Decision details

The Head of Planning and Environment Services clarified the address of the site and post code.  He also reported the receipt of an additional letter of objection, the applicant's response to the objection and the additional comments of Worcestershire Highways, together with his own comments on this correspondence.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. A. Bharaj addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the application, whilst Mr. N. Dennison spoke in favour of the proposals.  Councillor Mrs. C. M. McDonald also addressed the Committee in respect of the application.

Consideration was then given to the application, together with the issues relating to the proposals, as detailed in the report, with specific reference to:

(a)       the change of use of the land from employment use to retail use;

(b)       possible alternative sites and related retail policy considerations;

(c)        highways and access issues, including the effects on air quality; and

(d)       monetary contributions in respect of pedestrian access and town centre improvements.

RESOLVED: that, subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal mechanism under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to monetary contributions to be made towards:

(a)       a controlled pedestrian crossing on the A.38 to provide better access to Stoke Heath; and

(b)       town centre improvement measures to safeguard the vitality and viability of the town centre and / or improve links between the town centre and Stoke Heath / Charford area,

permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 25 to 34 of the report.