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.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2022 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2022.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report on Planning/Enforcement appeals lodged and determined 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 Committee considered an update on Planning Enforcement Activity in Blackpool between 1 November and 30 November 2022.

In total, 39 cases had been registered in November 2022, 419 ‘live’ complaints were outstanding as at 30 November 2022 and 17 cases had been resolved by negotiation without recourse to formal action.

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 Committee considered an update on Planning Enforcement Activity in Blackpool between 1 December and 31 December 2022.

In total, 19 new cases had been registered for investigation in December 2022, as at 31 December 2022, there were 420 “live” complaints outstanding and in total 3 cases had been resolved by negotiation without recourse to formal action.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To consider planning application 22/0042 for the erection of 11 single private dwelling houses with associated parking and landscaping and access from Cherry Tree Road following demolition of 74 Cherry Tree Road.

Ms Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, presented the report and reminded the Committee that the application had been deferred from the December 2022 meeting in order to allow the applicant or his representative agent the opportunity to attend and answer the questions of the Committee in respect of highways and drainage matters.

Ms Parker provided the Committee with an overview of the application, the site, planning history and noted that this was a backland site, classified as greenfield land and that the proposed demolition of number 74 Cherry Tree Road would provide a two-way access directly off Cherry Tree Road. Representations against the application had been included within the officer report and the Committee was advised that site was not allocated or safeguarded for an alternative use. Although the third bedrooms fell short of minimum standards, these rooms could be used for alternative purposes and, as the proposal would make a modest contribution to the borough’s housing supply and subject to meeting the relevant planning obligations, the development was considered to be acceptable in principle.

In respect of neighbour amenity, Ms Parker outlined the consideration that had been given to the impact of the development, with some of the properties proposed to be dormer bungalows, to lower ridge levels. All would be sufficiently separated from existing properties. The site spacing was considered to be acceptable and in order to create a more engaging sense of arrival, the property on plot 6 would face towards the access road.

Ms Parker advised the Committee that the proposed access arrangements had been assessed by the Council’s Highways Officer and was considered to be acceptable. She referenced comments made by Councillors Burdess and Hutton at the December 2022 Planning Committee meeting and clarified that neither Mr John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, nor Mr Ian Large, Head of Highways and Traffic Management Services had objected to the proposal, but had merely passed informal comment whilst in the area with Councillors on other business.

In respect of drainage proposals, these had been considered by United Utilities and the Council’s drainage officer and were acceptable with the site draining to the existing combined sewer as it had been demonstrated that neither infiltration nor use of the existing watercourse were viable options. As the surface water run-off would be restricted to greenfield rates, no unacceptable impacts on flood risk were anticipated. Ms Parker noted residents’ comments regarding the dyke on the site and advised the Committee that due to its historic disrepair and the fact that it was blocked, the dyke was not considered to constitute a drainage asset. The proposed drainage system had been designed to properly drain the site as a whole and had been approved by the relevant consultees.

The site had already been cleared, however in terms of biodiversity, the development would be required to provide ecological enhancement which could be secured through condition, as would management of Japanese knotweed on the site and no material impact on environmental quality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider planning application 22/0583 for the erection of a single storey rear extension following demolition of conservatory, alterations to fenestration, installation of 1.8 metre high fencing and landscaping to the rear, renewed driveway and use as altered as 2no. self-contained supported living flats with staff accommodation at first floor.  

The Committee considered planning application number 22/0583 for the erection of a single storey rear extension following demolition of conservatory, alterations to fenestration, installation of 1.8 metre high fencing and landscaping to the rear, renewed driveway and use as altered as two self-contained supported living flats with staff accommodation at first floor at number 50 Gloucester Road, Blackpool.

Ms Susan Parker, Head of Development Management provided the Committee with an outline of the proposals for the site which had historically been used as a care home and would retain its use within Class C2.

The Committee was advised that the application had been considered under policy BH24 of the current Local Plan, which would become policy DM3, should Part 2 of the new Local Plan be approved in February 2023. Both policies indicated that the proposed use was suitable for the site and met an identified local need and this need had been confirmed by the Council’s Adult Services Team. No unacceptable impacts on local residents had been identified.

Ms Parker advised the Committee that planning permission, if granted, would be subject to a Section 106 Agreement to ensure that future tenants would be placed by or with the written agreement of the Council which would ensure that the accommodation would meet the needs of local residents. It was noted that the proposal to provide two one-bedroom flats was contrary to the Council’s usual requirements relating to housing mix. However, as this application was for specialist housing to meet an identified need, it was considered acceptable in this instance.

The Committee was asked to support the application and to delegate approval to the Head of Development Management following completion of the necessary Section 106 Agreement.

The Committee discussed the application and noted the need for care provision in Blackpool. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms Parker advised that any placements would be carried out in line with the written agreement of the Adult Services Team and that the Section 106 Agreement would specify that the facility would be for adult places.

A proposal was moved and seconded to support the application and to delegate approval to the Head of Development Management, subject to completion of the Section 106 Agreement to control occupancy.

Resolved:

To support the application and to delegate approval to the Head of Development Management, following completion of the Section 106 Agreement to control occupancy.

To consider application number 22/0859 for the Provision of 1no. full size 11 a-side artificial grass pitch and 1no. 5 a-side artificial grass pitch with associated floodlighting, erection of a single storey changing pavilion and storage building, vehicular access off Seasiders Way, parking, public realm, landscaping and associated works following demolition of an industrial building off Field Street.

The Committee considered application number 22/0859 for the provision of one full size 11 a-side artificial grass pitch and one 5 a-side artificial grass pitch with associated floodlighting, erection of a single storey changing pavilion and storage building, vehicular access off Seasiders Way, parking, public realm, landscaping and associated works following demolition of an industrial building off Field Street.

Ms Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, provided the Committee with an outline of the application and proposals for the site which comprised of two enclosed and floodlit artificial grass football pitches, changing facilities, car parking and public realm provision. The proposal also included a building to store equipment for the main stadium and would require demolition of an industrial unit on Field Street. The Committee was advised that the application site included part of a housing allocation which had been expected to deliver around 56 dwellings within the site boundary. Whilst this loss of housing allocation did weigh against the scheme, the site was not critical for housing delivery.

The Committee was advised that in relation to the Core Strategy, there was a focus on brownfield redevelopment in Inner Areas and neighbourhood regeneration and the Core Strategy supported development to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. The proposal would regenerate a partially vacant brownfield site and provide accessible sporting opportunities to a deprived Inner Area neighbourhood. Sport England had not objected to the scheme, subject to submission of a Community Use Agreement and Ms Parker confirmed that the proposal did not undermine viability of other existing or planned 3G artificial grass pitches as outlined in the Playing Pitch Strategy.

Ms Parker advised the Committee that there was no strategic need for the sporting facility, however the community and regeneration benefits weighed heavily in the planning balance and the principle of the development was considered to be acceptable. The Update note referred to a proposed single storey store in the northeast corner between the north and east stand. This location had historically been used for storage, however this had been granted temporary planning permission for use as a fan zone. Ms. Parker advised that this had no bearing upon the consideration of this application. Some potential for noise disturbance and light pollution had been identified and a condition restricting usage times of the pitches was proposed, along with angled and shrouded floodlights and a 3 metre high acoustic fence, in order to safeguard residential amenity.

The application was considered to be acceptable in terms of design and layout and a significant amount of public realm would be provided with a high quality landscaping scheme which would have a positive visual impact on the area. Though the details would need to be agreed by condition, this would provide a green link between Revoe Park and Seasiders Way and enhance biodiversity in the area.

In respect of parking provision, the Update Note stated that the final car park layout would be agreed by condition to ensure that the number of electric vehicle, accessible spaces  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To note the date of the next meeting as 7 March 2023.

Resolved:

To note the date of the next meeting as 7 March 2023.