Agenda item

Officers stated that, as highlighted by the Vice-Chairman, the Committee would receive a joint presentation for Planning Applications 22/00571/FUL and 24/00887/S83, Aldi Stores Limited, Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 3AR. Members would then determine each application individually.

Officers drew Members’ attention to page 3 of the Committee Update which highlighted amendments to condition 5; and an additional highway condition to be added, in respect of a Staff Travel Plan.

A copy of the Committee Update was provided to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Officers presented the joint presentation slides and in doing so informed the Committee that Planning Application 22/00571/FUL was for a proposed extension comprising of additional retail floor space and reconfigured  warehouse and welfare block layout. Planning Application 24/00887/S73 was for the removal of condition 8 attached to Planning Application ref. 09/0729.

The site was located within an area designated for employment purposes as indicated in the Bromsgrove District Plan. Policies BDP13 and BDP14 of the District Plan would apply due to the designation of the site.

The application site related to an existing supermarket on the former BGW Business Park at the western end of the Aston Fields Industrial Estate. The site was located to the east of the roundabout junction of the A38.

Permission was being sought to build an extension fronting the A38. The extension measured approximately 353 sqm and would comprise of relocated staff and meeting room facilities, manager’s office, plant room, and a larger warehousing area. Relocating these facilities into the proposed extension would enable an increase in retail floorspace from 990 sqm to 1315 sqm.

The extension would be single storey and comprise of a flat roof and be finished in render with brickwork on the west elevation to add interest. External plant would be provided on the roof due to the refrigeration units proposed in the extension, however, anthracite grey cladding was proposed to be erected at roof level to assist screening the plant equipment. Three trees would need to be removed to enable the development, however, six trees were proposed in replacement.

At the invitation of the Vice-Chairman, Mr. R. Williams, Property Director, Aldi addressed the Committee.

Members then considered the application which officers had recommended to be granted.

Members briefly questioned if a timetable of works had been given due to potential ‘clogging up’ of the highway.

Officers referred to the revision to condition 5, as detailed on page 3 of the Committee Update, which detailed the Construction Environment Management Plans (CEMP).

In response to Members concerns about potential noise from the relocation of the external plant equipment and refrigerated lorries, officers stated that Worcestershire Regulatory Services Noise had not raised any objections to the application.

The Development Management Manager further stated that the business had been operating since 2009 without any issues.

In response to a query on the impact on the vitality and viability of Bromsgrove Town Centre, officers referred to page 10 of the main agenda pack in that:

‘In addition, supporting documentation submitted for 09/0729 application demonstrated that the provision of a retail store in this location would not have a significant impact on any retail centre and there would be no significant impact on the vitality and viability of Bromsgrove Town Centre’.

On being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED that full planning permission be granted, subject to

a)    delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Cultural Services to determine the full planning application, subject to:

b)    following the expiry of the consultation period on 8^th April 2025 and in the event that representations were received, that delegated powers be given to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Cultural Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Committee, to assess whether new material considerations had been raised, and to issue a decision after the expiry of the statutory publicity period accordingly,

c)     to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of conditions as set out on pages 12 to 15 of the main agenda pack,

and

d)    to include the revision to condition 5, as detailed in the Committee Update, 

e)    to include the additional condition recommended by Worcestershire County Council, Highways, condition 10, as detailed in the Committee Update.