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Agenda item

75,000 square feet extension to existing warehouse

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor John Wyn Willimas

 

Link to Relevant Documents

Minutes:

An extension of 75,000 square feet to the existing warehouse.

 

(a)       The Senior Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application and noted that it was a full application to extend The Book People's book warehouse at Parc Menai in order to create an additional storeroom that was supplementary to the existing warehouse.

 

It was noted that the site of the extension was located at the western gable-end of the existing building and included a plot of flat land with a slate surface that was created when the original building was erected in 2002. 

 

It was noted that the principle of expanding existing enterprises was based on Policy D8 of the GUDP, which stated that such proposals would be approved subject to compliance with a number of guidelines relating to ensuring the existing use did not cause significant harm to the surrounding area, that the proposal was located within the existing development, that the proposal was ancillary to the work that existed there already, and that the scale of the proposal would not significantly impact environmental amenities and the local roads network. It was noted that the details of the proposal had been included in the original application in 2002 to erect the existing building which confirmed the applicant's intention to expand the enterprise.

 

It was confirmed that the extension would reflect the existing building and would be screened significantly by an established coppice. As the extension would be of the same appearance and height there would not be a substantial or significant difference in the impact of the extension on visual amenities.  It was also noted that the site was located within the GUDP's Landscape Conservation Area and that it was within a Registered Historic Landscape. It was noted that, as the site had already been designated for high quality industrial uses, it would not have a significant impact on the setting and character of this part of the historic landscape.  It was noted that the site was to the south of the Vaynol Estate conservation area as well as a grade II listed estate wall which was located to the east of the site - despite these this it was believed that there would be no significant negative impact on the setting or integrity of the conservation area nor the listed wall considering the location and design of the extension along with the screening and landscaping that reduced its impact on the local environment.

 

It was highlighted that Natural Resources Wales had not agreed to the application originally as insufficient information had been submitted in order for them to respond to it in full. The applicant was asked to submit additional information regarding introducing a lighting scheme, a biodiversity risk assessment and further details regarding protected species. Although no written response had been received after further consultation with Natural Resources Wales, it was proposed that it would be possible to impose appropriate conditions to control the situation should NRW's observations require this.

 

In compliance with relevant requirements, a Linguistic and Community Statement was submitted with the application and reference was made to the response in the additional observations circulated.

 

Given the assessment and subject to receiving favourable observations from Natural Resources Wales, it was believed that the application was acceptable based on scale, location, design, form, materials, road safety, parking, visible and residential amenities and complied with local and national planning policies and guidance.

 

(b)       The local member (a member of this Planning Committee) made the following main points:-

·       That he was supportive of the application.

·       That the site had already been allocated for an extension to the existing business

·       This was the largest employer within Parc Britannia, Parc Menai

 

(c)         It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

(ch)      During the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted:

·         Welcomed the development and pleased that the company wanted to continue to invest in Bangor

·         That The Book People was a very important employer to the Bangor area

·         The books were affordable and therefore encouraged people to read

 

In response to a question regarding further landscaping, it was noted that the site had already been landscaped significantly and was fairly concealed; however, it was noted that a recommendation had been proposed in the report to ensure a management scheme for landscaping.

 

RESOLVED to approve the application

 

  To delegate powers to the Senior Planning and Environment Manager to approve the application, subject to receiving favourable observations from NRW.

 

Conditions:

 

            1. Five years

            2. In accordance with the plans.

3. Biodiversity conditions in relation to undertaking mitigation measures as included in the Phase One Extended Habitat Survey submitted with the planning application.

            4. External materials.

            5. NRW's conditions regarding safeguarding protected species.

6. Submitting a Lighting Scheme to be agreed upon with the Local Planning Authority.

7. Submitting a landscape management plan to be agreed upon with the Local Planning Authority.

8. Restrict the mezzanine floor to the location shown in plan number BAS-DR-A 023 Rev. P3. P3.

 

 

Supporting documents: