Application to extend the time limit to planning permission P0604/08/COU.  Conversion and extension to former public house (Railway Tavern) to create 10 apartments with associated works (revised scheme).

Application to extend the time limit to planning permission P0604/08/COU.  Conversion and extension to former public house (Railway Tavern) to create 10 apartments with associated works (revised scheme).

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Planning Officer, Anna Welsh, referred to the late material relating to this application and informed members that the application was for an extension of time to a previous planning permission for the conversion and extension of former public house, (Railway Tavern), to create 10 apartments. (The original permission had been allowed at appeal). The planning officer said that, whilst the government was prepared to afford time limit extensions on existing planning permissions, a primary consideration for this application was whether there had been a change in either, the site circumstances or policy considerations.  She said that, in this instance, considerations included coal mining and ecology. Currently awaiting further ecology details and a consultation response from the Coal Authority, the planning officer said that the original application was subject to a unilateral agreement, for which the applicant was currently in the process of providing the necessary supplementary document. She advised members that the recommendation was one of delegated authority, subject to the Coal Authority accepting the details within the Coal Mining Risk Assessment, and with the proviso that the additional ecology survey was satisfactory. Planning permission was also subject to the satisfactory completion of the supplementary document to the unilateral undertaking.

Public speaking

Speaking as the agent for the application, the speaker said that,

‘whilst agreeing with officers about the satisfactory completion of the unilateral undertaking and noting the requirement for completion of an additional ecology survey before the target date of 24 May 2012, he said he would also appreciate a little more flexibility with this requirement to allow the applicant to work with the relevant stake-holders.

Committee consideration

Local member, Councillor Lynn Sterry, expressed concern about the condition of the property and the length of time it had been allowed to stand before falling into its current state of disrepair. Councillor Sterry asked if there was anything the council could do to return the building to its former use, bearing in mind the regeneration process that was about to commence in this area of the town. Several other members also agreed with this perspective. Group Manager for Planning and Housing, Peter Williams, advised that, at this stage in the application process, for the committee to consider such options could delay the development process even further.

Councillor Gethyn Davies referred to the unique structure of the building and said how sad it would be for the building to be demolished. Councillor Davies also suggested investigating the possibility of a council tax refund on the property as a redundant, empty building.

Despite concerns about the impact allowing a further extension of time to complete the ecology information and unilateral undertaking might have on the council’s performance targets, some members believed there could be benefits in allowing the applicant more time to submit the necessary information.

Vote

Councillor Graham Morgan proposed that the recommendation be amended to one of delegated authority, subject to an extension of time for completion of the additional ecology information and unilateral undertaking to 24 July 2012. Councillor Norman Stephens seconded the proposal. A recorded vote was taken and members,

RESOLVED that delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Planning and Housing and the Group Manager for Legal and Democratic to grant planning permission as outlined in the schedule of applications and subject to the additional conditions included in the late material. Planning permission also subject to confirmation that the Coal Authority considers the details within the Coal Mining Risk Assessment to be appropriate and the additional ecology survey being acceptable, along with the satisfactory completion of the supplemental document to the unilateral undertaking. If both the additional ecology information with any necessary mitigation scheme and the unilateral undertaking are not submitted and satisfactorily completed by 24th July 2012, delegated authority be given to the Group Manager Planning and Housing to refuse the application.

For (15)

Councillors James Bevan, Gethyn Davies, Dave East, Terry Glastonbury, Julia Gooch, Val Hobman, Jane Horne, Brian Jones, Paul McMahon, Graham Morgan, Norman Stephens, Lynn Sterry, Arthur Thomas, David Thompson and Roger Yeates.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)