Agenda item

Extension and alterations to 3 existing B1/B8 Business units to create 7 no. B1 Business units and 9 no. B2/B8 industrial units, erection of new building to create 5 B1 Business units and associated parking, access, landscaping and amenity area adjacent to Hassacarr nature area (resubmission).

Members considered a major full application, submitted by Simpson (York) Ltd, for extension and alterations to 3 existing B1/B8 Business units to create 7 B1 Business Units and 9 B2/B8 industrial units, and the erection of new building to create 5 B1 business units and associated parking, access, landscaping and amenity area adjacent to Hassacarr nature area (resubmission).   

Officers updated that if Members were minded to approve the application they would recommend the wording of condition 7 be amended to relate only to the area affected by mitigation measures. They would also recommend an additional condition relating to the mitigation measures and an additional condition relating to height of buildings.

Members discussed newts and mitigation work, cycle parking and the need for cycle parking to be accessible for visitors, and sustainability issues.

RESOLVED :That the application be approved subject to the conditions and informative outlined in the report and the following amended and additional conditions:

Amended condition 7:

Prior to the development commencing in the area beyond the front wall of unit C (North of front wall) the mitigation measures relating to greater crested newts set out in the method statement dated 15 May 2007 shall be implemented to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority and thereafter maintained.

Reason: To take account of protected species

Additional conditions :

• Prior to the commencement of the development details of the construction of the pond forming part of the Greater Crested Newt mitigation measures shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter implemented and maintained to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. 

Reason : To ensure the satisfactory implementation of the scheme.

• Notwithstanding the information contained on the approved plans, the height of the unit E shall not exceed 5.3 metres to the underside of the eaves and 7 metres to the ridge and the height of unit C shall not exceed 7.2 metres to eaves and 9.8 metres to the ridge, as measured from existing ground level. Before any works commence on the site, a means of identifying the existing ground level on the site shall be agreed in writing, and any works required on site to mark that the ground level accurately during the construction works shall be implemented prior to any disturbance of the existing ground level. Any such physical works or marker shall be retained at all times during the construction period.

Reason : To establish existing ground level and therefore to avoid confusion in measuring the height of the approved development, and to ensure that the approved development does not have an adverse impact on the character of the surrounding area.

REASON :     The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to design and landscape considerations, traffic, highway and access issues, sustainability, drainage and impact on protected species.

As such the proposal complies with Policies E3(b)  GP1, GP4a, L1(c), NE6, GP9 and GP11 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.