Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robin Currie, Mary Jean Devon, Graham Archibald Hardie and Roderick McCuish.

There were no declarations of interest.  Mr Black, one of the Objectors, raised a concern about his view on a requirement for the Chair to declare an interest and was advised by Mr Reppke that the declaration of an interest is for an individual Member to determine.  He was advised that his concern would be noted in the Minute.

Report by Head of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services

The Chair welcomed everyone present to the meeting and introductions were made.  He outlined the procedure that would be followed and the Head of Governance and Law identified those present who wished to speak.

 

PLANNING

 

David Moore

David Moore, Senior Planning Officer presented the application on behalf of the Head of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services. He provided an update on new representations which had been received on Friday 16 November including 3 new objections bringing the total number to 153, and two new intimations of support bringing the total to 99.  He advised that copies of the letters could be provided if requested.

 

Mr Moore then made the following presentation –

Good Morning everyone.

My Name is David Moore and I am the case officer for this application.

I have a short presentation which outlines the main elements of the proposals.

 

David Cameron the Councils Flooding Advisor and Campbell Divertie the Area Roads Engineer will also make presentations in respect of flood defence and traffic and parking matters.

 

Location Plan –

 

The development applied for is for the Erection of new leisure building including swimming pool, improved flood defences, new car park including public realm works and demolition of existing swimming pool

 

The applicant is the Executive Director Development and Infrastructure.

 

LDP Extract –Part Helensburgh Town Centre. Therefore in respect of LDP DM1 this is an appropriate and sustainable location for scale of development proposed.

 

Officers have reviewed the proposals against the policies of the development plan as set out in detail within the committee report, and consider that the proposals accord with the requirements of the LDP and that the proposal, being a community use within the major settlement of Helensburgh with good transportation links, also represents sustainable development.

 

Section 25 of the Planning Act requires that planning applications should be determined in accordance with the policies of the adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) which has primacy in decision-making. If an application is in accordance with the LDP plan policies and is considered to represent sustainable development then the planning policy framework is not neutral, it favours approval of the development.

 

Other site designations in LDP

 

Designated MAST 1 / 4 - MAST 1/4 Helensburgh Pierhead Mixed Use; Tourism/Retail/Leisure/Public Realm

                       

AFA -  3/1 – AFA 3/1 Helensburgh Town Centre and Waterfront

Strategic; regenerate and enhancement

 

CFR2001 -  Helensburgh Pierhead Swimming pool, community leisure facility,

open space, town centre parking with up to 2,700m2 Class 1 retail uses

 

The proposals accord with land use designations and objectives for the site within the adopted LDP.

                     

Slightly old from 2009 Masterplan but gives a good overall clarification of location and types of uses recently and currently on the application site.

 

He pointed out -

Existing Pool

Cadona’s amusement uses now off site.

Extensive Car Parking Area

Skatepark

 

Members will note that lack of compliance with the approved 2012 Masterplan has been raised as a reason to object to the current proposals by a number of parties. The 2012 addendum to the original Turley Associates Masterplan of 2009 produced by Gareth Hoskins confirms that the general approach to overall site development is envisaged as follows:

 

“a landmark building on the southern edge of the site taking advantage of the waterfront location. Placing the building on this location allowed the remainder of the site adjacent the town centre to be considered for other development”.

 

In terms of general location and orientation of the new leisure building to the site, sea and town centre it is considered to accord with the 2012 Masterplan addendum and the reasons for this approach.  The general layout and primary urban design aspirations of the 2012 Masterplan document are considered to remain legitimate and in Officer’s opinion are respected by the current proposals.

 

Importantly, in respect of delivering the wider Masterplan objectives, the current planning application does not constrain or undermine future development of the remainder of the site to provide future development which will require to be subject to future planning applications and consideration in respect of both compliance with the Masterplan and the policies of the LDP.

 

Talk through main components of the scheme:

 

1)    New Leisure Building

2)    New public realm works and landscaping

3)    Demolition of existing pool and removal of skatepark (I understand there is now a commitment to reinstate the old equipment until such time as a new and improved facility can be brought forward which the applicants will clarify).

4)    Making land available for future retain and or other  development fronting onto West Clyde Street

 

The concept proposed seeks to provide a landmark building along the waterfront esplanade, with a significant main entrance with good accessibility in terms of movement and visual connections to surrounding development and the rest of the town centre. The integration of the new facility with the existing pier was considered by the applicant to be one of the most important guiding principles for design decisions, and led to the creation of an external public realm that integrates access routes with gathering points, flexible spaces and general areas to take in the attractive views the site affords. The location of the site entrance on the north- western corner of the building seeks to provide a visual link to the main entrance and to allow direct access from primary pedestrian routes to West Clyde Street and the shops and facilities of the town centre beyond.

 

The external public realm proposals include variations in levels, form and materials to create an attractive linkage to the town centre, framing the building and its entrance in what is considered to be an attractive and appropriate manner. A range of external spaces are created which offer significant improvements in the urban realm over the current situation, and will complement the existing CHORD works within the town centre. All of these external urban realm elements have been designed to ensure that those of limited mobility are able to   access and enjoy this new development.

 

Architectural detailing and use of materials assist in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.