Agenda item
75,000 square feet extension to existing warehouse
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor John Wyn Willimas
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: