Agenda item

Erection of a three-storey Biomedical and Natural Sciences building. [Heslington] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full major application by University of York for the erection of a three storey Biomedical and Natural Sciences building.

In their update to Members, Officers reported that both Heslington Parish Council and the Foss (2008) Internal Drainage Board had no objections to the application. They suggested that if Members were minded to approve the application that an additional condition could be added in relation to the screening of the western boundary of the site with Walmgate Stray. In response to a question from a Member, Officers confirmed that the screening could include evergreen species.

The Council’s Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) requested that if the application was approved that several conditions and a informative be added.

Representations in support were received from applicant’s agent, Philip Holmes. He confirmed that;

·        The building would house up to 420 students, but only a proportion of this number would use the facilities at a time.

·        The University would be satisfied with an additional landscaping condition for boundary screening.

·        No extra car parking spaces were proposed.

·        56 cycle spaces were proposed.

·        There would be sufficient secure car parking for staff during Phase 1 of the development.

RESOLVED:       That the application be approved with the following additional conditions;

1.   All demolition and construction works and ancillary operations, including deliveries to and dispatch from the site, shall be confined to the following hours:-

Monday to Friday        08:00-18:00

Saturday                       09:00-13:00

Not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Reason:              To safeguard the residential amenity of nearby properties and to secure compliance with Policy GP1 of the York Development Control Local Plan.

2.   Details of all machinery, plant and equipment to be installed or located on the use hereby permitted, which is audible outside of the site boundary when in use, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval. These details shall include maximum sound levels (LAmax(f)) and average sound measures. All such approved machinery, plant and equipment shall not be used on the site except in accordance with the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority. The machinery, plant or equipment and approved noise mitigation measures shall be fully implemented and operational before the proposed use first opens and shall be appropriately maintained thereafter.

Reason:         To safeguard the residential amenity of nearby properties and to secure compliance with Policy GP1 of the York Development Control Local Plan.

3.   Prior to the commencement of the development, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for minimising the creation of noise, vibration, dust and lighting during the demolition, site preparation and construction phases of the development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. All works on site shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved scheme, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:         To safeguard the residential amenity of nearby properties and to secure compliance with Policy GP1 of the York Development Control Local Plan.

4.   In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development, the findings must be reported in writing immediately to the Local Planning Authority. In such cases, an investigation and risk assessment must be undertaken and where remediation (clean-up) is necessary a remediation scheme must be prepared, which is subject to the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

Should City of York Council become aware at a later date of suspect contaminated materials which have not been reported as described above, the Council may consider taking action under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Reason:     To secure the residential amenity of Neighbouring properties and to prevent land contamination.

5.   Prior to the commencement of the development hereby authorised, details, including types and species, and a programme of planting and maintenance, of additional landscape planting, along the western boundary of the site with Walmgate Stray shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any tree or shrub which dies or becomes diseased within a period of five years from the date of this permission shall be replaced with a specimen of similar size and species to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. The development shall thenceforth be undertaken in strict accordance with the details thereby approved.

Reason:     To safeguard the setting of Walmgate Stray to secure compliance with Policy NE8 of the York Development Control Local Plan.

REASON:           In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the Officer’s report and above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to impact upon the visual amenity of the wider street scene, impact upon the setting of Walmgate Stray and the Economic Benefits of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.