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V27-409 : W8471/13 - CLAYS PRINTING WORKS, BROAD STREET, BUNGAY

Outline Application for a food store, petrol filling station, employment area and housing.

Before consideration of the item, the Chief Executive explained the reasons for the urgency in calling the meeting to consider this item. This was the result of a judicial review brought about by Clays Plc's decision to challenge the earlier granting of permission to W12187/5 for a food store at Hillside Road East, Bungay for the Anglia Co-Operative Society and the Co- Op's subsequent legal action of their own. He added that whatever the decision, the application would have to be referred to Planning and Transportation Committee as a departure from the adopted Waveney Local Plan. A meeting of that Committee had also been arranged to directly follow this meeting, as the Council had to endeavour to make a decision on both applications by 16 July 1999.

Prior to explaining his report in detail, the Director of Planning and Building Control reminded members that the application before them effectively ran in tandem with a forthcoming one from Clays to move their entire operation to a site at Flixton (West). However, he reminded members that as it had not been possible yet to consider that application the application before them must be considered solely on its own merit. A members site visit had taken place earlier in the day.

In addition to his report, the Director informed members that negotiations with the applicant had seen a reduction in the proposed size of the food store to 22,500 square feet, an increase in `employment' area to one acre plus the filling station, and a decrease in the land for housing to 3.5 acres.

Bungay Town Council had passed no formal resolution on the application, but had given its general support as issues such as coach parking were addressed. The Broads Authority's concerns were mainly over the visual impact from the adjoining water meadows, but it was felt that any new aspect could only be an improvement on the existing. Suffolk County Council had lodged a holding objection until the details of the forthcoming `tandem' application for Clays new site were known. The Highway Authority had agreed with the general conclusion of the report submitted by the applicants.

In conclusion, the Director felt that the application before members was more appropriate in line with current government policy as an `edge of town' application, located just 200 metres from the continuation of the main shopping area into Earsham Street. The Co-Op Society had challenged the interpretation of the `Town Centre' feeling that solely St Marys Street should be considered as the centre; a late letter from their agent was circulated and considered by members. The Director pointed out that the main Post Office was in Earsham Street. He recommended approval of application W8471/13, subject to the conditions listed.

In favour of the recommendation, members felt the site, as nearer the Town Centre was more acceptable, with the stipulation that food and food products only should be sold. From the members visit, the existing site was very haphazard, and redevelopment on a planned basis could only enhance this entrance to Bungay. The application was felt good for Bungay, environmentally sound, and above all would accord with the Council's primary aim of economic well-being. An imaginative scheme could be produced, but good pedestrian links to the existing shopping were essential.

Against the motion, members agreed that Bungay needed a decent foodstore and that trade in the Town Centre would suffer wherever it was placed. However, they were wary of the cross-town traffic movements which the Clays site may produce, and preferred the siting of the Co-Op at Hillside Road where the greater population was.

RESOLVED
That application W8471/13 be referred to the Planning and Transportation Committee, as a major planning application and a departure from the adopted Waveney Local Plan, with a recommendation of approval, subject to the following:
(i) The prior conclusion of a Section 106 Agreement, the effect of which shall be to prohibit any development at the application site until the applicant's proposed new printing works has been constructed, in the locality, and is operational. (ii) Standard Outline Conditions - all details reserved.
(iii) Agreement, subject to detailed design, on the amounts of land to be used for residential and employment purposes.
(iv) Restriction of non-food sales from the foodstore and limitation of its gross floorspace to 22,500 square feet.

The meeting was concluded at 7.50 pm.

Chairman
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE - 12/07/99

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE - 12/07/99

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Volume 27 Minute 408

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