Erection of three (4-storey) blocks of student accommodation; one (3-storey) block of management and post-graduate accommodation; new/altered vehicular access; cycle parks; and ancillary works.

The Team Manager – Development Management introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and access. 

Members had undertaken a site visit that morning and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

Members noted the additional information in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting.

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Part 4, Paragraph 6.2) Councillor Claire Wild spoke in support of the proposal but did not vote.  During which she raised the following points:

·         The University would be a welcomed addition to Shrewsbury and had been well supported and embraced.

·         There had been only 17 objections to this application;

·         Her only issue was with the façade but she acknowledged that this would be conditioned and could be “worked-through” with the Architect; and

·         She urged approval.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1) Councillor Andrew Bannerman, as local Ward Councillor, made a statement, left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During his statement the following points were raised:

·         He welcomed the University which would be an asset to the town of Shrewsbury;

·         He questioned why Councillors had not been involved or given the opportunity to view plans during the pre-application stage and his request for any plans to be considered by a Design Review Panel had been denied;

·         He questioned if the accommodation in its entirety would be required by September 2016 and even if there was an increase in take-up he doubted whether all the accommodation would be needed so soon; and

·         The integrity of the streetscape would be compromised and he suggested deferral so that more consideration could be afforded to the design.  The Civic Society had raised concerns regarding the design which could have been addressed by a Design Review Panel.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members acknowledged and welcomed the benefits that a University would bring to the area but expressed concerns regarding the design of this accommodation (and made specific reference to the frontage and side elevations) and its impact on the streetscape; the proposed location and number of bin storage areas; and the lack of short-stay parking and a managed drop-off area.  In response to questions/comments from Members, the Team Manager – Development Management explained that the timetable for the development of the accommodation would not be a planning consideration and conditions relating to bin storage, vehicular access, parking and demolition/working hours could be amended or added.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation, subject to:

·         The conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

·         Condition No. 10 to be amended to ensure that the Travel Plan Statement covers appropriate vehicular access during the ‘dropping-off’ and ‘picking-up’ period;

·         Bin store provision to be re-assessed and placed in close proximity to each block of student accommodation; 

·         Further consideration to be given to the design and form of the front elevations, and any consequential alterations to side elevations, by the imposition of an appropriate condition, and, if Historic England raise any ongoing issues relating to the discharge of that condition, then this application be brought back to this Committee for further consideration; and

·         The following additional condition:

No construction and/or demolition work shall be undertaken outside of the following hours: Monday to Friday 07:30 - 18:00, Saturday 08:00 - 13:00. No works shall take place on Sundays and bank holidays.

Reason: to protect the health and wellbeing of residents in the area.