Agenda item

Two storey extension to existing office to provide office, laboratory and warehouse premises (1,773 sq m) [Skelton, Rawcliffe, Clifton Without].

Members considered a major full application, submitted by Keyland Gregory Ltd, for a two storey extension to existing office to provide office, laboratory and warehouse premises (1,773 sqm).

Officers updated that Clifton Without Parish Council and Clifton Moor Business Association had no objections to the application. Yorkshire Water Authority had no objections subject to the addition of four additional conditions relating to foul and surface water drainage, and proximity of the development to the public sewer. Officers also referred to para. 1.2 of the Planning Officers report which stated that the proposed occupier of the premises ADVA were intending to relocate to this site but they confirmed that they were to retain their existing premises in addition to this development. Confirmation had also been received from the applicants that the fire escape staircase would be fenced and gated to prevent anti social behaviour.

Officers stated that the applicant had also been requested to provide a sustainability statement but that this had not been received. The applicant had indicated that as this was the fourth application for this site and a sustainability statement had now been requested for any of the earlier applications they did not feel it necessary for this application. Officers confirmed that an additional condition requiring submission of a Green Travel Plan was also proposed.

Members questioned the proposed 44 car parking spaces as opposed to the Local Plan stipulation of a maximum of 35 for this Unit. Officers confirmed that, as this was not the first application for this site and previous applications had been refused but not on parking grounds that it would now be inconsistent to refuse on parking grounds. Members also requested the addition of an informative to an approval requesting the applicants to contact the Councils Sustainability Officer and conditioning of the materials for the car park to secure the use of porous materials.

Representations were made on behalf of the applicant who confirmed that the Unit would provide additional space for ADVA to enable them to expand and undertake new contracts.

Councillor Moore stood down from the Committee and spoke from the floor as Ward Councillor. He expressed his support for the development, which would allow the business to expand, and stated that he felt any increase traffic to the site would be insignificant.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the imposition of the conditions listed in the report and the addition of the following conditions and informative:

1                      Prior to the development coming into use a travel plan shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The site shall be occupied in accordance with the agreed travel plan.

2        Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, no building or other obstruction shall be located over or within 4 metres either side of the centre line of the sewer which crosses the site.

3        The site shall be developed with separate systems of drainage for foul and surface water on and off the site.

4    No development shall take place until details of the proposed means of disposal of foul and surface water drainage, including details of any balancing works and off-site works, have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

     5     Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, there shall be no piped discharge of surface water from the development prior to the completion of the approved surface water discharge works and no buildings shall be occupied or brought into use prior to completion of the approved foul drainage works.

    6      Prior to development commencing details of the surface material for the car park and vehicular areas shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The surfacing shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and thereafter maintained.

7        Prior to commencement of the development details of the means of enclosure around the base of the fire escape shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The enclosure shall be constructed in accordance with the agreed details and thereafter maintained.

Informative:            The Council would advise that contact is made with the Sustainability Officer, Kristina Peat (01904 551 666), in order to receive guidance on increasing the sustainability of the development.

REASON:                  In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would utilise an existing employment site and not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the impact on the character and appearance of the area.  As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and E3a of the City of York Draft Local Plan.