Agenda item

It was being reported to the Planning Committee for consideration due to its classification as a major planning application.

Further information was included in the Committee Update, which detailed that further representations had been received from Firstplan Limited on behalf of Waitrose and Partners and Councillor J. Elledge

Further detail in relation to the securing of funding towards town centre mitigation measures were provided in the Committee Update. A scheme had been proposed by the Bromsgrove Centres Manager for a festoon lighting scheme costed at £25,000 along the high street, the scheme would replace the current surface- level lighting which was nearing the end of its lifespan.

It was noted that the applicant had confirmed their agreement to the proposed town centre mitigation measures, and the scheme had received no objections from Officers.

It was acknowledged that a briefing note from the applicant had been circulated to Committee Members, it was noted that this had been placed in the public domain and was available for inspection by either the public or the press via Public Access.

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 report and in doing so highlighted that the application was for change of use from bulky goods retail to a mix of convenience goods retailing in relation to a commercial unit.

Officers presented the presentation slides, as detailed on pages 81 to 88 of the main agenda pack which detailed the proposed floorplan and site overview which was located at Brook Retail Park, Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove.

220 representations had been received, of which the overwhelming majority were in support of the application and an extensive public consultation exercise had been conducted.

The Retail and Planning Statement outlined that the proposal would generate up to 100 new full and part- time jobs for people living in the Bromsgrove locality.

It was noted that the applicant had engaged constructively with the Council throughout the Planning process and that the proposed Argos comparison goods concession had been removed from the application.

It was outlined by Officers that Worcestershire County Council Travel Planning Team had raised no objection to the Travel Plan submitted with the application, subject to Condition 9 at Page 79 of the main agenda pack.

Further information, including relevant planning history, the Bromsgrove District Plan (including policy BDP17 – Town Centre Regeneration) and the National Planning Practice Guidance was relayed to Committee Members.

It was noted that the planning application was recommended to be granted. In addition, it was recommended that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Culture Services to determine the application following the receipt and completion of a suitable and satisfactory legal mechanism in relation to the following matter, namely, the securing of secure funding towards town centre mitigation measures.

It was also recommended that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Leisure and Culture Services to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of conditions as laid out in the report.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Christian Wakelin, representing Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited and Sarah Hawkins, representing Alder King (the Applicant’s Planning Agent), addressed the Committee in support of the application. Councillor S. Ammar also addressed the Committee in support of the application, before leaving the room. Councillor J. Elledge also addressed the Committee in her capacity as Ward Councillor, in opposition to the application. Having addressed the Committee, Councillor J. Elledge then left the room.

Members then debated the application. From the comments and questions by members of the Committee, the following responses were made, and issues highlighted:

• The Transport Statement, which was reviewed by Worcestershire County Council as the highways authority, had demonstrated that the change of occupier type would not have a severe impact to the local road network.
• A parking survey undertaken at the site in combination with surveyed occupancy data at existing Sainsbury’s sites had concluded that there was sufficient parking to meeting customer demand.
• Works which were being undertaken as part of the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme would support the flow of traffic and would improve cycling and walking infrastructure within the locality.

The Committee discussed the town mitigation aspects of the proposal for the festoon lighting scheme costed at £25,000 along the high street. It was outlined that this project would enhance the visual quality of the town centre and support footfall, occupation time and the evening economy. Members sought further clarity on how the legal mechanism in relation to this would work in practice and technical advice was provided to the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned between 19.56 hours to 20.01 hours to enable Committee Members to consider the information before them.

On being put to the vote it was 

RESOLVED that having had regard to all the information before them and all other material considerations

(a) that planning permission be granted;

(i)              subject to the Conditions as laid out on page 78 of the main reports pack;

(b) that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for

Planning, Leisure and Culture Services, following consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman, to determine the application following the receipt and completion of a suitable and satisfactory legal mechanism in relation to the following matter:

(i)              the securing of secure funding towards Town Centre mitigation measures;

(c) that delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director for

Planning, Leisure and Culture Services to agree the final scope and detailed wording and numbering of conditions as set out on page 78 of the main agenda pack.