Agenda item

Demolition of the existing buildings, removal of storage containers and erection of replacement building for the seasonal sale of fireworks and associated year-round storage.

Cllrs Andy Skeats, Julie Robinson, and Hannah Hobbs-Chell left the meeting at 12:59.

The Planning Officer presented the application for the demolition of existing buildings and removal of storage containers, and the erection of a replacement building for fireworks sale and storage. The location of the site was shown on a map, and it was noted that the use for seasonal sale of fireworks and storage was established, with two buildings and storage containers currently used for seasonal sales and year-round storage.

The proposal was to demolish the existing buildings and storage containers and erect a new building. A photograph of the site from the road and plans of the proposed building were shown. The site was screened by mature trees, and the design was considered to be in accordance with policy. The proposed building represented an increase in volume compared to the two existing buildings and would also be higher than the existing buildings, but it would remain modest in height. The proposal was considered to be of modest scale, resulting in a limited loss of openness in the green belt. It was concluded that the proposal accorded with the exception in the National Planning Policy Framework and was therefore not inappropriate development within the green belt.

The Slop Bog Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lay to the south of the site and impacts on the SSSI would be managed by condition. The local Ward Member had raised concern about the lack of water on site in case of a fire, but it was noted that the site already had permission for fireworks sale and storage. The impact on trees was considered and the latest Environment Agency mapping was referenced, showing the site within flood zones 2 and 3, however the use of the site fell within the ‘less vulnerable’ classification.

Flooding maps were displayed, indicating that parking spaces would be at risk of flooding. This triggered the requirement for a sequential test, but no sequential test had been submitted. However, the surface water management plan was deemed acceptable by the Council’s flood risk team. While the proposal failed to comply with policy requiring a sequential test, it was considered that the reduction in flood risk provided by the proposal outweighed this policy conflict.

Dan Wilden spoke as the agent for the application. He noted that the proposal was planned to take place only on the strip of tarmac running through the site, meaning there would be no impact on trees or the surrounding environment. He also noted that the current buildings on site were reaching the end of their lives and replacing them would provide a safer premises for the business. In addition, the applicant was required to apply for a yearly licence from the Council and the site was regularly inspected by Trading Standards.

In response to questions and comments from members, officers provided the following responses:

·       Trading Standards dealt with safety issues in relation to the storage of the fireworks.

·       The buildings were proposed to be constructed out of profile sheet cladding.

·       The road into the site would be wide enough to accommodate delivery vans and small lorries.

It was proposed by Cllr Brenton and seconded by Cllr Sowry-House that the application be granted.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.