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 7 March 2023 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 March 2023 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report on planning 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 Acting Service Manager, Public Protection for the period 1 February to 28 February 2023

The Committee considered an update on planning enforcement activity in Blackpool between 1 February 2023 and 28 Februrary 2023.

In total, 41 new cases had been registered for investigation in February 2023, 317 live complaints were outstanding and 21 cases had been resolved by negotiation without resource 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 Acting Service Manager, Public Protection for the period 1 March to 31 March 2023

The Committee considered an update on planning enforcement activity in Blackpool between 1 March 2023 and 31 March 2023.

In total, 44 new cases had been registered for investigation in February 2023, 365 live complaints were outstanding and 10 cases had been resolved by negotiation without resource to formal action.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To consider planning application 22/0506 for Erection of 19 shipping containers (part single and part two storey) and use of the land as food and drink venue comprising outdoor seating areas, roof terraces and canopy, external glazed balconies to upper floor, a stage and refuse store, with associated landscaping and bollard at Flagstaff Gardens/Osborne Road.

The Committee discussed planning application 22/0506 for the erection of 19 shipping containers (part single and part two storey) and use of the land as food and drink venue comprising outdoor seating areas, roof terraces and canopy, external glazed balconies to upper floor, a stage and refuse store, with associated landscaping and bollards at Flagstaff Gardens/Osborne Road, Promenade, Blackpool.

Ms S Parker, Head of Development Management, presented the report and provided the Committee with an overview of the application which was a full planning application, constituting main town centre use, for 19 stacked shipping containers and use of the site as an outdoor food and drinks venue with a stage and associated facilities. Ms Parker advised that 10 of the containers would serve food, 5 would be used for storage or staff facilities, one would provide toilets and one would be used as a stage, with 2 containers providing bars.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to a submission by the applicant along with the Planning Officer’s response to that submission, both of which had been included within the Update Note and a late representation had also been included. Ms Parker considered that all points raised had been suitably addressed through the Update Note.

The Committee was advised that the site was surrounded by major leisure attractions, food and drink venues, with permanent and visitor accommodation to the east of the site. The site housed United Utilities infrastructure on the eastern part of the site and underground along with an Electricity North West has a substation which included a right of way and cable easement.

Ms Parker advised the Committee that the site was open space and designated as green infrastructure under the recently adopted Local Plan Part 2. This site also sat within the setting of the Grade II White Tower. Ms Parker noted that the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy CS6 stated that open space and recreational land should only be built on if an assessment clearly showed that the land was surplus to requirements, that replacement provision could be provided or that alternative sports and recreation provision could be provided in order to outweigh the loss. The 2019 Open Space Assessment had also identified the space as amenity greenspace of fair quality in the Waterloo Ward and wider Inner area and therefore Planning Officers considered that it was not surplus to requirements. A sequential test had been submitted stating that no appropriate sequentially preferable alternative sites were available and this had been accepted by the Planning Officers and Ms Parker advised the Committee that Planning Officers were of the opinion that the proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on the Town Centre, nor would it affect any planned investment at Blackpool Central.

The Committee was advised of objections and concerns raised by Public Health in respect of the application and Ms Parker reminded the Committee of one of the key Council priorities which was to improve public health, particularly in view of the levels  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note the date of the next meeting will be confirmed at the Annual Council meeting to be held on the 24 May 2023.

The Committee was advised that the date of the next meeting would be confirmed at the Annual Council meeting on 24 May 2023.