Agenda item

Redevelopment of Goodsons Industrial Mews retaining existing commercial units 1A, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 in employment use. Alteration of unit 1-4 to provide 4 apartments at first floor. Demolition of units 5, 6, 7, 8 and erection of 8 houses, 2 maisonettes and 15 flats (29 residential units in total).

The committee considered application P15/S3848/FUL to redevelop Goodsons Industrial Mews on Wellington Street, Thame.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Mike Dyer, a representative of Thame town council, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         New evidence would indicate that the units have not been marketed effectively, whereby agents would warn off potential tenants; and

·         There is an unmet need for employment space in Thame.

Alun Rowe, a local businessman, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         His company have been searching for suitable accommodation in Thame for ten months;

·         He is aware of other businesses looking for premises; and

·         The message from the estate agent when enquiring about this site was that it was due for redevelopment, it would be unpleasant to occupy any units and that only short term lets were available.

David Parker, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application. His speech included the following:

·         During his two year involvement, they have followed best practice and involved the public and town council;

·         The town council welcome the underground parking element;

·         The design is site specific, having undertaken a local character assessment;

·         Units 6,7 and 8 have been empty for three years;

·         Can apply condition to retain employment use in better condition units; and

·         There would be an external makeover of an ugly site, decontamination, drainage CiL and S106 contributions and gardens incorporated.

Nigel Champken-Woods, one of the local ward members, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         Share concerns of loss of employment space to serve a growing population.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate; the discussion included the following points:

·         A commercial viability report has been submitted and three estate agents have been responsible for marketing the site; and

·         Disappointed about the loss of an employment space, but realise that the applicant could convert some of the office space to residential within permitted development rights, without any of the additional benefits that go with this particular scheme.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to delegate authority to grant planning permission for application P15/S3848/FUL to the head of planning subject to:

i)             The prior completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the affordable housing, financial contributions and other obligations stated above; and

ii)            The following conditions:

1.    Commencement three years – full planning permission.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    Removal of permitted development rights to convert retained commercial buildings.

4.    Materials to be agreed.

5.    Levels to be agreed.

6.    Landscaping scheme and management to be agreed.

7.    Rear bathroom in house 15 to be obscure glazed.

8.    Removal of permitted development rights for further windows in rear of 15.

9.    Details of boundary treatments to be agreed.

10.Details of bin storage to be agreed.

11.Access in accordance with highway authority’s specification.

12.Vision splay to be provided / retained.

13.Car parking spaces to be provided and retained.

14.Cycle parking facilities to be provided.

15.Construction traffic management plan.

16.Surface water drainage to be agreed.

17.Foul drainage works to be agreed.

18.Preparation of an archaeological written scheme of investigation.

19.Staged programme of archaeological evaluation and mitigation.

20.Air quality mitigation to be agreed.

21.Contaminated land investigation / remediation to be agreed.

22.Construction hours restriction.

23.Measures to reduce noise and dust to be agreed.

24.Details of external lighting to be agreed.