Agenda item

Erection of 7 single storey buildings forming an equine hospital and training centre with associated outdoor facilities, car parking and new access. [Rural West York] [Site Visit].

Members considered a major full application from the Minster Veterinary Practice and Askham Bryan College for the erection of seven single storey buildings forming an equine hospital and training centre with associated outdoor facilities, car parking and new access.

 Officers advised that Structures and Drainage had objected due to insufficient information having been received by the developer to determine the potential impact the proposal may have on the existing drainage systems. However they had advised that this information could be sought by a condition DRAIN 1. Officers further advised that the agent had since submitted draft heads of terms which outline the proposed educational use of the facility and which could be used when considering any conditions on this issue.

Representations were received from the agent in support of the application. He stated that the scheme proposes a centre of excellence in equine practice and in educational terms the equine practice and college were inextricably linked therefore students would benefit. He advised the Committee that the current site in Poppleton was cramped and inadequate. The opportunity for the facility to be situated on the college campus would mean that students in equine practice would not need to go off site for the practical content of their course. In response to queries from Members, the Principal of the College provided further information on courses and students numbers. Members asked that a condition be added requiring the college to provide a plan of student involvement detailing which courses would involve practical teaching and training at the equine hospital and that a record of student involvement in the practice be maintained thereafter.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the additional conditions below.

Additional Condition 17

Development shall not begin until details of foul and surface water drainage works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and carried out in accordance with these approved details.

Reason: So that the Local Planning Authority may be satisfied with these details for the proper drainage of the site.

Additional Condition 18

Prior to the commencement of development on site an educational statement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The statement shall specify which educational courses from Askham Bryan College will be undertaking teaching and training at the equine hospital, the number of hours of teaching for each course and the type of teaching undertaken at the hospital. A record of this information shall be maintained by Askham Bryan College and the veterinary practise occupying the site. The educational use of this site shall be carried out in accordance with these approved details from when the development hereby approved comes into use and the hours of teaching and training to Askham Bryan College students within the hospital shall not fall below that specified in the agreed educational statement.

Reason: So the proposal complies with the preferred educational use of the Major Developed Site in the Green belt, and to maintain an educational link between the proposed development and Askham Bryan College.

REASON                   The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and the additional conditions above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the impact on the openness of the Green Belt, design and landscape considerations, and highway issues. It is considered that very special circumstances, namely the establishment of a veterinary facility with improved facilities, together with the additional educational opportunities that would result from the collaboration with the college, together with the limited visual impact of the proposal due to the existing and proposed screening arrangements and the particular site characteristics would minimise the harm to the Green Belt. As such the proposal complies with Policy YH9 and Y1C of The Yorkshire and Humber Plan, Policies GB1, GP1, GP9 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan and Government policy contained within Planning Policy Guidance note 2 'Green Belts'.