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 6 July 2021 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 July 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.  Two appeals had been lodged and one appeal had been determined and allowed.  The appeal that had been allowed had granted temporary planning permission for a children’s home for two years.  Miss Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, informed the Committee that this decision generally supported the Council’s decision, had taken account of Covid circumstances and would allow the Council time to implement its strategy to meet local need within the borough. 

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 June 2021 and 30 June 2021.  During June 2021 56 new cases had been registered for investigation and there were 529 “live” complaints outstanding.  Of the resolved cases, 29 had been resolved by negotiation without recourse to formal action.  In respect of closed cases, 59 had been closed and these included those where there was no break of planning control found, no action was appropriate or it was not considered expedient to take action.  The Planning Committee was informed of the formal enforcement notices and Section 215 notices authorised or issued during June 2021.

Resolved:

To note the update.

The Committee to consider an update on the Council’s performance in relation to Government targets.  The report reflects performance in the first quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year.

The Planning Committee considered the report in relation to Government targets and performance in the first quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year.  In respect of major applications, the Council had determined 100% of major applications within 13 weeks against a Government target of 60%.  Similarly in respect of non-major applications, the Council had determined 93% against a Government target of 70%.  The Planning Committee noted its appreciation to the Planning Team for their performance.

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 18 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 story 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 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 reminded the Planning Committee that this application had been deferred at the last meeting to allow the application the opportunity to provide viability information to demonstrate that a housing mix compliant with policy could not be delivered. Instead of providing this information, amended plans had been submitted that now showed an acceptable housing mix.

The application related to the site on the corner of Abingdon Street and Church Street which had been formerly occupied by Next and then Pizza Express. Most recently the ground and first floor had been redeveloped as Vintro Lounge with a new frontage and themed interior.  In respect of planning history a previous submission at the start of 2020 had proposed 29 apartments in a part six, part seven storey building and was considered to be over-development of the site and unacceptable in the context; the application had been withdrawn.  The current application proposed 18 apartments in a part three, part four and part five storey building with retail and commercial uses to be retained at ground floor level.  The application was made in full and sought to agree all details. 

The building proposed would have a flat roof and the top floor would be set back.  The corner facing into St. Johns Square would be four storeys high and different materials would be used on the corner to create a visual focus. Similarly lighter materials would be used to make a focal feature of the main entrance door on Abingdon Street.  The elevations proposed would have a strong grid design with vertical emphasis and recessed balconies to create depth and visual interest.

Miss Parker noted that the site was within a very sensitive location within the Town Centre Conservation Area and opposite both St. John’s Church and the Winter Gardens.  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 but the other consultees had supported the proposal in principle.

In terms of the scale, Miss Parker noted that long-standing Policy LQ4 and emerging Policy DM17 both require new buildings within the town centre to be at least four storeys in height.  The scale proposed accorded with this and was considered to be appropriate in the immediate context. 

No off-street parking would be provided with this development but this was considered to be acceptable given the town centre location.  Cycle parking was proposed at basement level with refuse storage available to the rear. 

Miss Parker informed the Planning Committee that no other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider planning application 21/0234 for the erection of a single storey building, canopy, decking and boundary treatment and use of premises as a bar and external seating area

The Planning Committee considered application 21/0234 for the erection of a single storey building, canopy, decking and boundary treatment and use of the premises as a bar and external seating area at the land adjacent to Central Pier, Promenade. 

Miss Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, outlined the report and informed the Planning Committee that planning permission had previously been granted for the use of the land for an outdoor tourist attraction, namely an 18 hole themed golf course.  This application related to an outdoor bar erected on the site without planning permission and is currently in use and therefore seeking retrospective permission.  The application was made in full and sought to agree all details.

The bar comprised three single-storey flat-roofed enclosed structures housing the bar, storage, and toilet facilities. The rest of the site was occupied by raised decking for external seating with a canopy over part and there was also a small covered stage at the corner of the decking.

Miss Parker drew the Planning Committee’s attention to the lengthy update note that had been prepared in response to a Counsel opinion submitted by the applicant and received by the Council on 2 August 2021.  In addition to the update note, additional comments had been received from the Council’s Heritage Officer and these comments were provided verbatim to the Planning Committee:

a)      “Under the terms of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Central Pier is a non-designated heritage asset.  It was adopted onto the Council’s List of Buildings of Local Architectural and/or Historic Interest (Local List) in 2013.  It also faces the Locally Listed Huntsman Building (former Central Beach Cinema) and the boundary of the Foxhall Conservation Area.

b)      Notwithstanding its proximity to other designated and undesignated heritage assets, the character of the pier itself was hitherto enhanced by its open setting on the Promenade and its view of the sea and beach.  Historically the town’s three piers were the only structures on the Promenade (with the exception of the Locally Listed Metropole Hotel to the north of North Pier).  This setting has been preserved to a large degree by Council policy to protect its ‘most precious resource’ (saved Policy RR7 paragraph 2.57) and emerging policy DM10.

c)      Paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that in determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting.  The Heritage Statement accompanying the application has analysed the significance of the pier, and concluded that the bar complements the modern façade of the pier and would not unduly affect its significance because the Victorian structure does not become apparent until it is traversed out to sea.  Paragraph 3.5 of the Heritage Statement also states that the proposals site provides little in the way of historical value, as an open piece of land on the promenade.  However, this open piece of land forms part of the setting, allowing views of the Victorian substructure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note the date of the next meeting as 7 September 2021.

Resolved:

To note the date of the next meeting as 7 September 2021.