Agenda item

Erection of health centre with pharmacy and associated parking and landscaping

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding an application for the erection of a health centre with pharmacy and associated parking and landscaping (for copy see file of Minutes).

A Inch, Principal Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site. Members had visited the site that day and were familiar with the location and setting.

In presenting the report the Officer advised that concerns expressed by a local resident about landscaping had now been satisfactorily addressed by the developers.

D Stewart, Highways Officer stated that site visibility at the junction with Watling Road was acceptable and proposed conditions would ensure highway safety on the surrounding network. In response to a question from Councillor Buckham he advised that, in determining the level of parking for the health centre, priority was given to the number of disabled spaces in the public parking areas. Disabled parking provision in the staff area was an issue for the applicant to determine.     

Councillor Richardson referred to the yellow box junction at the access to the Police and Ambulance Services and the Highways Officer confirmed that this would not be removed as part of the proposed highway works. This was welcomed by Councillor Mowbray who noted that the access was also used by visitors to the Chiropody Centre.

J Baird, the agent informed the Committee that highway consultants had been employed to assess the most appropriate location for the site entrance which had been located at the furthest point possible from the access used by the Police and Ambulance Service. The highway works proposed by condition were acceptable to the applicant and would be carried out prior to the development being brought into use.

In determining the application Members welcomed the proposals which would enhance local facilities for local residents and would bring back into use a site that had stood derelict for 2 years.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report.