Agenda item

Former Health Centre North Street Ashby De La Zouch Leicestershire LE65 1HU

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to members.

Mr P Boddington, objector, addressed the meeting.  He made reference to the lack of a dedicated drop off point, as a consequence of which, delivery vehicles were forced to stop in the road, blocking the traffic flow.  He felt that the proposals made access to the main entrance even more difficult and he urged officers to reconsider.  He added that cars often entered the car park through the exit and crossing the road to the leisure centre would be easier if a central island were installed.  He made reference to the elderly people using the junction and the Council’s duty of care to its elderly residents. 

Mr C Wood, agent, addressed the meeting.  He stated that there had been a lot of professional input into the design of the car park using up to date legislation and design guidance which would deal with the concerns raised by Mr Boddington.  He highlighted the dedicated ambulance pick up point right outside the door of the centre which was a huge improvement on the current design.  He added that improvements to the signage and design of the exit were being carried out to prevent vehicles entering through the exit.  He highlighted that the residents of Hood Court themselves had been involved and numerous meetings with residents had taken place and would continue to ensure the concerns raised by residents were addressed.  He added that all stakeholders had been involved in the process. 

Councillor J Hoult moved that the application be permitted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation.  This was seconded by Councillor G Jones.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he would be supporting the proposition, however he commented that the site would require a considerable amount of demolition work which would require a number of large vehicles.  He expressed concerns in respect of the parking arrangements and proposed that there should be a condition requiring the contractor to work in conjunction with officers, the Town Council and residents to discuss how deliveries and the demolition would take place.  He highlighted his previous experience with poor contractors parking inconsiderately, blocking main roads and deterring residents from parking near their own homes.  He requested a similar arrangement to the Pick and Shovel development. 

The Head of Planning and Regeneration agreed that it was in everyone’s interests to ensure that the construction and demolition process was carried out in a considerate way.  He recommended that the motion be amended to include an additional planning condition to require a demolition and construction management plan. 

This was agreed by the proposer and seconder of the motion.

Councillor P Purver supported the proposals, however she expressed concern that the layout of the parking spaces encouraged reversing out of parking spaces.  She asked if the layout had been decided.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration advised that the layout had been considered with expert input.  He added that reversing was inevitable at some point and therefore he did not feel the proposed layout created an unacceptable risk in what would be a low-speed environment.

In response to a question from Councillor R Canny, the Senior Planning Officer advised that the conditions listed in the report were standard matters, and the only outstanding matter which needed to be addressed was the implications of the development on the highway at weekends. 

The Chairman stated that this matter should be delegated to officers. 

It was moved by Councillor J Hoult, seconded by Councillor G Jones and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    Subject to an additional condition in respect of a demolition and construction management plan, the application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration. 

The wording of the condition be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration.