Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2018, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

In order to avoid any allegation of bias, Councillor R. Hignett did not take part in the debate or vote in the following item as he sits on the JV Board at Daresbury Sci-Tech.

In order to avoid any allegation of bias, Councillor Morley did not take part in the debate or vote on the following item as he is a member of the Bridgewater Canal Trust.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

The Committee was advised that since the publication of the agenda, correspondence had been received from Peel Holdings focussing on the need for a marina and improvements to the Bridgewater Canal, as stated in the published supplementary information update list.  It was noted that this correspondence added details in relation to the improvements to the Canal that were covered in the original objection, as detailed in the report.

In addition it was reported that Network Rail had provided a number of recommendations, which would be attached to the relevant planning permissions; one was concerning boundary treatment details along the development boundary of the West Coast Mainline.  A further condition was recommended to application 17/00407/OUTEIA for the treatment and eradication of Japanese Knotweed.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Thompson who was a representative from the Bridgewater Canal Company.  He stated that the proposals did not pay enough attention to what was a 250 year old leisure, tourist and wildlife facility and had played a role in shaping the region.  He argued that the fact that there was no mention of a marina or linear country park alongside the Canal was contrary to the Core Strategy.  He felt the Canal had not been embraced and criticised the lack of consideration given to enhancing it in the proposed development.  He did not object in principle to the development but urged that the Canal be integrated more into the proposals and that funding be made available for this.

Mr Page, a representative of the applicant, then addressed the Committee.   He stated that this site was of strategic importance to the Borough and the Core Strategy showed the whole site was allocated for primarily residential and employment development, reflecting the uses suggested by the planning applications.  He outlined the social benefits to the scheme and employment benefits considering the neighbouring site Sci-Tech Daresbury.  He also stated that the proposals would bring an improvement in local services and open spaces.  In response to the comments made regarding the inclusion of a marina in the proposals, he referred to paragraphs 9.9 to 9.15 of the Officer’s report and stated the applicant shared the concerns in relation to this. 

Councillor J. Bradshaw raised concerns over the narrow access to the site through Delph Lane and the fact that Keckwick underbridge would be closed to the public thus impacting on local residents accessing Moore Village.  In response it was confirmed that the underbridge would be closed to motor vehicles and only a small number of them used the underbridge each day as more of a ‘cut through’, so it was an on balance decision made to include a high quality path instead.  Regarding the narrowness of Delph Lane, Officers advised that this would be widened to construct a proper carriageway.

 Discussions around the viability and planning obligations from the development pursued and what funding was / could be used  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

In order to avoid any allegation of bias, Councillor R. Hignett did not take part in the debate or vote on the following item as he sits on the JV Board at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

It was reported that since the report was published there were conditions recommended to be re-worded from requiring ‘submission’ to requiring ‘approval’ as stated in the update list.  Additionally, the applicant had responded to the technical highway issues resulting from the gradient of Keckwick Lane and had amended the scheme in accordance with the advice from the Local Highway Authority.  It was noted that a further amendment was required to ensure appropriate planting was undertaken adjacent to the adopted highway and that conditions were recommended in relation to this. 

The Committee agreed that the application be approved subject to the addition of the conditions discussed above and the conditions listed in the report.

RESOLVED:  That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.     Standard 3 year implementation period (BE1);

2.     Amended plans and DAS (BE1 and TP17);

3.     Prior to commencement submission of levels (BE1);

4.     Prior to commencement submission of a highway signage scheme to be approved and implemented prior to occupation (TP17);

5.     Prior to commencement submission of additional cross sections through the north of the site along the access road and car park (TP17);

6.     Prior to commencement submission of an updated tracking scheme in relation to vehicle movements within the scheme and on Keckwick Lane, for approval and implementation prior to occupation (TP17);

7.     Prior to commencement details of the access tie-ins onto Keckwick Lane shall be provided.  Any required improvements shall be undertaken prior to occupation (TP17);

8.     Prior to commencement an amended layout to show prevention methods for inappropriate parking along the access into the site from Keckwick Lane.  Such details as approved to be implemented prior to occupation (TP17);

9.     Prior to commencement a scheme of Electric Vehicle charging points to be approved and implemented prior to occupation (NPPF);

10. Prior to commencement a Travel Plan to be submitted and approved and implemented on occupation and updated on an agreed timetable with the LPA (TP16);

11. Prior to commencement submission of surface and other drainage (BE1);

12. Prior to commencement submission of materials (BE1 and CS11);

13. Prior to commencement submission of hard and soft landscaping including use of native species for replacement tree and new shrub planting phase; planting of a native hedgerow along the proposed southern access road, creation of a pond and/or linear features using locally native planting; in accordance with the submitted Landscaping Masterplan and to mitigate for this loss of habitat on the site (BE1);

14. Prior to commencement submission of construction management plan (TP17);

15. Prior to commencement submission of wheel cleansing details (TP17);

16. The 3m cycle and footway on Keckwick Lane shall be provided prior to the occupation of the buildings (TP17 & TP6);

17. The development shall be carried out in accordance with report includes mitigation, section 4.4 – Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Sci-Tech Daresbury (West) – Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Sci  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

Since the publication of the agenda it was reported that detailed section drawings had now been supplied by the applicant to demonstrate that the existing mound would not be significantly impacted on by the proposed development and this would be retained as a barrier between adjoining residential properties.  It was confirmed that the height of the bund would remain the same and Officers provided a drawing for Members to see, which explained this.  It was noted that following receipt of a Flood Risk Assessment, a condition requiring the development be carried out in accordance with the assessment was recommended, in lieu of condition 8 within the recommendation.

The Committee agreed that the application be approved subject to the conditions listed.

RESOLVED:  That the application be approved subject to conditions relating to the following:

1.     Standard 3 year timescale for commencement of development;

2.     Specifying approved/amended plans;

3.     Requiring submission and agreement of a Construction Environmental Management Plan;

4.     Materials condition, requiring materials to match existing/accord with submitted details (BE2);

5.     Landscaping condition, requiring submission and approval of both hard and soft landscaping including replacement/enhanced landscaping of the mound (BE1/2);

6.     Construction and delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1);

7.     Submission and agreement of detailed lighting scheme (PR4/GE1);

8.     Submission and agreement of detailed drainage scheme / to be carried out as approved (PR16);

9.     Vehicle access, parking, servicing etc, to be constructed prior to occupation of properties / commencement of use (BE1);

10. Requiring submission and agreement of an updated green travel plan (TP16);

11. Requiring submission and agreement of finished site levels / to be carried out as approved (BE1);

12. Submission and agreement of Site Waste Management Plan (WM8);

13. Submission and agreement of a sustainable waste management plan (WM9); and

14. Requiring submission and agreement of onsite waste storage (WM9).

The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.

Members approved the request for a Certificate of Appropriate Alternative Development for Residential Development.

RESOLVED:  That a certificate be issued, pursuant to Section 17 of the Land Compensation Act 1961, that permission would have been granted for residential development on the land shown on the plan received on 16 November 2017, subject to the following:

1.     Compliance with the Council new Residential Design Guidance;

2.     Submission of surveys in relation to contaminated land and trees; and

3.     Compliance with the Council’s Affordable Housing Policy.

The following application had been withdrawn:

17/00558/LBC

Application for Listed Building Consent for the installation of 6 non-illuminated advertising displays at Widnes Railway Station, Victoria Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7TJ.

The following application had gone to appeal:

17/00199/FUL

Proposed erection of 1 single storey detached dwelling with new vehicular access at 149 Main Street, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2PP.