Decision details

Proposal Description: Item 6: Proposed demolition of single storey extension on north elevation and demolition of rear garden wall to Antrim House.  Internal and external refurbishment works to Antrim House to create staff accommodation.  Removal of all-weather playing pitch and associated structures.  Proposed all-weather playing pitch with artificial grass surface, fencing and associated development.  Construction of two boarding houses. Removal of two sections of wall to St Cross Road to facilitate access to the new boarding houses.  Proposed new hard and soft landscaping.  Creation of rain gardens/swales to facilitate surface water drainage.  All associated works, including parking, bicycle parking, enclosure for air source heat pumps, external lighting, boundary walls, relevant connections to existing utilities systems, facilities for refuse collection and works to retained trees.

It was noted that members of the committee, with the exception of Councillors Edwards and Read, had visited the application site on 14 August 2023 to enable members to observe the site in context and to gain a better appreciation of the proposals.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full additional conditions required to ensure that the applicant adhered to the submitted Operational Management Plan and provided confirmation that the proposed access is designed to the satisfaction of the highways authority. In addition, the Revised Transport Assessment SMA Ref 6833/TA 02 dated March 2023 be added to the list of approved documents in condition 2.

During public participation, Patrick Morton and Caroline Powell spoke in objection to the application and Dr Tim Hands and Emma Barrett spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

In response to questions regarding the motion and council’s commitment to protect the district’s waterways from sewage discharge, the council’s Senior Planning and Litigation Lawyer clarified that the council recognised the policies in line with planning policy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which provided the context to be observed in law and that the council had responded appropriately to the requirements of the motion.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet.