Minutes:
The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.
The Committee was addressed by Jaki Florek, who represented the volunteer ‘not for profit’ Company ‘LOOSE’ who worked from the neighbouring ‘Studio’ building. They objected to the application on the grounds that the proposed residential use was not a suitable use for the site. She stated that this development would restrict the activities of The Studio with regards to noise limits as future residents would complain about noise levels being emitted. She informed the Committee that The Studio was occupied 7 days a week by a wide range of people playing live music and employed 6 people. She raised concerns about the future of The Studio, should such complaints be made. She referred to the National Planning and Policy Framework and requested that the space used as a greenspace instead, which was deficient in the area. It was noted that full objection details were appended to the report as Appendix one.
The Council’s Environmental Officer had advised that no complaints had previously been made with regards to noise pollution from The Studio so therefore they raised no objection to the application. It was noted that the site itself was not designated as greenspace within the Halton Unitary Development Plan.
Members raised concerns over the issue of the potential for noise disturbance to a residential development and requested that a noise survey of The Studio be conducted by the Environmental Health Department. It was agreed that this could then be determined under delegated powers.
RESOLVED: That:
a) authority be delegated to the Operational Director – Planning, Policy and Transportation in consultation with the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee, to approve the application subject to the submission of a satisfactory Environment Health noise survey on The Studio building;
b) And the following Conditions:
1. Standard 3 year permission to commence development (BE1);
2. Condition specifying amended land (BE1);
3. Requiring submission and agreement of a Construction Management Plan including vehicle access routes and construction car parking (BE1);
4. Materials condition, requiring the submission and approval of the materials to be used (BE2);
5. Landscaping condition, requiring the submission of both hard and soft landscaping to include replacement tree and hedgerow planting (BE22);
6. Boundary treatments including retaining walls to be submitted and approved in writing (BE22);
7. Wheel cleansing facilities to be submitted and approved in writing (BE);
8. Construction and delivery hours to be adhered to throughout the course of the development (BE1);
9. Vehicle access, parking, servicing etc to be constructed prior to occupation of properties/commencement of use (BE1);
10. Conditions relating to the agreement and implementation of bin store provision (BE1);
11. Submission and agreement of finished floor and site levels (BE1);
12. Site investigation, including mitigation to be submitted and approved in writing (PR14);
13. Requiring submission, agreement and implementation of cycle parking (TP6);
14. Submission and agreement of biodiversity enhancement features including wildlife friendly planting, insect and bird boxes (BE1 and GE21); and
15. An additional condition for the submission of a satisfactory noise survey.