeys in height and the scale proposed accorded with this.

In terms of parking, Miss Parker stated that no off-street parking could be provided, however this was considered to be acceptable giving the town centre location.  Cycle parking was proposed at basement level and refuse storage available to the rear of the building.  Internally the scheme would deliver 19 apartments comprising eight one-bed units and eleven two-bed units, which meant that only 58% of the flats would offer two bedrooms or more, as opposed to the 70% required by planning policy.  As the Council could demonstrate a five-year housing land supply at present, a tilted planning balance did not apply and the scheme should apply with adopted policy.

Miss Parker informed the Committee that no other issues relating to highways, drainage, ecology or amenity were anticipated and that the necessary planning obligations relating to local health care provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the date of the next meeting as 3 August 2021.

Resolved:

To note the date of the next meeting at 3 August 2021.