Agenda item

Erection of a three-storey office and training centre (Use Class B1 / D1) with access, car parking, delivery / service bay.

The Senior Planning Officer, Graham Blakey gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, a copy of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site.  The application was for the erection of a three-storey office and training centre (Use Class B1 / D1) with access, car parking, delivery / service bay and was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The Senior Planning Officer highlighted on photographs and elevation drawings how the proposed development mirrored the nearby Wear House and Severn House in terms of design and noted there was an extant permission for a two-storey building, with this application looking to increase this to three-storeys and to include the associated additional car parking required.  He added that access and all other arrangements were as per the previous permission.

The Committee noted no objections from the statutory and internal consultees, other than the Coal Authority noting concern as regards a mineshaft on site, and while it was felt this was not under the site of the building and had previously been remediated, they suggested a condition be required in terms of a risk assessment to be carried out.

The Senior Planning Officer noted that the use classes of B1 and B8 were established and the Training Centre as Class D1 was felt to also be an acceptable use.  It was noted that the City of Durham Local Plan Policy did not generally permit the latter use class, however it was considered to represent a similar planning use and therefore the application was proposed for approval, subject to conditions.

Councillor K Corrigan moved that the application be approved; she was seconded by Councillor J Blakey.

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee.