Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee

Wednesday 2 October 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors  Blair,  Calvert, Campbell,  McCormick, McGhee and Robertson (A) (for Morrison (M)).

Chair:  Councillor McCormick presided.

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Miss M McKnight (for Director of Legal and Support Services), Head of Planning Services and Mr A Bruce (for Head of Transportation and Roads Service).

Apologies:  Councillors Morrrison (M) and Robertson (Y).

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Sub-Committee.

783

PLANNING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED FOR CONTINUED CONSIDERATION

783

(a)

Construction of 6 Dwellinghouses:

Leven Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/138) 

There was submitted a report dated 23 September 2002 by the Head of Planning Services regarding an application by Strathblane Homes Ltd for the construction of 6 dwellinghouses at Leven Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/138), consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 4 September 2002 to address matters raised by the applicants’ architects in correspondence to elected Members.  (Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

(1)  as the proposed development is contrary to policies La and ENl of the Inverclyde Local Plan and Strategic policies 9 and 10 of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan in that it would result in the loss of an area of amenity open space and trees within that area protected by a Tree Preservation Order; and

(2)  as the flora within the application site, due to its species mix and maturity, makes a significant contribution to the natural environment, by contributing to the biodiversity of the area, and the built environment, through providing amenity open space adjacent to an existing residential development.

783

(b)

(i)  Erection of 49 Flats with Associated Car Parking and Landscaping:

The Meadows, Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/063R)

(ii)  Formation of Residential Parking and Amenity Ground:

Land Adjacent to the Meadows, Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/240)

783

There was submitted a report dated 24 September 2002 by the Head of Planning Services regarding applications by Europe and Jersey Estates Ltd for (i) the erection of 49 flats with associated car parking and landscaping at the Meadows, Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/063R) and (ii) the formation of residential parking and amenity ground at land adjacent to the Meadows, Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/240), consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 4 September 2002 for further discussion with the applicant.

The report recommended that both planning applications be referred to the Scottish Ministers recommending that planning permission be granted subject to a number of conditions.

After discussion, Councillor McCormick moved that both planning applications be referred to the Scottish Ministers recommending that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved (a) that planning application IC/02/063R be refused (1) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on road safety due to an unacceptable increase in traffic (i) utilising the A78 trunk road and (ii) entering into and exiting from the development site at an inappropriate location on the trunk road; (2) as the proposed density of the development is inappropriate having regard to the current layout and the location of the site and would result in over development; and (3) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the environment of the site with particular reference to the existing trees on the site and having regard to the topography of the site and the proposed layout of the buildings to be constructed thereon; and (b) that planning application IC/02/240 be refused (1) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on road safety due to an unacceptable increase in traffic (i) utilising the A78 trunk road and (ii) entering into and exiting from the development site at an inappropriate location on the trunk road; and (2) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the environment of the site with particular reference to the existing trees on the site and having regard to the topography of the site.  On a vote, 1 Member voted for the motion and 5 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:

(a)   that the planning application IC/02/063R be refused for the following reasons:-

(1) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on road safety due to an unacceptable increase in traffic (i) utilising the A78 trunk road and (ii) entering into and exiting from the development site at an inappropriate location on the trunk road;

(2) as the proposed density of the development is inappropriate having regard to the current layout and the location of the site and would result in over development; and

(3) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the environment of the site with particular reference to the existing trees on the site and having regard to the topography of the site and the proposed layout of the buildings to be constructed thereon; and

(b)   that planning application IC/02/240 be refused for the following reasons:-

(1) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on road safety due to an unacceptable increase in traffic (i) utilising the A78 trunk road and (ii) entering into and exiting from the development site at an inappropriate location on the trunk road; and

(2) as the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the environment of the site with particular reference to the existing trees on the site and having regard to the topography of the site.

784

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

784

There were submitted reports by the Head of Planning Services on the following applications which were submitted, together with letters of objection and support where submitted, and dealt with as follows:-

(a)

Erection of Garden Shed:

Cottage 9, Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village (IC/02/242)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

(1)   that the development to which this permission relates must be begun within 5 years from the date of this permission, to comply with Section 58 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997; and

(2)   that the structure hereby authorised shall be removed at the expiration of a period of 10 years from the date of consent and that any works required for the reinstatement of the land will be carried out to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning Services within 2 months from the expiration of that period, in view of the temporary nature of the proposed garden shed in an outstanding conservation area.

(b)

Erection of Shed, Rear Fence and Patio Area and Walls in Front Garden:

18 Bridgend Avenue, Port Glasgow (IC/02/275)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.

(c)

Change of Use of Filling Station to Hot Food Take Away:

Former Petrol Filling Station, Kilmacolm Road, Port Glasgow (IC/02/246)

Decided:  that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

(1)   that as required by policy Sc of the Inverclyde Local Plan, the proposal has been assessed in terms of traffic, nuisance and amenity implications and is considered to have an adverse impact on nearby residential amenity by virtue of noise and activity; and

(2)   as the proposal, by virtue of noise and activity, will have a detrimental impact on residential amenity and as such is contrary to policies H1 and H8 of the Inverclyde Local Plan: First Review, Final Draft.

784

(d)

Erection of Garage:

28 East Crawford Street, Greenock (IC/02/216)

784

Decided:  that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:- 

(1)  that the development to which this permission relates must be begun within five years from the date of this permission, to comply with Section 58 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997; and

(2)  that the garage shall be erected in a position to maintain a minimum width on the adjacent lane of 1.97 metres for the length of the garage, to ensure vehicular access to the adjacent garage courtyard.

(e)

Erection of Extension to Dwellinghouse:

14 Caddlehill Street, Greenock (IC/02/263)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.

(f)

Extension to Oak Mall:

Charles Place/Hamilton Way, Greenock (IC/02/185)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.

(g)

Change of Use from Public House to Discotheque:

208 Dalrymple Street, Greenock (IC/02/261)

Councillor Blair declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision and departed from the meeting at this juncture.

Decided:  that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

(1)  that the development to which this permission relates must be begun within five years from the date of this permission, to comply with Section 58 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997; and

(2)  that noise from within the premises shall be inaudible from within the nearest residential property, to prevent noise nuisance in the nearest residential property.

(h)

Erection of 2 Dwellinghouses (in outline):

Lewis Road, Greenock (IC/02/267)

(Councillor Blair returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

(1)   as development on Lewis Road would increase the likelihood of vehicle confrontation, leading to congestion prejudicing road safety; and

(2)  as the development will prejudice road safety and is contrary to policy H8(f) of the Inverclyde Local Plan: First Review, Final Draft.

(i)

Erection of Telecommunications Tower with Associated Equipment Cabinets:

Fort Matilda Industrial Estate, Eldon Street, Greenock (IC/02/266)

The report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to a number of conditions.

Decided:  that consideration of the application be continued to allow the Head of Planning Services to discuss with the applicant possible alternative locations for the telecommunications tower and equipment cabinets.

(j)

Erection of Timber Decking (in retrospect):

47 Taymouth Drive, Gourock (IC/02/250)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted subject to the condition that within 28 days of the date hereof proposals for 1.8m high side screens, in the position marked blue on the approved plan, shall be submitted for the approval of the Head of Planning Services and that, following approval of the design of the necessary side screens, they shall be erected within 28 days from the date thereof and thereafter maintained in perpetuity, in the interests of rear garden privacy.

(k)

Erection of Awning:

19 Harbourside, Inverkip (IC/02/249)

Decided:  that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

(1)   as the proposed awning would form an obtrusive feature detracting from the design of the terraced block in which the applicant’s dwellinghouse is located; and

(2)   as the proposed development, in a prominent location, would have a detrimental impact on the visual quality of the residential development in which the dwellinghouse is located.

(l)

Alteration to Roof to Form Extension and Velux Rooflights:

Bathfield, Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/206)

Decided:  that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

(1)   as the proposed dormer, by virtue of its position on the side gable, would have a detrimental effect on the architectural design of the existing building; and

(2)   as the proposal is contrary to Planning Practice Advice Note 9 of the Inverclyde Local Plan: First Review, Final Draft which advises that “dormers on the hipped gable of a roof should be avoided”.

785

ADVERTISEMENT APPLICATION

785

There was submitted a report dated 23 September 2002 by the Head of Planning Services on an application for the display of 4 illuminated advertising hoardings at Baker Street, Greenock (CA/02/019).

Decided:  that advertisement consent be refused for the following reasons:-

(1)   as the proposals would, due to the close proximity of other advertisement hoardings, result in advertisement clutter to the detriment of the quality of the established visual amenµity;

(2)   as the proposals would have a detrimental impact on the established visual amenity of the site; and

(3)   as the proposal is contrary to Planning Practice Advice Note No. 13 of the Inverclyde Local Plan: First Review, Final Draft in that the proposal fails to make a positive contribution to the visual amenity of the area and will lead to a proliferation of advertisement hoardings in the immediate vicinity.

786

PLANNING APPEAL - 53 UNION STREET, GREENOCK

786

There was submitted a report dated 11 September 2002 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Sub-Committee at the meeting held on 7 August 2002  to refuse the change of use of the ground floor flat and basement into two flats at 53 Union Street, Greenock (IC/02/149), an appeal against the refusal of planning permission had been made to the Scottish Ministers.

Noted

787

PLANNING APPEAL - 29 CASTLE WEMYSS DRIVE, WEMYSS BAY

787

There was submitted a report dated 11 September 2002 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Sub-Committee at the meeting held on 6 March 2002 to refuse the erection of a conservatory and first floor balcony at 29 Castle Wemyss Drive, Wemyss Bay (IC/01/320), an appeal against the refusal of planning permission had been made to the Scottish Ministers but had been returned to the appellants on the grounds that it was time barred.

Noted