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Planning and Environment Committee Meeting

MINUTES Meeting held 18th November 2024

In attendance:

Cllr Lena Hogben

Cllr Steve Hogben

Cllr Toni Mortimer

Cllr Kevin Murray

Cllr John Rhodes

Cllr Dennis Straine-Francis

 

PE/24/6/1 To receive apologies for absence
  Cllr Jamie Messent & Cllr Marilyn Houston
PE/24/6/2    To note declarations of Members’ interests
  Cllr Straine-Francis declared a non-pecuniary interest in application 24/4275/FUL, being acquainted with the operators of the site, and took no part in the discussion.
PE/24/6/3 To confirm and sign the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 14th October 2024
  RESOLVED: That the minutes are approved as a true record of the meeting
PE/24/6/4 Public Participation
  A period not exceeding 15 minutes for members of the public to ask questions or submit comments that relate to the items within the agenda.

None
PE/24/6/5. To consider making a response to the following planning applications:  
   

24/4416/NMA Land Adjacent To 179 Alton Street, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW2 7PU Non Material Amendment to 23/0727N – Erection of two sets of two semi-detached properties and a rear extension to no.179 (renewal of planning permission 19/0339N)
 No comments    
24/1225D Street Record David Whitby Way, Weston, Cheshire East Discharge of Condition 12 on approval 21/4434N for Reserved Matters application following Outline application 15/1537N for a mixed use development
 No comments    
24/3664D Pyms Lane, Crewe, CW1 3PL Discharge of condition 7B & 7C on approval 23/2349N: Demolition of an existing temporary industrial warehouse and construction of an Integrated Logistics Centre including a covered logistics route, internal amenity and office annex
 No comments    
 
24/3643N 194, Nantwich Road, Crewe, CW2 6BP Change of use from shop to 6 bedroom hmo (sui generis)  

RESOLVED:          That the committee objects to the proposals on the following grounds:

  1. That HMO’s have been identified as unsustainable low quality accommodation, creating local issues due to the nature of the accommodation and being the subject of Article 4 Directives in Crewe to restrict their proliferation.
  2. That the proposals will lead to loss of amenity for neighbouring properties due to on street waste and noise.
  • That the proposals represent over-development of the site, providing for cramped accommodation with no amenity space for potential residents.
  1. Concerns relating to safety of emergency egress from the second floor.
  2. That the proposals do not provide for off street parking, which will adversely affect existing residents in the area due to pressures associated with on-street parking in that area. It is unreasonable to assume that all residents of such a proposal will not have cars.
24/4275/FUL Tom Lesters Garage, 173 Minshull New Road, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW1 3PW Proposed side extension for garage

No comments

24/4178/DSC Crewe Library Prince Albert Street, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW1 2DH a new History Centre (Class F1) with related access, servicing, landscaping and other associated works, following the demolition of the former Crewe Library building.

Members commented that the information provided within the application was disappointing and did not support accessible understanding of context and details of the associated proposals.

24/3161N 333b West Street, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW1 3HU Change of Use from Residential (Class C3) to Commercial (Class E)

No further comments

24/4442/PRIOR-3O 196 Nantwich Road, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW2 6BP Prior change of use – The existing 2 storey office building will be divided into 4 separate flats, 2 on each floor.

Whilst the committee had no objection to the principle of the development, being that the provision of flats indicates a more sustainable standard of accommodation than HMO, there are concerns relating to:

  1. Waste storage detailing was inadequate and would lead to on street residential waste, which is a known issue in the area, due to the increased number of bins for 4 residential units.
  2. Lack of external amenity space for potential residents.
PE/24/6/6 To consider making responses to any urgent planning application consultations that  have arisen since this agenda was published
   

24/4318/CLPUD 136 Richmond Road, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW1 4AX Certificate of proposed lawful use for internal and minor external layout alternations and change of use to C4 – House in Multiple Occupation (6no. occupants max)

RESOLVED:      That the committee objects to the proposals on the following grounds:

i.              That HMO’s have been identified as unsustainable low quality accommodation, creating local issues due to the nature of the accommodation and being the subject of Article 4 Directives in Crewe to restrict their proliferation.

ii.            That the proposals will lead to loss of amenity for neighbouring properties due to on street waste and noise.

iii.           That the proposals represent over-development of the site, providing for cramped accommodation with inadequate amenity space for potential residents.

iv.           Concerns relating to safety of emergency egress from the second floor.

v.             That the proposals do not provide for off street parking, which will adversely affect existing residents in the area due to pressures associated with on-street parking in that area. It is unreasonable to assume that all residents of such a proposal will not have cars.

24/1409N Land to the West of David Whitby Way, adjacent to Crotia Mill Farm, Weston, Cheshire East Full planning application for residential development comprising 20 dwellings, with associated landscaping and infrastructure.

No comments

24/3552N Adelaide School Adelaide Street, Crewe, Cheshire East, CW1 3DT The proposed development is for a single-storey linked circulation extension attaching to a

two-storey classroom extension, to the western elevation. The extension will provide 2 No.

classrooms, Unisex toilet facilities, a quiet room & one-to-one meeting facilities.

Members agreed that the provision of unisex toilets was not supported, seeking consideration of separate toilet facilities.
PE/24/6/7 To note responses submitted under delegation since the previous meeting

None
PE/24/6/8 To note and/or consider correspondence, consultations, planning policy and member items

8.1 Pre-application engagement relating to Breedon House/Regency Court, CW2 7EA
  A presentation from the developers gave an insight in to the proposals. The committee, whilst not holding a view on the proposals at this stage, commented the following:

  • Waste storage – practical and sustainable – minimise risk of side waste, on street waste and pests. Making it straightforward and best option for residents to use the bins provided as intended.
  • Secure and readily accessible cycle storage
  • Net biodiversity gain (bird boxes (swifts are a particular focus in Crewe), invertebrate habitats, etc)
  • Sustainable energy production (eg solar panels)
  • Crowding effect and over development – the committee has not commonly supported developments that provide high density developments without consideration of setting and reasonable site capacity, with a consideration for the long term impact for current and future residents.
  • Sustainable drainage as a requirement of all developments
  • Public Art is welcomed in Crewe and a large scale development might identify an opportunity to augment or enhance their development’s impact on the wider community with the inclusion of accessible art work.
  • Highest quality practical, not highest density possible – amenity and ambition – this relates to providing residential units of a good mix and of a good size for residents to enjoy living in Crewe. The committee has in the past not supported proposals that provide for units of the minimum housing standards.
  • Parking – whilst the committee understands the sustainable location approach, there will inevitably be a demand for personal motor transport and the mitigation of the impact of this is routinely considered.
  • You mentioned aspects of sustainability in the proposals. The committee is routinely interested in this aspect, potentially carbon sequestering, capturing and embedded carbon, as well as the items mentioned above.
  • Consideration of tree planting on development sites is welcomed.

·         Resident safety – providing safe, well lit, controlled/managed and secure access and egress for residents, whilst also ensuring that no anti-social behaviour black spots/dark areas are created that may encourage loitering or illegal activity. Design Out Crime principles
PE/24/6/9 To note correspondence associated with planning enforcement
  None
PE/24/6/10 Building Conservation

10.1 To receive a verbal update on the process of engagement with the planning authority
  Noted
PE/24/6/11 To note the proposed date of the next meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee is

13th January 2025.

Meeting closed at 7.32pm

Chair   Cllr John Rhodes

Clerk    P Turner

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    Meeting documents

    Planning Agenda Pack 18112004

    View Document
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