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V26-1168 : W8645/3 - KIRKLEY PUBLIC HOUSE, LONG ROAD, LOWESTOFT

Application for demolition of public house and bungalow and erection of 12 terraced houses and two semi-detached bungalows.

The report of the Director of Planning and Building Control reminded members that the above site was presently occupied by a vacant detached public house and bungalow situated in a residential area. The layout had been amended to form a more regular street pattern, and when completed would become the responsibility of Broadland Housing Association to provide affordable housing for rent.

There had been 10 objections to the proposal, all relating to foul and surface water drainage problems and the lack of capacity in the existing system. However, Anglian Water had advised that this additional development would not burden the existing system to any significant degree. At the recent site meeting, Anglian Water had also stated that investigations into the localised flooding problems of Kirkley Stream would form part of an overall survey of Lowestoft to be undertaken next year, and it was envisaged that the sewerage system would be upgraded in the future.

The Director advised that the principle of development in this area was acceptable, especially as the site could be regarded as `brownfield'. He was concerned, however, that the end two-storey property at the rear of the site would appear dominant in relation to the bungalow of 112 Long Road. The developer had revised the scheme further with a single storey property in this position, but the owner of 112 Long Road had yet to be reconsulted. The developers would also be expected to make a financial contribution towards the provision of off-site play equipment, which the Director of Community Services suggested should be located at the nearby Britten Road Millennium Green project.

Members had strong concerns over Anglian Water's acceptance of the situation and their failure to reply to concerns over issues further up Kirkley Stream. With the proposed construction of the South Lowestoft Relief Road on the opposite bank it was felt this could only exacerbate the situation. If the properties were to be built, it would seem appropriate that non-return valves were fitted.

The Chief Executive advised that as Anglian Water had no objections, any motion of refusal would have to be referred to Planning and Transportation for decision. Any subsequent appeal was likely to be lost and prove costly. The Director of Planning and Building Control agreed that the drainage situation was deplorable, but reiterated Anglian Water's feelings that with thousands of properties already feeding Kirkley Stream, 14 more were unlikely to make a significant difference. However, he suggested that members could insist upon a raising of the floor level of the development at the rear to two metres, although this would add to the perceived problems of dominance by the two-storey element of the development.

RESOLVED

1. That the Director of Planning and Building Control be given delegated authority to grant planning permission to application W8645/3, subject to negotiations with the developer on an improved layout including the raising of the floor level at the rear of the site to two metres, non-return valves to the properties and re-instatement of the poplar trees in need of removal, consultation with the owner of 112 Long Road on overlooking, appropriate conditions and the completion of a legal agreement covering financial contributions for off site play equipment.

2. That dialogue be entered into with Anglian Water to hasten the proposed survey for Lowestoft, and in particular the issues relating to Kirkley Stream.

(Councillor Keable declared an interest in the above item and left the room during the debate).


Volume 26 Minute 1168

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