Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 14^th December 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel of 5^th December 2023 be received.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel meeting held on 5^th December 2023 be received.

Such inspections of current application sites as may have been recommended by Officers and as may be approved by the Committee.

Members of the Committee should inform the Service Manager – Development Management of any requests for site visits by 5.00 p.m. on Monday 15^th January 2024 and reasons for the request.

Site visits will be conducted in accordance with the procedure attached which forms part of the Council’s Good Practice Protocol for Members and Officers dealing with Planning Matters.

The Committee visited the following site, which was the subject of applications to be determined, prior to the commencement of the meeting:

Applications 23/00452/FUL and 23/00453/LB – 34 Sidbury

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 10.

None.

Members of the public will be allowed to address the Committee in respect of applications to be considered by the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 11. Members of the public will address the Committee during the Committee’s consideration of the respective item.

Those representations made are recorded at the minute to which they relate.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grants planning permission and Listed Building Consent, subject to the recommended conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for a proposed two storey extension to form ground floor bar/coffee shop and ancillary back of house accommodation, with guest accommodation at first floor level at 34 Sidbury.  The proposal also included works to King Street Car Park, alterations to the existing pedestrian access and to the boundary wall and railings to Sidbury, and the relocation of the existing payment machines and associated signage, street furniture and lighting.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee in accordance with the adopted Scheme of Delegation as part of the site contained within the redline plan is land owned by Worcester City Council.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the proposal itself, relevant policies, planning history and representations and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to further comments from Worcester Civic Society.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation for the item.

Members were informed that the applications were for full planning permission (23/00452/FUL) and listed building consent (23/00453/LB).

Public Representations

The following person had registered to speak on the application:

Frazer Bufton, Lett and Sweetland Architects – Agent for the applicant. A local Ward Member, Councillor Riaz also addressed the Committee.

Key Points of Debate

·        The agent for the applicant informed the Committee Members that they appreciated that this was a gateway site to the city and were keen to ensure that whatever was proposed needed to enhance and not detract from the existing listed building.  They had worked closely with the Planning Officer in relation to the Listed Building aspect and the Historic City Conservation Area.

·        He confirmed that the applicant was keen to extend the building and build on their business.  A lot of changes have been made over a period of time and they were now struggling to meet the needs of the business.  There are currently no disabled facilities, and this proposal gives that opportunity to provide this.  He stated that the proposal would give the applicant an opportunity to build on their business, they respected the building lines and aware of the Cathedral in the vicinity.

·        The agent responded to questions and points of clarification from Committee Members in particular around the building design and explained the details and materiality proposed.  The removal of the bespoke railings and their possible reuse and the removal of the curved brickwork above the door.  The flat roof at the front was also questioned and why it was not sloped. 

·        Committee Members also asked about illumination of the building and signage.  The agent confirmed that there will applications submitted for signage as a whole in due course and will raise any concerns with the applicant.  In response to questions/queries on materials from Committee Members the Service Manager referred them to condition 4 which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grants planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended) subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for enhancements to the existing multi-use games area, including replacement fencing and replacement polymeric surface, and new youth shelter at Horizon Community Centre, Midland Road.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee as the applicant is Worcester City Council.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the proposal itself, relevant policies, planning history and representations and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to the amendment of conditions 2 and 3.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation for the item.

Public Representations

There had been no one registered to speak on the application.  However local Ward Member, Councillor Riaz addressed the Committee.

Key Points of Debate

·        The local Ward Member spoke in support of the application and its improvements, particularly from a play, sport, health and wellbeing perspective and very much welcomed the improvements to a neglected part of the city.

·        Clarification was requested on the use of polymeric surfacing. The Deputy Service Manager stated that the surface whilst concrete/tarmac does have porous qualities and that it is proposed to drill holes at 1 metre centres through the tarmac surface to increase porosity prior to laying the polymeric surface which would result in an improvement.

·        Members also welcomed the application as the facilities at the site have been tired for some time.  It was also commented that it was hoped that young girls and women would have equal access to the facilities.  The Chair agreed, inclusion for everyone.

A proposal to approve the application has been made and this was seconded.  There being no further points made the Chair requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who were eligible to vote.  Following the recoding of the votes the proposal was agreed, subject to the amendments of conditions 2 and 3.

For - 10

Against - 0

Abstentions - 0

RESOLVED:  That the Committee:

1.       grant planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended), subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report and the amendment of conditions 2 and 3 as set out in the late paper; and

2.       delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, subject to consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, to confirm the final wording of the above and issue the Decision Notice.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

Annual Review of Planning Decisions

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that this had now been arranged for Thursday 29^th February 2024, departing from Copenhagen Street at 10.00am.  The list of sites to be visited had been circulated to all Members via their weekly information items.  The visit was open to all Members to attend and not just those who sit on Planning Committee.