Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning and Regulatory Services

 

The Area Team Leader spoke to the terms of the report advising that the proposal related to development within a larger site identified as Area for Action 12/3 within the adopted Argyll and Bute Local Plan.  This designation is, however, superseded by the uncontested, emergent provisions of the Argyll and Bute proposed Local Development Plan which set out the Council’s intent to subsume the current Area for Action within a larger Mixed Use Potential Development Area (PDA 3008) within which support was afforded to a mixed use re-development of the Argyll and Bute Hospital Estate subject to a masterplan for designation MAST 1/8.  NHS Highland put forward a ‘Stage 1’ masterplan for designation MAST 1/8 which has been endorsed by the PPSL Committee.  This proposal sets out a ‘large scale’ community facility development comprising a new mental health care unit within the grounds of the existing Argyll and Bute Hospital and is intended to replace the existing buildings with a modern facility designed to meet current mental health care requirements for the locality.  The reuse of the site for a mental health care facility is consistent with the ‘Stage 1’ masterplan and the proposed development is of appropriate design, scale and finish having regard to its location and the Council’s Sustainable Design Guidance.  The proposal requires the felling of a significant area of healthy, mature woodland which provides a significant contribution to the amenity and setting of the locale.  The loss of such an area of sustainable, healthy woodland is contrary to the provisions of policy LP ENV 7.  However, in this particular instance the anticipated social and economic benefits associated with the hospital re-development, and the ability of the Applicant to provide compensatory planting in the immediate locate are considered to offer sufficient justification to approve planning permission as a ‘minor departure’ to the provisions of LP ENV 7 and subject to the conditions and reasons detailed in the report.

 

The Area Team Leader advised of a typographical error within Section S of the report and Section C of the Appendix where references made to LP ENV 17 should have read LP ENV 7.

 

Decision

 

Agreed to grant planning permission as a ‘minor departure’ to the provisions of policy LP ENV 7 and subject to the following conditions and reasons:-

 

1.        The development shall be implemented in accordance with the details specified on the application form dated 30^th April 2014, supporting information and the approved drawing reference numbers 1/14 – 14/14 unless the prior written approval of the planning authority is obtained for other materials/finishes/for an amendment to the approved details under Section 64 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

 

Reason: For the purpose of clarity, to ensure that the development is implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

2.        No development shall commence until details of the proposed finished ground floor level of the development relative to an identifiable fixed datum located outwith the application site have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: In order to secure an acceptable relationship between the development and its surroundings.

 

3.        Notwithstanding the effect of Condition 1, no development shall commence until samples of materials to be used in the construction of external walls and roof coverings have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The development shall thereafter be completed using the approved materials or such alternatives as may be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority.

 

Reason: In order to integrate the development into its surroundings.

 

4.        Notwithstanding the effect of Condition 1, no development shall commence until details of colour finish of the window and door units to be installed in the development have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter the development shall be completed in accordance with the approved details or such alternatives as may be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority.

 

Reason: In order to integrate the development into its surroundings.

 

5.        Notwithstanding the provisions of Condition 1, the development shall incorporate a surface water drainage system which is consistent with the principles of Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) compliant with the guidance set out in CIRIA’s SuDS Manual C697. The requisite surface water drainage shall be operational prior to the development being brought into use and shall be maintained as such thereafter.

 

Reason: To ensure the provision of an adequate surface water drainage system and to prevent flooding.

 

6.        No tree felling, demolition works or development shall commence within the application site until a scheme for the retention and safeguarding of trees during construction has been submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority. The scheme shall comprise:

 

i)                    Details of all trees to be removed and the location and canopy spread of trees to be retained as part of the development;

ii)                  A programme of measures for the protection of trees during construction works which shall include fencing at least one metre beyond the canopy spread of each tree in accordance with BS 5837:2005 “Trees in Relation to Construction”.

 

Tree protection measures shall be implemented for the full duration of construction works in accordance with the duly approved scheme. No trees shall be lopped, topped or felled other than in accordance with the details of the approved scheme unless otherwise approved in writing by the Planning Authority.

 

Reason: In order to retain trees as part of the development in the interests of amenity and nature conservation.

 

7.        No tree felling, demolition works or development shall commence within the application site until a Detailed Landscape Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority and approved by the Planning Authority in consultation with Forestry Commission Scotland.

 

The Detailed Landscape Plan shall be compliant with the requirements set out within Appendix 1 of the Forestry Commission Scotland’s consultation response dated 28^th August 2014, and shall inform the design  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9