Agenda item - BH2019/00544 -270 Old Shoreham Road, Hove - Full Planning

Demolition of existing buildings (Sui Generis) and the erection of a part 2 storey, part 3 storey building plus lower ground floor and basement comprising self storage facility (B8) and flexible office space (B1) together with vehicular and pedestrian accesses, parking, associated works and landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION - Minded to Grant

Ward Affected: Hove Park

              Demolition of existing buildings (Sui Generis) and the erection of a part 2 storey, part 3 storey building plus lower ground floor and basement comprising self-storage facility (B8) and flexible office space (B1) together with vehicular and pedestrian accesses, parking, associated works and landscaping.

(1)          It was noted that this application had formed the subject of a site visit prior to the meeting.

              Officer Presentation

(2)          The Principal Planning Officer, Henrietta Ashun, introduced the application and gave a detailed presentation by reference to site plans, photographs and elevational drawings detailing the proposals. Reference was also made to the amendment to the recommendation, additional s106 obligations and additional conditions referred to in the Late/Additional Representations List. The site was located on the southern side of Old Shoreham Road was 0.4ha and currently housed a single storey building and car park area providing 1,316 sq.m of floorspace and around 80 car parking spaces

(3)          it was noted that the main considerations in determining the application related to the principle of the development, impact of the development on the character and appearance of the area, neighbouring amenity, sustainable transport impacts including cycle parking demand, highway safety, and the contribution made to other objectives of the development plan. The applicant had demonstrated that there was need for such a facility in the local area. In view of the previous use of the site, it was considered that both the environmental impact in relation to noise would not be worsened and sustainable measures had also been proposed in order that there would be no increase in traffic generation. Measures had also been taken to ensure that the amenities of adjacent residential occupiers would not be unduly compromised. The proposed core hours of operation would not be dissimilar to the existing operating hours.

(4)          The proposed development was considered to be acceptable in principle, improvements had been made to lessen any potential impact on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers and to improve the aesthetic quality and design of the scheme which would be sustainably located within a defined built-up area of the city. It would also result in redevelopment of an existing site to re-provide employment generating use of the site including much needed office  accommodation; therefore approval was recommended.

              Questions of Officers

(5)          Councillor Mac Cafferty referred to the proposed landscaping scheme in particular to the green wall, asking regarding measures to be put into place to ensure that suitably robust planting was provided and maintained.

(6)          Councillor Littman sought clarification in respect of conditions to the land use of the site.

(7)          Councillor Yates sought clarification of the hours during which the premises would be in operation as concerns had been expressed in relation to the potential detrimental impact of increased hours of operation. Councillor Shanks echoed those concerns.

(8)          Councillor Simson stated that subject to the proposed amendments referred to in the Late/Additional Representations List she considered the scheme to be acceptable.

              Debate and Decision Making Process

(9)          A vote was taken and members voted unanimously that minded to grant planning approval be granted.

46.2    RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves that it is MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to a s106 agreement on the Heads of Terms set out in the report and to the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report, SAVE THAT should the s106 Planning Obligation not be completed on or before 29^th January 2020 the Head of Planning was authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in section 10.1 of the report: