Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=348&MId=3607&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 18 August 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Planning Development Management Committee (Visits) of 27 August 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

Planning Reference – 141813

The documents associated with this application can be found at:-

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=141813

Planning Officer – Andrew Miller

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application for planning permission for change of use of part of the stable building to form 14 dog kennels, subject to the following conditions:-

(1)        That the kennels shall not be brought into use unless the development has been completed in its entirety as detailed in the plans hereby approved as part of this development and shall be operated in accordance with mitigation measures as detailed in the document Noise Impact Assessment: Proposed Dog Kennels, Aberdeen Pet Resort, Milltimber, Aberdeen by CSP Acoustics dated 10 June 2015 for the lifetime of the use of the kennels, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Planning Authority – in order to ensure the kennels are operated in accordance with the mitigation measures detailed in the Noise Impact Assessment provided with the application, the measures considered necessary to reduce noise emission from the kennels to an acceptable level, in the interests of the amenity of the surrounding area.

(2)        That the kennels hereby approved shall house no more than 14 dogs at any one time – in order to ensure the kennels are operated in accordance with the mitigation measures detailed in the Noise Impact Assessment provided with the application, the measures considered necessary to reduce noise emission from the kennels to an acceptable level, in the interests of the amenity of the surrounding area.

(3)       that no development pursuant to the planning permission hereby approved shall be carried out unless there has been submitted to and approved in writing for the purpose by the planning authority a further detailed scheme of landscaping for the site, which scheme shall include indications of all existing trees and landscaped areas on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development, and the proposed areas of tree/shrub planting including details of numbers, densities, locations, species, sizes and stage of maturity at planting - in the interests of the amenity of the area.

(4)       that all planting, seeding and turfing comprised in the approved scheme of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting season following the completion of the development and any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a size and species similar to those originally required to be planted, or in accordance with such other scheme as may be submitted to and approved in writing for the purpose by the planning authority - in the interests of the amenity of the area.

Councillor Boulton proposed that the application be deferred to allow local residents and neighbours time to undertake their own noise impact assessment.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application to allow local residents and neighbours to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Planning Reference – 141888

The documents associated with this planning application can be found at:

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=141888

Planning Officer – Paul Williamson

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application for planning permission for the upgrade of the Jessiefield roundabout Junction on the A944 in order to provide a connection of a new road, footpaths and cycle paths into the designated land release of Countesswells, identified as Opportunity Site OP58 within the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012), subject to the following conditions:-

(1)       That no development in connection with the planning permission hereby approved shall take place until full details of the siting, design/specification, and landscaping have been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority by way of separate application(s) for matters specified in condition (MSC applications).  The development shall then be implemented in complete accordance with the approved details, or those subsequently approved.  The MSC applications shall include (a) a detailed levels survey of the site and cross sections showing proposed finished road levels relative to existing ground levels and a fixed datum point; (b) a detailed drainage plan , including full details of the proposed means of disposal of surface water from the development, including how surface water run-off shall be addressed during construction, as well as incorporating the principles of pollution prevention and mitigation measures.  The final location of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), including ponds, should be appropriately positioned in accordance with an agreed flood risk assessment; (c) details of all cut and fill operations; (d) the details of all roads, footpaths and cycleways including tie-ins to existing/proposed roads (including confirmation of control over necessary land); (e) details of any screen walls/fencing to be provided; (f) details of all landscaping, planting and screening associated with the development - in order to comply with Section 59 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning etc.  (Scotland) Act 2006;

(2)        The landscaping details to be submitted pursuant to condition 1 above shall include (a) existing and proposed finished ground levels relative to a fixed datum point; (b) existing landscape features and vegetation to be retained; (c) existing and proposed services including cables, pipelines and substations; (d) the location of new trees, shrubs, hedges, grassed areas and water features; (e) a schedule of plants to comprise species, plant sizes and proposed numbers and density; (f) the location, design and materials of all hard landscaping works including walls, fences, gates, street furniture and play equipment; (g) an indication of existing trees, shrubs and hedges to be removed; (h) a biodiversity action plan; (i) a management plan detailing appropriate management measures for all watercourse buffer strips; and (j) a programme for the completion and subsequent maintenance of the proposed landscaping.  All soft and hard landscaping proposals shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme and shall be completed during the planting season immediately following the commencement of each respective phase of the development or such other date as may be agreed in writing with the planning authority.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Planning Reference – 141889

The documents associated with this application can be found at:

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=141889

Planning Officer – Paul Williamson

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application for planning permission for the upgrade of the Kingswells Roundabout junction on the A944 in order to provide connection of a new road (including bus lane), footpaths and cycle paths into the designated land release at Countesswells, identified as Opportunity Site OP58 within the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (2012), subject to the following conditions:-

(1)       That no development in connection with the planning permission hereby approved shall take place until full details of the siting, design/specification, and landscaping have been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority by way of separate application(s) for matters specified in condition (MSC applications).  The development shall then be implemented in complete accordance with the approved details, or those subsequently approved.  The MSC applications shall include (a) a detailed levels survey of the site and cross sections showing proposed finished road levels relative to existing ground levels and a fixed datum point; (b) a detailed drainage plan , including full details of the proposed means of disposal of surface water from the development, including how surface water run-off shall be addressed during construction, as well as incorporating the principles of pollution prevention and mitigation measures.  The final location of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), including ponds, should be appropriately positioned in accordance with an agreed flood risk assessment; (c) details of all cut and fill operations; (d) the details of all roads, footpaths and cycleways including bus lanes and tie-ins to existing/proposed roads (including confirmation of control over necessary land); (e) details of any screen walls/fencing to be provided; (f) details of all landscaping, planting and screening associated with the development - in order to comply with Section 59 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning etc.  (Scotland) Act 2006;

(2)       The landscaping details to be submitted pursuant to condition 1 above shall include (a) existing and proposed finished ground levels relative to a fixed datum point; (b) existing landscape features and vegetation to be retained; (c) existing and proposed services including cables, pipelines and substations; (d) the location of new trees, shrubs, hedges, grassed areas and water features; (e) a schedule of plants to comprise species, plant sizes and proposed numbers and density; (f) the location, design and materials of all hard landscaping works including walls, fences, gates, street furniture and play equipment; (g) an indication of existing trees, shrubs and hedges to be removed; (h) a biodiversity action plan; (i) a management plan detailing appropriate management measures for all watercourse buffer strips; and (j) a programme for the completion and subsequent maintenance of the proposed landscaping.  All soft and hard landscaping proposals shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme and shall be completed during the planting season immediately following the commencement of each respective phase of the development or such other date as may be agreed in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

At this juncture, the Convener indicated that he would be speaking on behalf of Old Aberdeen Community Council and Old Aberdeen Heritage Society in support of their objections in relation to the following item of business, and therefore vacated the Chair in favour of the Vice Convener.

Planning Reference – 150392

The documents associated with this application can be found at:

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=150392

Planning Officer – Alex Ferguson

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee expresses a willingness to approve the application for listed building consent retrospectively for the installation of a partly glazed partition wall (incorporating double doors) that runs on an east/west axis, forming a corridor at the southern end of the former hall, as well as for the erection of a diagonal timber screen in the north western corner of the Refectory room, subject to referral to Historic Scotland.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The Convener addressed the Committee as indicated above and requested that the application be refused.  Accordingly, in terms of Section 7.15 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, the Convener declared an interest in the matter and withdrew from the meeting.

The Vice Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Jaffrey:-

That the application be refused on the grounds that the development destroys the character and appearance of the listed building and is therefore contrary to Scottish Planning Policy, Scottish Historic Environment Policy and Policy D5 (Built Heritage) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

Councillor Dickson, seconded by Councillor Sandy Stuart moved as an amendment:-

That the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation set out in the report.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (9) - the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Crockett, Greig, Jaffrey, Lawrence, Malik, Jean Morrison MBE and Thomson for the amendment (3) – Councillors Dickson, Jennifer Stewart, and Sandy Stuart; absent from the division (1) the Convener.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to adopt the motion to refuse the application and commence formal enforcement proceedings; and

(ii)        that a letter be issued by the Vice Convener to the applicant condemning the works which had been undertaken without the appropriate planning consent.

At this juncture, the Vice Convener vacated the Chair in favour of the Convener upon his return.

Planning Reference – 151182

The documents associated with this application can be found at:

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=151182

Planning Officer – Hannah Readman

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application for the erection of a sales cabin until March 2016, subject to the following conditions:-

(1)       That the sales cabin hereby granted planning permission shall not remain on the site after a period of 6 months expiring 31st March 2016 – that the character and siting of the cabin is not such as to warrant its retention for a period longer than that specified in this permission; and

(2)       That the site hereby granted consent is fully restored to grazing ground comprising wild grasses within 4 weeks of the consent expiry date thereby being 28th April 2016. – in the interests of protecting the character of the green space network, the green belt and the visual amenity of the area.

INFORMATIVE

The access junction layout is to be designed to Aberdeen City council standards. The development will require to be subject to a section 56 procedure – please contact Colin Burnet on 01224 522409 to discuss this matter in detail.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

Planning Application – 140844

The documents associated with this application can be viewed at-

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=140844

Planning Officer – Paul Williamson

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee express a willingness to approve the application conditionally for a residential-led mixed use development including approximately 1700 homes, local retail and commercial provision, education, leisure and community uses and associated new and upgraded access roads, landscaping and ancillary engineering works, but to withhold the issue of the consent document until the applicant has entered into a legal agreement with the Council to ensure:-

1.            The provision of 25% affordable housing on site;

2.            Financial contributions towards a gypsy traveller halting site within the ‘Greenferns Landward’ site;

3.            Financial contributions towards primary education provision and the provision of serviced land within the site for a new two stream primary school;

4.            Financial contributions towards secondary education provision;

5.            Financial contributions towards community facilities and sports & recreation and provision of serviced land within the site for new sports pitches;

6.            Financial contributions towards healthcare and provision of serviced land within the site for a new health centre;

7.            Financial contributions towards the Strategic Transport Fund; and

8.            Financial contributions towards mitigation on the local roads network.

(1)       WATERCOURSES AND FLOOD RISK

No development shall take place unless a matters specified in conditions application comprising a detailing a scheme for the protection and enhancement of the water environment has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority in consultation with SEPA [and SNH or other agencies as appropriate].  The scheme shall include –

(i) Confirmation of the location of all existing water bodies on site and demonstration of how they have been positively incorporated into the layout of the development, including appropriate buffer zones between the top of the bank of the watercourse and the development; (ii) Full details relating to the upgrading of existing culverts / de-culverting of any watercourses on site.  Any such proposals shall be designed to accommodate the 1 in 200 year flow; (iii) Full details relating to any other proposed engineering activities in the water environment, including the location and type of any proposed watercourse crossings.  Any proposed watercourse crossings shall be designed to accept the 1 in 200 year flow.  Thereafter all works on site must be undertaken in accordance with the approved scheme unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority in consultation with SEPA.

Reason – in order to protect and improve the water environment and to protect people and property from flood risk.

(2)       AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT

No development shall take place unless matters specified in conditions application comprising an assessment of emissions to air from road traffic associated with the whole development has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority.  The assessment shall be undertaken in accordance with a method approved by Council’s Environmental Health Service and take into account additional traffic associated with other consented or proposed developments in the area, including the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.  Where the development is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Planning Reference – 140924

The documents associated with this application can be found at:

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=140924

Planning Officer – Daniel Lewis

With reference to article 3 of the minute of meeting of 18 June 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development which outlined that, following the Members decision of 18 June 2015 of a willingness to approve the development subject to the completion of legal agreement, the applicants agent has approached the planning authority to highlight the following:-

• their difficulties in obtaining an end-user for a large supermarket due to the current economic climate; and
• the fact that they had been approached by IKEA with an offer to occupy a 4,274 square metres of the area the applicant previously proposed as a supermarket

That, in the light of the changed circumstances, an amended proposal was being referred back to Committee by the Convenor in consultation with the Head of Service as follows:-

• Retain the Makro (wholesale warehouse) store (as proposed in the original application submission) at 4502 square metres (reduced from the current overall premises level of 10,252 square metres;
• Reduce the extent of Class 1(Retail) Supermarket to 1476 square metres from 5750 sqm at present;
• Provide a store / warehouse of, for a new concept order and collect unit for IKEA.  External alterations to include a third entrance feature and associated cladding alterations; and,
• A drop in the number of car parking spaces provided overall from 500 down to 482.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee reiterate its decision of 18 June 2015 to approve the application conditionally for alterations to the existing wholesale Cash and Carry of 10,252 square metres (inclusive of mezzanine level) to form two separate units with one of 4,502 square metres being retained for wholesale use, and a larger (southern) unit of 5,750 square metres being used for Supermarket (Class 1) retail purposes (70% convenience / 30% comparison retailing), but to withhold the issue of the consent document until the applicant has entered into a legal agreement with the Council to address the following matters:-

1.         Developer contributions towards the Strategic Transport Fund; and,

2.         Developer contributions towards mitigation on the local roads network together with the provision of infrastructure.

It was therefore recommended that approval is granted subject to the following conditions:-

(1)  That no development shall take place unless a scheme detailing all external finishing materials to the roof and walls of the development hereby approved has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the planning authority and thereafter the development shall be carried out in accordance with the details so agreed - in the interests of visual amenity.

(2)  That no development shall take place unless a scheme of all drainage works designed to meet the requirements of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority and thereafter no part of the development shall be occupied unless the drainage has been installed in complete accordance with the said scheme - in order to safeguard water qualities in adjacent watercourses and to ensure that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Planning Reference – 150988

The documents associated with this application can be found at:-

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=150988

Planning Officer – Andrew Miller

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee refuse the application in respect of planning permission for the erection of a two and a half storey house in an L shape footprint with integral double garage, on the following grounds:-

(1)  The proposed house fails to comply with policy H1 – Residential Areas of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2012 and associated Supplementary Guidance on the Sub-division and Redevelopment of Residential Curtilages whereby the proposals: constitute “backland” development, failing to have a public frontage to a street; result in a higher plot density than the plots to the north of the site; and would result in the loss of privacy to neighbouring properties, detrimental to their established residential amenity;

(2)  The scale and design of the house, coupled with its siting would have an adverse impact on the setting of ‘Ardsheiling’ and the wider Pitfodels Conservation Area, contrary to the requirements of policy D1 – Architecture and Placemaking of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2012, as well as Scottish Planning Policy, Scottish Historic Environment Policy and subsequently policy D5 – Built Heritage of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2012; and

(3)  The impact of the development on established trees within the garden that contribute to the character of the local area has not be demonstrated and subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of policy NE5 – Trees and Woodland of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2012 and Sub-division and Redevelopment of Residential Curtilages Supplementary Guidance.

In light of the above reasons, the proposals also fail to comply with the requirements of policies H1 – Residential Areas, D1 – Quality Placemaking by Design, D4 – Historic Environment and NE5 – Trees and Woodlands of the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation contained within the report.

Planning Reference – 151034

The documents associated with this application can be viewed at-

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=151034

Planning Officer – Gavin Evans

The Committee had before it a report by the Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee note that this application in respect planning permission for a proposed residential development comprising of 56 residential units, associated infrastructure and landscaping works relates to land currently owned by Aberdeen City Council, and has attracted a significant level of representation from within the local community, however the proposal does not represent a departure from the Development Plan, and the issues raised are primarily of local interest.  It is not considered that a non-statutory public hearing would be warranted in this instance.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation contained within the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which recommended that a new Technical Advice Note (TAN) on ‘Planning and Aberdeen Airport’ be adopted as a non-statutory planning guidance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the results of the six-week public consultation period and the amendments made to the draft document as a result; and

(b)       adopt the Planning and Aberdeen Airport TAN document as non-statutory planning guidance, subject to the determination of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which recommended that a new Technical Advice Note (TAN) on ‘Student Accommodation’ be adopted as a non-statutory planning guidance.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       note the results of the six-week public consultation period and the amendments made to the draft document as a result; and

(b)       adopt the Student Accommodation TAN document as non-statutory planning guidance, subject to the determination of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

- RAMSAY MILNE, Convener.