63.1 Item 3

Application         DC/18/02200

Proposal             Planning Application – Erection of 7 new commercial buildings providing 24 business units (B1 B2 and B8), 1 new general agricultural store with associated access following demolition of existing buildings. Creation of parking areas, landscaping, SuDS and a new access road. 

Site Location      WHERSTEAD-  Park Farm Barns, Vicarage Lane, Wherstead

Applicant             Tidal Hill Ltd.

63.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site and the Officer Recommendation of approval with conditions.

63.3 Members considered the representation from the Parish Council representative, David Baldry.

63.4 Members considered the representation from the Objector, Robin Coates.

63.5 The Case Officer responded to the Objectors representation regarding the phasing of the development with regards to the construction and completion of the new road being moved from Phase 2 to Phase 1 of the development.

63.6 Members considered the representation from the Agent, Roger Welchman.

63.7 The Agent responded to a question from the Committee regarding the access road and that he did not know whether the road would be adopted by Suffolk County Council but that it would be built to their standard.

63.8 The Ward Member declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was very distantly related to the owner but had not contacted them in many years.

63.9 Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Nick Ridley.

63.10 Members debated the application on the issues including: the timeframe of the development being completed, the provision of the new road, the construction and method plan of the site, the management of the site, the growth and expansion of the business and the improved access arrangements.

63.11 The Case Officer responded to Members questions that the applicant would be paying for the new access road.

63.12 Councillor Michael Holt proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer Recommendation with the additional conditions as outlined by the Case Officer that the new access onto the A137 remains open and available for use at all times and is in place prior to the occupation of the first unit on Phase 1

63.13 Councillor Stephen Plumb seconded the proposal.

63.14 RESOLVED

That authority be delegated to the Acting Chief Planning Officer to grant planning permission subject to conditions to his satisfaction and including:

1.     Time limit (3 years)

2.     To be built in accordance with approved drawings

3.     Use restricted to those applied for [including agricultural for agriculture only]

4.     No mezzanines to be inserted without further planning permission

5.     Removal of B class pd + O etc

6.     Details required of actual materials

7.     No outside storage

8.     Provision of landscape buffer within an agreed timescale + management plan

9.     Provision of new access road [phase 1 or 18 months from commencement]

10.No external lighting ducting telecoms apparatus etc without pp

11.Removal of agricultural pd on new barns/site

12.Waste storage arrangements to be agreed

13.Signage strategy to be agreed

14.Code of construction statement required

15.Travel plan required

16.Electric charging points required and sustainability statement

17.Bat boxes and bird boxes and other ecological mitigation

18.Staff picnic area to be provided as part of initial phase

19.Control on evening delivery and operational hours for B2 & B8 uses

20.As required by SCC Highways

21.As required by relevant drainage authorities

22.Archaeology

Additional Conditions

·       That the new access onto the A137 remains open and available for use at all times and is in place prior to occupation of the first unit on Phase 1.