Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 October 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Committee will be requested to note the planning appeal lodged.

The Committee considered a report outlining details of a planning appeal lodged since the last meeting.

Resolved:  To note the planning appeal lodged.

Background paper:  Letter from the Planning Inspectorate dated 13^th October 2015.

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

The Committee considered a report summarising planning enforcement activity within Blackpool during September 2015.

Resolved:  To note the outcomes of the cases in the report and to support the actions of the Service Manager, Public Protection Department in authorising the notices.

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 application 15/0362 for the erection of a three storey building comprising 15 two bedroom self-contained permanent flats with vehicle access to rear from Gynn Avenue and associated car parking facilities for 13 vehicles and refuse store to rear.

Mr Shaw, Principal Planning Officer presented the Committee with a brief outline of the application and the proposed plans for the development.  Members were reminded that the application had been deferred from a previous meeting due to the late receipt of an objection from the Head of Transportation. Following this, a meeting had been held with the applicant to discuss the concerns raised by the Head of Transportation and this had resulted in an amended plan being submitted.  The revised plan included an increase in the number of parking spaces and the relocation of the proposed refuse bins to enable easier access. 

Mr Shaw reported on improvements made to the appearance of the building and explained that the facing materials would be dealt with as a condition of the planning permission.  Members were advised that consent had already been given for the demolition of the existing building. Mr Shaw concluded by advising Members of the sustainability and suitability of the location for the proposed development.

Responding to a concern raised regarding the impact on parking as a result of the development, Mr Shaw confirmed that the proposed number of parking spaces was considered appropriate for the size of the development and given the location of the sites relative to local facilities.

Resolved: That the application be approved, subject to the conditions, and for the reasons set out in the appendix to the minutes.

Background papers: Applications, plans and replies to consultations upon the applications.

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 application 15/0583 for the retention of a temporary amenity building for a period of two years.

Mr Johnston, Head of Development Management, presented the Committee with a brief overview of the application and the site layout and elevational plans.  Members were reminded that at its meeting in March the Committee had approved plans for an amenity building on the site.  Mr Johnston advised Members that the application before the Committee was for a temporary amenity building on the site until the approved amenity building could be erected.  The temporary building would be located partially on the footprint of the approved amenity building. Whilst the application requested the temporary amenity building be in place for a period of two years, Mr Johnston considered an 18 month period would be more appropriate to enable construction of the approved amenity building to take place in Spring 2017.   He referred Members to the Update Note and the associated photograph.  Mr Johnston reported on the main differences between the temporary amenity building and the approved permanent amenity building.  Members were advised of the layout of the temporary amenity building which comprised of a shower, toilet facilities, kitchen area and day room.  Mr Johnston reported that the temporary amenity building had previously been located at another site on School Road, for which it had previously received planning permission.

Mr Lancaster, public objector, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Jenkins, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Stansfield, Ward Councillor, spoke on behalf of Mr Lancaster and his family in objection to the application.

On invitation from the Chairman, Mr Johnston responded to the representations.  He confirmed that prior permission for the amenity building at a different site in the nearby area was a material consideration and cited other similar buildings within the area that had been used as a short term solution. He confirmed that some of the work that would be carried out for the temporary building would also serve the permanent building.  He confirmed that, in his view, there would be no material impact on any alleged flooding and no impediment to visibility for pedestrians as a result of the siting of the temporary amenity building. 

In response to claims that no progress had been made to meet the requirements of the conditions associated with the previous planning permission for the site, Mr Johnston reported on some of the work that had been undertaken, although accepted that it might not have been carried out as quickly as hoped.  He confirmed that the building had appeared on site in July 2015 without the appropriate planning permission. 

During its deliberations, the Committee raised concerns regarding the installation of the temporary amenity building without the appropriate planning permission and the potential for the building, if permission was granted, to remain on site following the approved period, particularly if funds had already been spent on its installation. Further concerns included the arrangements that would be put in place during the time that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.