Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee

Wednesday 8 January 2003 at 3.00 pms

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

Chair:  Councillor McGhee  presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillor Robertson (Y).

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

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED FOR CONTINUED CONSIDERATION

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(a)

Erection of Double Garage:

Footerhoose, Cliff Terrace Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/320)

There was submitted a report dated 16 December 2002 by the Head of Planning Services regarding an application by Mr J N Lightfoot for the erection of a double garage at Footerhoose, Cliff Terrace Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/320), consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 4 December 2002 for a site visit.

The report recommended that planning permission be refused as the position of the garage does not comply with the Roads Development Guide, as there should be a minimum of 6.0 metre clearance from the roads boundary to ensure that vehicles waiting to be garaged do not obstruct the road, footway or both, thereby prejudicing the safety of road users and pedestrians.

After discussion, Councillor Campbell moved that planning permission be granted as the application site is situated in a quiet cul de sac serving a small number of residential properties and would generate a minimum number of traffic movements.   As an amendment, Councillor McGhee moved that planning permission be refused for the reason detailed in the report.   On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.

(b)

Erection of Dwellinghouse:

Plot 2, Turnberry Avenue, Gourock (IC/02/291)

There was submitted a report dated 18 December 2002 by the Head of Planning Services regarding an application by Mr & Mrs Walton for the erection of a dwellinghouse at plot 2, Turnberry Avenue, Gourock (IC/02/291), consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 4 December 2002 for a site visit.

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;

(2)  that development shall not begin until samples of materials to be used on external surfaces of the buildings and in the construction of hardstandings and fences, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority, development shall thereafter be carried out using the approved materials or such alternatives as may be agreed in writing with the planning authority, to ensure compliance with the Approved Design Brief and visual continuity within the site;

(3)  that no development shall commence until details of a screen to the east side of the rear balcony have been submitted to and approved by the Head of Planning Services: the screen shall be erected prior to the house being occupied and maintained in situ thereafter, to maintain the privacy of the adjoining rear garden at plot 3;

(4)  that the planting proposals detailed on the site plans, hereby approved, with the exception of planting approved under IC/99/342, shall be implemented no later than the first planting season following occupation of the house, to ensure continuity of planting throughout the site; and

(5)  that access shall be via a footway crossover constructed in accordance with the Council’s Roads Development Guide and the driveway shall have a maximum gradient of 10%, to allow safe vehicular access to and from Turnberry Avenue.

(c)

Change of Use of Coffee Shop to Public House:

18 Nicolson Street, Greenock  (IC/02/317)

There was submitted a report dated 19 December 2002 by the Head of Planning Services regarding an application by Austins for the change of use of coffee shop to public house at 18 Nicolson Street, Greenock (IC/02/317), consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 4 December 2002 to allow the Head of Planning Services to clarify the position with regard to (i) the neighbourhood notification procedure and (ii) licensing matters.

The report recommended that planning permission be refused as the proposed development will generate late evening noise and activity outwith the entrance to the premises, to the detriment of residential amenity in the vicinity.

After discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that planning permission be granted.   As an amendment, Councillor McGhee moved that planning permission be refused for the reason detailed in the report.   On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 3 for the amendment.   There being equality in voting, the Convener exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that planning permission be refused as the proposed development will generate late evening noise and activity outwith the entrance to the premises, to the detriment of residential amenity in the vicinity.

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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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:-

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(a)

Increase in Garage Floor Level and Ridge Height

(Variation to Planning Permission 1C/02/181) (in retrospect):

Plot 13, Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay (IC/02/343)

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It was noted that Councillor Campbell, having previously expressed a view on this matter, was ineligible to participate in its consideration or decision.   As Ward Member, and with the consent of the Sub-Committee, he did however speak on the matter.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted.

After discussion, Councillor McGhee moved that planning permission be granted.   As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved that planning permission be refused as the proposal would have an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents by reason of the size and location of the proposed garage.   On a vote, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.                  

(b)

Construction of 34 Flatted Dwellings:

48 Inverkip Street, Greenock (IC/02/287R)

Councillor Blair declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.

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

After discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report.   As an amendment Councillor McGhee moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report together with a further condition (7) that details of the design of an entrance gate, located within the entrance pend and set back at least six metres from the heel of the footpath, and details of lighting within the pend, shall be submitted to the Head of Planning Services and no work shall begin until written approval of the details has been given by the Head of Planning Services, to provide security within the rear parking area and pend and to ensure that the location of gates does not interfere with the free flow of traffic on Inverkip Street.  

On a vote, 1 Member voted for the motion and  4 for the amendment which was declared carried.

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;

(2)  that, for the avoidance of doubt, permission is not given for the use of the materials shown on the approved plans and that, before the development hereby permitted starts, details of all facing materials shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Head of Planning Services, to ensure the external finish to the development complements adjacent residential properties in the interests of visual amenity;

(3)  that before the development hereby permitted starts a scheme of landscaping, including boundary treatment, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Head of Planning Services and it shall include:-

(a)  details of any earth mounding, grass seeding and turfing;

(b)  a scheme of tree and/or shrub planting, incorporating details of the location, number, variety  and size of trees and/or shrubs to be planted; and

(c)  details of the phasing of these works;

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(4)  that within one year of the completion of the construction of the flatted dwellings hereby permitted, all planting, seeding, turfing and earth mounding included in the scheme of landscaping and planting approved under the terms of condition (3) above, shall be completed and any trees, shrubs or areas of grass which die, are removed, damaged or become diseased within five years of the completion of construction, shall be replaced within the following year with others of similar size and species, conditions (3) and (4) being imposed to ensure the provision of adequate landscaping in the interests of the amenity of residents;

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(5)  that before the first of the flatted dwellings hereby permitted is occupied, all fences and walls approved under the terms of condition (3) above shall be erected or built, to ensure the provision of boundary walls and fencing in the interests of the privacy and amenity of residents;

(6)  that before the first of the flatted dwellings hereby permitted is occupied, all the parking and manoeuvring areas and paths shown on the approved plans shall be levelled, properly drained, surfaced in a material which the Head of Planning Services has approved in writing before the start of surfacing work and be clearly marked out and shall thereafter be maintained as parking and manoeuvring areas, to ensure adequate car parking is available for residents and to avoid on-street parking; and

(7)  that details of the design of an entrance gate, located within the entrance pend and set back at least six metres from the heel of the footpath, and details of lighting within the pend, shall be submitted to the Head of Planning Services and no work shall begin until written approval of the details has been given by the Head of Planning Services, to provide security within the rear parking area and pend and to ensure that the location of gates does not interfere with the free flow of traffic on Inverkip Street. 

(c)

Erection of Ramp and Steps:

Waterfront Retail Park, Custom House Way, Greenock (IC/02/255)

The report recommended that planning permission be refused as the the proposed development would create a multitude of crossing points and encourage parking adjacent to these crossing points on Custom House Way, thus increasing the potential for pedestrian/traffic conflicts to the detriment of traffic and pedestrian safety.

Decided:  that consideration of the application be continued to allow the Head of Planning Services to have further discussion with the applicant.

(d)

Temporary Permission to Site Static Caravan:

Lukeston Farm, by Kilmacolm  (IC/02/345)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted for a period of 3 years subject to the following conditions:-

(1)  that the caravan hereby authorised is removed at the expiration of a period of 3 years and that any works required for the reinstatement of the land will be carried out within a period of three months from the expiration of that period, in view of the temporary nature of the proposed accommodation; and

(2)  that details of the septic tank and soakaway be submitted to and approved by the Head of Planning Services prior to the caravan being used for residential purposes, to ensure that the septic tank and soakaway area are constructed in accordance with the current code of practice BS 6297:1983.

(e)

Installation of Antenna on Existing 45m Lattice Tower with

Equipment Cabin and Ancillary Development:

Slates Farm, Kilmacolm (IC/02/347)

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 in the event that equipment becomes obsolete or redundant it must be removed and the site reinstated to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning Services within six months, to minimise the level of visual intrusion and ensure the reinstatement of the site to a satisfactory standard.

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ADVERTISEMENT APPLICATIONS

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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 3 Flagpoles and 2 Signboards (in retrospect):

Kip Marina Entrance, Main Road, Inverkip (CA/02/024)

Decided: that the advertisement application be referred to the Scottish Ministers recommending that permission be granted subject to the condition that the permission granted is for a temporary period only and shall expire on 8 January 2005, as the sign is only required for a temporary period during the construction of Kip Village.

(b)

Erection of Three Freestanding Banners:

Safeway Store, Rue End Street, Greenock (CA/02/030)

Decided:  that advertisement consent be refused:-

(1)  as the three freestanding banners would generate advertisement clutter detrimental to the regime of supermarket signage and to the quality of visual amenity at this prominent location; and

(2)  as the three freestanding banners are of poor design and as such would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of this prominent location.

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PLANNING APPEAL - 5 SHANDWICK PLACE, INVERKIP

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There was submitted a report dated 10 December 2002 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Sub-Committee at the meeting held on 1 May 2002 to refuse planning permission for the erection of timber decking in retrospect at 5 Shandwick Place, Inverkip (IC/02/031), an appeal against the refusal of planning permission had been made to the Scottish Ministers.

Noted

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PROPOSED STOPPING-UP ORDER  -

AUCHENDARROCH STREET, GREENOCK

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There was submitted a report dated 12 December 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services recommending the making of a Stopping-Up Order to stop up the footpaths between Craigieknowes Street and Auchendarroch Street and between Brown Street and Auchendarroch Street.

Decided:  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 in relation to a Stopping-Up Order to stop up the footpaths between Craigieknowes Street and Auchendarroch Street and between Brown Street and Auchendarroch Street and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service and the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for implementation of the Order.