Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Mrs. J. D. Luck and E. J. Murray.

Councillor S. R. Peters declared a personal interest in application ref. 09/0365 as he is a member of the Co-operative Group.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported two errors on page 42 of the report, namely -

§         reference to "23 trees" should be substituted by "24 trees;" and

§         reference to "17 young Lime trees" should be substituted by "17 young Whitebeam trees."

She also reported the receipt of a letter from the applicant's agent which clarified a number of issues including:-

§         the position of the car park barriers and kiosks;

§         the proposed changes to on-street parking arrangements on the Birmingham Road;

§         the replacement of 28 trees with 38 trees arising from highway improvements, and associated air quality issues; and

§         concluding comments in respect of retail matters.

The Chairman explained to the Committee that, due to the scale of the application, together with the level of public interest which had been generated by the proposed development, he would exercise his discretion for the meeting and permit an extended period of ten minutes for public speaking.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. J. Coulson addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposals.  Mr. T. M. Horton, of Thomas Horton LLP Solicitors, Ms. J. Powell, on behalf of Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd., and Mr. G. Forster, representing Turley Associates, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the application.

Members examined the issues relating to the proposed development, as detailed in the report, and gave detailed consideration to the application, with specific reference to:

(a)       retail considerations and the need for a retail development to the scale of that as proposed;

(b)       the design and layout of the proposed development, together with accessibility, car parking and highways matters;

(c)        the financial contributions which would be required by way of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, relating to (i) walking and cycling schemes in Bromsgrove; (ii) sustainable transport objectives; (iii) public realm improvements; and (iv) air quality monitoring along Birmingham Road; and

(d)       noise, light and air pollution and the possible effect on the amenities of nearby residential dwellings.

Members considered that the proposed development represented an opportunity to provide an alternative retail outlet in Bromsgrove, make improvements to local highways issues and continue the enhancement and regeneration of Bromsgrove Town Centre.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services to approve the application upon the satisfactory completion of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, in respect of financial contributions relating to:-

(i)         walking and cycling schemes in Bromsgrove (£50,000);

(ii)        sustainable transport objectives (£100,000);

(iii)       public realm improvements (£347,850); and

(iv)       air quality monitoring along Birmingham Road (£10,000);

(b)       that, before the formal issue of the planning permission Notice of Decision, officers engage in negotiations with the applicant in respect of the following matters:-

(i)         Store deliveries;

(ii)        Taxi accessibility; and

(iii)       Highways improvements phasing timetable;

(c)        that, upon the satisfactory completion of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.