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 7 September 2021 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 September 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.  Three appeals had been lodged and one appeal had been determined.  This appeal had been dismissed by the Planning Inspector.

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 a report on planning enforcement activity within Blackpool between 1 August 2021 and 31 August 2021.  During August 23 new cases were registered for investigation and as at 31 August 2021 there were 496 “live” complaints outstanding.  In total 13 cases had been resolved by determination without recourse to formal action.  Two S215 notices had been issued along with two Community Protection Warnings. 

Resolved:

To note the update.

To consider planning application 21-0517 for:

(A)    Outline planning application with all matters reserved for: Demolition of all buildings on site and;

·       Erection of three indoor theme park buildings incorporating ancillary retail/food/drinking establishment uses.

·       Erection of a building to provide a hotel with ancillary and independent restaurants/drinking establishments.

·       Creation of new public realm spaces including a public square to be used for live events Erection of buildings within the public realm for the sale of food and drink and for use as drinking establishments including provision of way-finding vertical feature Provision of new coach station and car park.

·       Associated infrastructure including access, drainage features and electrical substation(s).

(B)    Full planning permission for:

·       Former King Edward VII Picture House - external alterations, demolition of single-storey extension to rear, erection of single-storey extension to rear, erection of glazed canopy to side, and for use as a drinking establishment and sale and consumption of food and drink.

·       King Edward Public House - external alterations, demolition of single-storey extensions to rear, and use as a drinking establishment and the sale and consumption of food and drink and as an apart-hotel.

·       Former King Edward Apartments - external alterations, demolition of two-storey extension to rear, erection of 5-storey extension and use as an apart-hotel with ground floor retail and food and/or drinking establishment uses Creation of new public realm and service area to rear of buildings.

·       External alterations to existing substations including partial demolition Erection of a 7-level multi-storey car park-and associated infrastructure including new electrical sub-station with access and egress from Seasiders Way and Chapel Street.

·       Demolition of single-storey units fronting Central Drive on either side of the former apartment block Creation of access from Central Drive.

·       Details of vehicular access and egress from Seasiders Way and Chapel Street.

The Planning Committee considered planning application 21/0517 for Land Bounded by Central Drive, New Bonny Street, Bonny Street, Seasiders Way and Chapel Street

Miss Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, provided the Committee with a presentation that outlined the application in detail. She described the site and broadly explained the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, confirming that the overall findings of the submitted Environmental Statement had been accepted.

Miss Parker detailed the various elements of the proposal and advised that nine representations had been received in response to the application as detailed in the officer report and update note.

Miss Parker informed the Committee that the scheme was of mixed use but the main goal was to provide a new leisure attraction. In respect of policies, she advised that CS20 of the Core Strategy was the most relevant and that, whilst Members were acknowledged to be familiar with the policies of the Development Plan, a paper copy of CS20 had been provided for convenient ease of reference.

Some of the key issues for the Committee to consider were whether the proposal was ‘new’, whether it would be significant enough to deliver the regeneration ambitions of the policy, and the impact it would have on existing attractions. Blackpool Pleasure Beach considered the proposals to be contrary to Policy CS20 and had objected to the application on that basis. Their comments were detailed in the officer report and update note.

Whilst there was no planning definition of a theme park, general industry understanding suggested that it was not materially different to an amusement park. The Pleasure Beach is an amusement park and Members must therefore consider the extent to which the proposal was represented a different form of attraction. The flying theatre would definitely be a new attraction for Blackpool. The theme parks would be entirely indoor and would therefore be a year-round attraction.

The Statement of Intent submitted by the applicant identified the provision of virtual reality and multi-media elements. Condition 5 as proposed would require the development to proceed in broad accordance with the theme of ‘ancient discoveries, aliens, adventure and mystery’ as set out in that document. Miss Parker noted that a unified theme across all aspects of the leisure offer within the indoor theme parks would create an attraction of scale. It was acknowledged that the proposal in itself may not be of national significance but would add to the existing offer and support the resort as a whole as a national destination.

Miss Parker advised of the challenges in predicting visitor numbers. Overall the scheme was anticipated to attract a significant number of visitors without having an unacceptable impact on existing attractions. 

The Committee was reminded that compliance or conflict with any one policy of the Development Plan, including CS20, had to be balanced against compliance with the Development Plan as a whole and all relevant material considerations in reaching a decision.

Miss Parker explained the requirements relating to the provision of hotel accommodation and advised again  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider planning application 21/0527 for:

Demolition of single-storey rear extension, erection of two-storey rear extension, demolition of attached single storey retail unit with erection of glazed canopy to side, installation of replacement windows, stone and brickwork repairs, roof repairs, removal installation of 6 No. roof lights, installation of new entrance doors on front elevation, provision of replacement doors to sub-station along with alterations to brickwork enclosure, installation of new cast iron rainwater goods, internal alterations (including partial removal of the later first-floor structure), and use of premises for the sale and consumption of food and drink. 

The Planning Committee considered application 21/0527 for the former King Edward VII Picture House, Central Drive. 

Miss Susan Parker, Head of Development Management, outlined the report, the nature of the application and the details of what was proposed.

The building as altered would be used for the sale and consumption of food and drink in the form of an artisan market or food hall. The building dated back to 1913 and was listed as Grade II in 1983. Historic England, Theatres Trust, Cinemas Trust, Lancashire County Council Archaeology Service, the Civic Trust and Blackpool’s Built Heritage Manager have all considered the proposals.  Two representations were received in relation to the application and these were detailed in the officer report.

Miss Parker noted that the building had been subject to a number of unsympathetic alterations over the years and these had been damaging to its character and significance. The building had deteriorated with a leaking roof causing ceiling damage. There was some evidence of slight structural movement and the basement was susceptible to flooding.

The application had been considered with due regard to the statutory duties contained in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and relevant paragraphs of the National Planning Policy Framework. The benefits of bringing the building back into active use and thereby safeguarding its future were well recognised and the proposal was welcomed. Given the history of the building and wider area, the use proposed was considered to be appropriate.

Miss Parker advised the Committee that the Council would benefit financially from the sale of this building but that this was not a material planning consideration and therefore no weight should be attached to it.

The building had been vacant for several years and was semi-derelict. Most original internal features had been removed or severely compromised. Bringing the building back into beneficial use, restoring lost features and repairing those that remain would significantly enhance the character and significance of the building as a heritage asset. Subject to the conditions recommended, the works would result in less than substantial harm and the harm that would arise would be clearly outweighed by the benefits of the scheme. Members were recommended to grant Listed Building Consent subject to the conditions listed in the officer report.

The Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Owen, noted the contribution of the Council’s Heritage Assets Officer to the report. 

Mr Adrian Spawforth, Agent for the Applicant, spoke in favour of the application and assured that Committee that it was the applicant’s intention to ensure that any changes did not detract from the building and that the heritage asset was integrated into the scheme. 

The Committee discussed the application and noted that this building had been subject to a number of applications over the years and this was an opportunity to retain and restore an iconic building.

Resolved:

That the application is approved subject to the conditions in the officer report.

To note the date of the next meeting as 16 November 2021.

Resolved:

To note the date of the next meeting as 16 November 2021.