Agenda item

Prior to consideration of the application, the following persons addressed the Committee in accordance with Public Speaking Procedure Rules 3(b):

 

·         Mr Chris Arnold (to object);

·         Ms Sally Hall (to object) and;

·         Mr Andrew Bandosz (Agent) (In Support)

 

The Committee considered the above-mentioned full application for change of use of the site from established garden shed business (Use Classes E (light industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) with ancillary retail use (Use Class E) to car sales business (sui generis) for the display of cars for sale.

 

The Committee was informed by the planning officer that the site was located within the Green Belt and outside of the settlement boundary.  It was accessed off Portsmouth Road and surrounded on all sides by residential dwellings.  The site was currently comprised of a detached industrial building in the centre that was used for manufacturing sheds, a detached office building to the south and external storage and hardstanding across the front of the site which was used for the display of sheds.  The proposed change of use would incorporate the existing single storey office which would be used as a sales and administration office for the sale of cars.  The main workshop buildings would also be used for the car sales, preparation and cleaning of cars prior to sale.  The hardstanding would be used for the display of cars for sale.  The proposed opening hours were Monday to Saturday 9am to 5:30pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am to 4pm.  It was important to note that there were currently no conditions restricting the hours of operation of the existing shed factory business. 

 

The Committee noted that the elevations of the workshop buildings within the site would remain unaltered.  In the planning officer’s view, it was considered that the proposed use would not significantly increase the level of activity on the site compared to the existing use.  The site had an established light industrial use with retail sales and could therefore be used for alternative commercial uses which fell within the use classes without requiring permission.  Conditions were recommended to restrict the hours of opening and to restrict the use of car sales only to ensure the impact on neighbouring residents was minimised.  The proposed change of use of the site and re-use of existing buildings constituted appropriate development within the Green Belt and would also continue to provide employment on the site.  The proposal would not have a materially greater impact on the openness or the character of the area when compared to the existing use.  Subject to the recommended conditions, it was considered that there would not be a detrimental impact upon neighbouring amenity, would not be a material impact on the surrounding highway network and the application was therefore recommended for approval.

 

The Committee considered the application and whether it was possible to add two conditions, the first to include landscape and boundary treatments along the frontage so to break up the expanse of parked cars for sale.  This would assist with the visual amenity from the public highway.  The second condition related to the hours of operation at the weekend and bank holidays, specifically to request that no valeting or noisy operations took place during this time. The Planning Development Manager confirmed that the additional conditions proposed could be implemented.  It was also clarified that the proposed car sales business had submitted no plans for an additional car valet sub business to be run onsite.  All valeting activities would take place within the existing buildings and was solely related to the cars being prepped for sale.   Owing to concerns raised regarding lighting and the potential for light spillage to residential properties, the Committee agreed that a condition was added that required any light fittings to first be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.  

 

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the application which was carried.

 

	RECORDED VOTES LIST
	Councillor	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN
1.	Colin Cross			X
2.	Chris Blow		X
3.	Angela Gunning	X
4.	David Bilbe	X
5.	Paul Spooner	X
6.	Pauline Searle	X
7.	Susan Parker		X
8.	Liz Hogger	X
9.	Maddy Redpath	X
10.	James Steel	X
11.	Jon Askew	X
12.	Marsha Moseley	X
13.	Christopher Barrass		X
14.	Ruth Brothwell	X
	TOTAL	10	3	1

 

In conclusion, having taken account of the representations received in relation to this application, the Committee

 

RESOLVED to approve application 20/P/01569 subject to the conditions and reasons as detailed in the report and the amended condition 4 as well as additional conditions 5, 6, 7 and 8 as detailed below:

 

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three

years from the date of this permission.

 

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

as amended by Section 51(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act

2004.

 

2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the

following approved plans: TS-01-01-020 REV PF1, TS-02-02-030 REV PF2

(existing) and TS-08-04-101 REV PF2 received 17 September 2020 and

TS-02-02-030 REV PF2 (proposed) received 24 September 2020.

 

Reason: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the

approved plans and in the interests of proper planning.

 

3. The use hereby permitted shall not operate other than between the hours of 09:00

to 17:30 Mondays to Saturdays (inclusive) and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays or

Bank or National Holidays.

 

Reason: To safeguard the residential amenities of neighbouring properties.

 

4. The premises shall be used for car sales (including car valeting / cleaning relating

to the preparation of cars for sale) and for no other purpose (including any other

purpose in Class E or B2 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use

Classes) Order 1987, (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory

instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification). Any

car valeting / jet spraying / car washing carried out on the site shall only be in

connection with the preparation of cars for sale and not for any wider commercial

use / purpose.

 

Reason: In granting this permission the Local planning authority has had regard

to the special circumstances of this case and wishes to have the opportunity of

exercising control over any subsequent alternative use.

 

5. No car cleaning including car valeting, jet spraying or car washing shall take place

on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank / National Holidays.

 

Reason: To safeguard the residential amenities of neighbouring properties.

 

6. The use hereby approved shall not be commenced until full details soft landscape

proposals for the front and side boundaries of the site, including a schedule of

landscape maintenance for a minimum period of 10 years, have been submitted

to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved

landscape scheme (with the exception of planting, seeding and turfing) shall be

implemented prior to the commencement of the use hereby approved and

retained. The landscaping proposals must not encroach within the visibility splays

at the access to the site.

 

Reason: To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an

appropriate landscape scheme in the interests of the visual amenities of the

locality.

 

7. All planting, seeding or turfing approved shall be carried out in the first planting

and seeding season following the commencement of the use. Any trees or plants

which, within a period of five years after planting, are removed, die or become

seriously damaged or diseased in the opinion of the local planning authority, shall

be replaced in the next available planting sooner with others of similar size,

species and number, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning

authority.

 

Reason: To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an

appropriate landscape scheme in the interests of the visual amenities of the

locality.

 

8. No external lighting shall be installed on the site or affixed to any buildings on the

site unless the local planning authority has first approved in writing details of the

position, height, design, measures to control light spillage and intensity of

illumination. Only the approved details shall be installed.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual and/or residential amenity