Agenda item

Redevelop existing walled garden, works to include erection of polytunnel, various structures, storage compound and formation of vehicular access with new gates [Fishergate Ward] [Site Visit].

Members considered a General Regulations (Reg 3) application, submitted by Mrs Claire McCormick, to redevelop an existing walled garden, the works to include the erection of a polytunnel, various structures, storage compound and the formation of a vehicular access with new gates.

Officers updated with information provided by the Steiner School, who shared access to the site, referring to the 7 parent and toddler sessions they ran each week. They confirmed that a significant number of people either walked or came by bike and used the narrow lane through the allotments. Requests had also been made for the erection of a prominent sign asking for drivers to use extreme care on the access lane.

An email received from Cllr D’Agorne was circulated to Members, which outlined his concerns regarding the safety of children using the route to access the Steiner School, by sustainable transport. He suggested that a condition should be included in any approval which specified that deliveries should be made between 09:00-12:15, 13:15-15:00 or 16:30-18:30 Monday to Friday.

Representations, in support of the application, were received from the Manager of the Skills Centre at Danesgate Pupil Support Centre. He stated that the Skills Centre had opened in January as a response to meeting the governments need to give youngsters, not in education, employment training. He hoped that this development would encourage young people to develop a commitment to continued learning. It was proposed to transform the walled garden to recreate a Victorian garden, use of this would be offered to the Steiner School and organic fruit and vegetables would be grown. Students would visit the garden on foot and spend the whole day at the site. He confirmed that only one large delivery vehicle had used the access lane since January to deliver sleepers.

Cllr Taylor, as Local Member, spoke from the floor, he confirmed that he fully supported this project. He understood that there appeared to have been no public notification of the development so the public had not had an opportunity to comment on the proposal. Officers confirmed that 36 neighbours had been notified of the development and that they were obliged to notify neighbours or erect site notices.

Members expressed their unanimous support for the proposal and confirmed that they felt that it would be unreasonable to amend or impose any further conditions.

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

REASON:                  In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to residential amenity or the character of the area. As such the proposal complies with Policy GP1, GP4a or C1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.

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

REASON:                  In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to residential amenity or the character of the area. As such the proposal complies with Policy GP1, GP4a or C1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.