Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=348&MId=4362&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 12 January 2017 for approval.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the minute subject to amending the Declaration of Interest paragraph prior to article 4 to read that Councillor Nicoll declared an interest by virtue of him knowing an objector to the application, not the applicant.

The Committee had before them, the minute of the meeting of the Planning Development Management Committee Pre-Determination Hearing of 18 January 2017 for approval.

An amended version of the minute had been tabled for approval.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the amended minute, which had been tabled at the meeting.

Planning Reference – 150826

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

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Planning Officer – Matthew Easton

With reference to article 7 of the minute of meeting of the Planning, Development Management Committee of 10 December 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Interim Head of Planning and Sustainable Development which sought planning permission in principle (PPiP) for demolition of existing building(s), erection of exhibition and conference centre including subterranean space, energy centre, hotels, offices, leisure, café/restaurants and associated access, landscaping, engineering works (including burn diversion) and car parking (including temporary car parking) at Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn which recommended:

A willingness to approve the application subject to conditions and the registering of a section 75 legal agreement to secure financial contributions towards (i) local road network improvements and (ii) strategic transport network improvements.  The conditions proposed were the same as those listed in the previous report in 2015.

The Committee heard from Mr Matthew Easton, Senior Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the report.  He explained that although the Committee were required to re-consider the PPiP application in its entirety, because the only material consideration to have changed was that in relation to the Strategic Transport Fund, the report looks at the issue of ‘Phase 2’ strategic transport impacts only.

Mr Easton also answered a number of questions from members, specifically addressing concerns in relation to the airport public safety zone.  It was explained to members that the open space and overspill car park uses within the zone were considered to comply with the planning policy relating to public safety zones.  It was highlighted that the overspill car park is only expected to be used when the subterranean car park is being used for exhibition purposes, which it is anticipated to occur during the very largest of exhibitions, which would occur once or twice a year at the most.  It was also explained that the risk within the zone from an aircraft crashing was considerably lower than the risk the public are exposed to from everyday activities such as driving.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation contained within the report.

Planning Reference – 161427

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

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Planning Officer – Andrew Miller

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

That the application be approved conditionally but to withhold consent until an agreement has been put in place to secure developer obligations of £3,291.00 towards the upgrade of open space in the city centre.  The conditions were as follows:-

CONDITIONS

(1)       External Material Finishes

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.

Reason: in order that further evaluation can be given to the material finishes of the building, details of which are lacking from the proposals.

(2)       Landscaping and Amenity Space

That the landscaping scheme hereby approved (namely drawing numbers 16047_HW_200 REV E02, 16047_L_200 REV E02, 16047_SW_200 REV E02 – or such other drawings as may be agreed in writing with the planning authority), shall be implemented in prior to the first use of the development hereby approved (excluding any planting which shall occur no later than the first planting season following completion of the development)

Reason: in order to ensure the external amenity space and associated landscaping are provided timeously.

(3)       Refuse Storage

That the use hereby granted planning permission shall not take place unless provision has been made within the application site for refuse storage and disposal in accordance with a scheme which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority.

Reason: in order to ensure the development is served by suitable refused provision, preserve the amenity of the neighbourhood and in the interests of public health.

(4)       Cycle Storage

That the development hereby granted planning permission shall not be occupied unless a scheme detailing cycle storage provision for 125 cycles in a secure, lockable facility has been submitted to, and approved in writing by the planning authority, and thereafter implemented in full accordance with said scheme.

Reason:  in the interests of encouraging more sustainable modes of travel.

(5)       Noise Impact Assessment

That no development pursuant to this planning permission shall take place unless there has been submitted to and approved in writing for the purpose by the Planning Authority an assessment of the noise levels from the development on the nearest noise sensitive premises, unless the planning authority has given prior written approval for a variation.  The assessment shall be prepared by a suitably qualified independent noise consultant and shall:-

• be in accordance with Planning Advice Note (PAN) 1/2011 Planning and Noise and its accompanying Technical Advice Note;
• identify the likely sources of noise; and
• indicate the measures to reasonably protect the amenity of the occupants of the noise sensitive premises from all such sources of noise that have been identified.

The development shall not be occupied unless the said measures have been implemented in full.

Reason: in the interests of residential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Planning Reference – 161721

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

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Planning Officer – Dineke Brasier

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

That the application be refused for the following reasons:

(1)       Due to its bulk, scale, massing, width and height the proposal is considered out of context in the surrounding area and an overdevelopment on the site.  The site is located in a low density character area that gradually moves westwards along North Deeside Road.  No consideration has been given to these characteristics, nor to the modest nature of the immediate neighbouring dwelling.  The proposal is therefore contrary to policies D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design) and H1 (Residential Areas) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.

(2)       The overall design of the proposed building, due to its massing, width, height and features such as the large flat roof, dormer type sections of the roof and proposed materials is not considered to be of a sufficiently high quality to warrant approval under policy D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan and would not reflect local styles and urban form, nor would it reinforce the established pattern of development.

(3)       The proposed building, due to its height, scale and massing is considered to have an overbearing impact on the modest dwelling at 21 South Avenue, and would result in an unacceptable loss of light to their private garden, rear door and dormer window, and side facing window.  The proposal is therefore considered to have a significant detrimental impact on their residential amenity, and would be contrary to policies D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design) and H1 (Residential Areas) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan and Interim Planning Guidance on Sub-division and Redevelopment of Residential Curtilages.

The Committee heard from Ms. Dineke Brasier, Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the report and confirmed that a number of existing trees on the site had been felled.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation contained within the report and therefore refuse the application.

- COUNCILLOR RAMSAY MILNE, Convener