Agenda item

Demolition of former Pickering Lodge Nursing Home and construction of 14 new homes and associated works

                The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding the proposed demolition of former Pickering Lodge Nursing Home and construction of 14 new homes and associated works (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation which included photographs of the site, the proposed layout and plans of the extent of surrounding adopted highways.

Councillor Jewell noted that he was the local Member in this instance however had not pre-determined the application however had worked with both the developer and residents regarding the application.

Mrs K Beadling, addressed the Committee to speak in objection to the application. She advised that she represented the view of many local residents who were unable to attend the meeting today.

She went on to ask a number of questions regarding the boundary wall which would be retained and queried the extension to the entrance to the site on land which did not belong to the developer.

In addition, she noted that residents had serious concerns regarding parking, noting that most homes had 2 cars and the development only catered for 19. She therefore queried whether the wide footpath which was to be provided could be narrowed to accommodate additional parking spaces. Concerns were also raised regarding the traffic which would be pulling out of the estate on to the A692 and queried the right of way.

Mrs Beadling went on to ask for clarification regarding the number of 2 and 3 bed houses proposed.

In response to the concerns and queries raised the Senior Planning Officer advised that the red line shown on this part of the plan indicated the site boundary not a new line of the boundary wall and this is why it appeared to jut out into the roadway adjacent the site entrance. Regarding the footpath, he advised that this was set to adoptable standard width and could therefore not be reduced. He further provided a detailed explanation as to why a wide entrance to the development was required, to allow for bin vehicles etc. to move freely and noted that a lined junction could be created at a relatively low cost to indicate that traffic on the existing roadway adjacent the gable end of Wigham Tce. had right of way when approaching the junction with the A692.

He further noted that there was existing problems with parking at this location however it was not the role of the application to rectify those issues.

Regarding the number of dwellings he confirmed that the development would consist of 13 – 2 bed and 1 – 3 bed dwelling. He further referred to condition 11 of the papers circulated and noted that permitted development rights would be removed for the erection of new fencing on 2 units, plots 13 and 14, where it affected highway visibility exiting Burneze Place.

He further updated members on a number of minor revisions and updates to conditions numbers 5, 6 and 11.

Mr Shipley, addressed the Committee in support of the application and to advise that the developers were serious about progressing the site and had a good history of building on similar sized sites over 40/50 years. He concluded that the site would be developed quickly and with minimum disturbance to neighbouring residents.

Councillor Shuttleworth asked whether it would not be possible to accommodate the resident’s concerns.

Councillor Shield noted that the site had been a local blight for some time and he was pleased that a developer had come forward. He did however note some concerns regarding the use of brick rather than traditional stone, which was more in keeping with the local area and in addition noted concern relating to traffic and parking namely due to the site facing on to the busy A692. He added that he did share the parking concerns raised by residents and asked if clarification could be provided regarding the number of lateral and vertical parking spaces to be provided.

In response, the Senior Planning Officer advised that 19 spaces would be provided in total with no provision of overflow parking. He advised that this was proportionate to the size of development in line with adopted highways policy. The Principle Highways Officer gave further detail on the highways and parking standards.

Councillor Shield in noting the Officers comments, added that parking was a problem across the County and felt that many new applications were exacerbating these existing problems. He suggested that work should be undertaken to assess projections for parking and the number of cars in households and to consider this carefully in the future.

Councillor Milburn MOVED that the committee be minded to approve the application.

Councillor Boyd SECONDED the motion.

Resolved: That the Committee be minded to approve the application subject to the signing of a legal agreement to secure a required contribution to Public Open Space and the revised conditions as agreed.