Planning & Traffic Management Committee

Wednesday 2 March 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors  Forbes, Fyfe, Hunter, McCormick (P), Roach, Snoddy (for Mitchell) and Stewart.

Chair:  Councillor  Forbes presided.

In attendance:   Depute Chief Executive, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Planning Services and Mr A Bruce (for Head of Transportation & Roads Service).    

Apologies:  Councillor Mitchell.  

With the exception of the decision marked ‘C’, which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

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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:-

(a)

Erection of 5 Houses (in outline):

Rear of Cardell, Wemyss Bay (IC/01/2R)

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

Decided:  that consideration of the application be continued for a site visit to be arranged by the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Convener.

(b)

Erection of 10m High Street-Works Monopole with 3 3G Antennae

Together with Equipment Cabinet and Meter Cabinet:

Hilltop Road, Gourock (IC/04/438)

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;

(2)   that in the event that the equipment becomes obsolete or redundant it must be removed and the site reinstated to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning Services within one month, to minimise the level of visual intrusion and ensure the reinstatement of the site to a satisfactory level;

(3)   that development shall not be commenced until such time as it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Head of Planning Services that the power line required to serve the proposed monopole shall be constructed underground with  no electricity poles or other structures relating to the proposed power line linking the site being visible above ground at Hilltop Road;

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(4)   that the detailed specification of all the elements including associated equipment, housing cabinets and cabling shall be approved by the Head of Planning Services prior to their construction and shall not be altered thereafter unless agreed in writing;

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(5)   that no symbols, sign, logos or other lettering shall be displayed on any part of the structure or equipment housing cabinets without the prior written approval of the Head of Planning Services, except small Ìsignage necessary for operational reasons;

(6)   that the site shall not be illuminated by lighting without the prior written approval of the Head of Planning Services, conditions (3) - (6) being imposed to minimise the level of visual intrusion and protect the quality and character of the street scene at Hilltop Road as far as practicable; and

(7)   that the monopole transmitter unit shall be fitted with an automatic energy supply cut-off in the event of impact by a road vehicle, in the interests of public safety on the public road.

(c)

Formation of Dormer Extension:

2 Murray Place, Gourock (IC/04/362)

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

(1)   as the dormer extension is contrary to Policy DCc(iii) of the Inverclyde Local Plan in that the dormer extensions are not of a scale and character appropriate to the building;

(2)   as the dormer extensions are contrary to Policy H8(a) and (b) and to Policy H15 (b) and (c) of the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft 2002 in that the proposals will have an unacceptable impact on the streetscape and are  not compatible with the existing house in terms of design;

(3)   as the dormer extensions do not accord with the design guidance offered in PPAN No. 9 in that the proposal does not reflect the architectural style of the building; and

(4)   as the proposal is contrary to the Scottish Executive Publication “Designing Places - A Policy Statement for Scotland” in that the proposal does not present an appropriate design solution and fails to accord with the Council’s design guidance.

(d)

Proposed Change of Use of Open Space to Use as Storage Yard, Formation of Access, Erection of Storage Unit and Boundary Fencing (in retrospect):

Earnhill Road, Greenock (IC/04/217R)

The report recommended  that planning permission be refused as the proposal conflicts with criteria (b) and (c) of Policy B6 of the Inverclyde Local Plan First Review Final Draft 2002 in introducing an unsightly landuse into Larkfield Industrial Estate without adequate landscape screening to the detriment of visual amenity and the adjoining  land users.

Decided:  that, at the request of the applicant, consideration of the application be continued.

(e)

Change of Use of Offices to Form 4 Flats Together with Formation of

Front and Rear Dormer Windows:

34 Union Street, Greenock (IC/04/340 & LB/04/021)

The report recommended (a) that permission for planning application IC/04/340 be refused as parking provision cannot be provided in accordance with the Council’s Roads Development Guidelines 1995, accordingly  the proposal is contrary to Policy H13 of the Inverclyde Local Plan, First Review Final Draft and (b) that permission for listed building application LB/04/021 be granted.

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After discussion, Councillor Hunter moved that planning permission and listed building consent be granted.   As an amendment, Councillor Roach moved that consideration of the applications be continued for a site visit to be arranged by the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Convener.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.   Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

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C

Decided:  that planning permission and listed building consent be granted. 

C

(f)

Change of Use and Alterations to Shop to Form Hot Food Takeway:

2B Jamaica Street, Greenock (IC/04/433)

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

(1)   as the proposal, having been considered with reference to Policy Sc of the Inverclyde Local Plan is unacceptable by reason of the potential to generate noise, nuisance and cooking odours to the detriment of adjacent residential property; and

(2)   as the proposed development is regarded as unacceptable with respect to policies R3 and R10 of the Inverclyde Local Plan, First Review, Final Draft by reason of the generation of additional noise and disturbance and the generation of cooking odours to the detriment of adjacent residential property.

(g)

Proposed Erection of Primary Care Centre:

84-90 Holmscroft Street, Greenock (IC/04/406)

Decided: 

(a)  that the  planning application be referred to the Scottish Ministers as required by the Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 1997  with a recommendation 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;

(2)  that the primary care centre shall not open for use until all of the off street parking detailed on drawing 04107-20-005 has been completed, in the interests of road safety on Mount Pleasant Street and Holmscroft Street;

(3)  that no development shall commence until samples of all external materials have been submitted to and approved by the Head of Planning Services in writing; development shall thereafter proceed utilising the approved  materials unless permission is given to any alternatives;

(4)  that no development shall commence until details of all boundary treatments have been submitted to and approved by the Head of Planning Services  in writing, conditions (3) & (4) being imposed to ensure compatibility with the built form in this locality;

(5)   that no development shall commence until fully detailed landscaping proposals  have been submitted to and approved by the Head of Planning Services in writing;

(6)   that the approved scheme of landscaping shall be implemented in the first planting season following completion of the primary care centre and any specimens which within 5 years die, become diseased or are damaged shall be replaced in the next planting season with a similar specimen unless the Head of Planning Services gives his prior approval to any alternatives, conditions (5) & (6) being imposed to ensure the provision of a quality landscaping scheme; and

(b)   that on the issuing of planning permission road closure procedures be commenced in respect of the footpath crossing the site.

(h)

Erection of Dwellinghouse:

Adjacent to 50 Dougliehill Road, Port Glasgow (IC/04/392R)

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 examine further  the issue of footpath provision.

(i)

Erection of House:

The Lodge, Hazelmere Road, Kilmacolm (IC/04/423)

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 the application with the applicant following receipt of further representations.

(j)

Extension to Existing Kitchen Together with Alterations to

Existing Outbuildings to Form Self-Contained Dwellinghouse:

North Branchal Farm, Kilmacolm (IC/04/449)

Decided:  that planning permission be granted.

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PLANNING APPEAL - BERRYYARDS FARM, BERRYYARDS ROAD, GREENOCK

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There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2005 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Committee at the meeting held on 2 June 2004 to refuse planning permission for the erection of a dwellinghouse (in outline) at Berryyards Farm, Berryyards Road, Greenock (IC/04/020R), and the subsequent appeal by the applicant to the Scottish Ministers against that refusal, the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers had issued his decision which was to uphold the appeal.

Noted

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ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT APPEAL -  PULLMAN TAVERN,

LOCHWINNOCH ROAD, KILMACOLM

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There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2005 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Committee at the meeting held on 5 January 2005 to refuse advertisement consent for the erection of signage at the Pullman Tavern, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm (CA/04/043R), an appeal against refusal of advertisement consent had been made to the Scottish Ministers.

Noted

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ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT APPEAL - TESCO, DALRYMPLE STREET, GREENOCK

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There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2005 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Committee at the meeting held on 1 September 2004 for the display of three internally illuminated freestanding signs at Tesco, Dalrymple Street, Greenock (CA/04/34) and the subsequent appeal by the applicant to the Scottish Ministers against that refusal, the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers had issued his decision which was to dismiss the appeal.

Noted

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ENFORCEMENT NOTICE APPEAL -

NORTH DENNISTON, BRIDGE OF WEIR ROAD, KILMACOLM

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There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2005 by the Head of Planning Services advising that following the decision of the Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee at the meeting held on 5 June 2002 to refuse planning permission for enlargement of the driveway and erection of lighting columns at North Denniston, Kilmacolm (IC/02/087) and the service of an enforcement notice and the subsequent appeal by the applicant to the Scottish Ministers against the service of the enforcement notice, the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers had issued his decision which was to dismiss the appeal.

Noted

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AUDIT SCOTLAND - PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR

SCOTTISH COUNCILS 2003/04

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There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2005 by the Head of Planning Services on performance indicators relative to the determination of planning applications for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 in comparison with other Scottish local authorities.

Noted

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PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER -

ON-STREET PARKING PLACES (WITHOUT CHARGES) ORDER NO. 1 2004

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking within designated parking places at various locations within Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm to disabled persons displaying a badge under the appropriate Regulations only.

Decided:  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in relation to a Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking within designated parking places at various locations within Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm to disabled persons displaying a badge under the appropriate Regulations only and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service and the Head of Legal Services to arrange for implementation of the Order.  

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PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS -

24 TONNE WEIGHT RESTRICTION REVOCATION: 5 BRIDGES, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the making of Traffic Regulation Orders to revoke the 24 tonne weight restriction on the bridges at Duncan Street, Greenock, Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow, Manor Crescent, Gourock, Pennyfern Road, Greenock and Bearhope Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in relation to Traffic Regulation Orders to revoke the 24 tonne weight restriction on the bridges at Duncan Street, Greenock, Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow, Manor Crescent, Gourock, Pennyfern Road, Greenock and Bearhope Street, Greenock and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service and to the Head of Legal Services to arrange for implementation of the Orders.