Agenda item

Planning Reference – 141430

Planning Application documents can be viewed here –

 http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=141430

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 for the demolition of existing industrial units and the erection of an apart-hotel comprising 71 room suites with associated parking and landscaping, but to withhold the issue of the consent document until the applicant had entered into a legal agreement with the Council to secure developer contributions towards works to the core path network; environmental and access improvements in the area; and the Strategic Transport Fund, and subject to the following conditions:-

(1)  that no development other than the works of demolition/site clearance shall take place within the application site until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work which shall include post-excavation and publication work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the planning authority - in the interests of protecting items of

historical importance as may exist within the application site; (2)  that no development shall take place unless a scheme, including submission of material samples, 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; (3) that the development hereby granted planning permission shall not be occupied unless all drainage works detailed on Plan No 107549/2001, as set out in the Drainage Assessment dated 17/12/2014 and submitted in support of this application by Fairhurst, or such other plan as may subsequently be approved in writing by the planning authority for the purpose have been installed in complete accordance with the said plan - in order to safeguard water qualities in adjacent watercourses and to ensure that the proposed development can be adequately drained; (4) that all proposed stairwell and amenity room windows on the west elevation of the proposed development hereby approved shall not be fitted otherwise than with with obscure glass to a minimal level 2 obscuration unless the planning authority has given prior written approval for a variation - in the interests of protecting the privacy of neighbourng residential properties; (5) that the development hereby granted planning permission shall not be occupied unless a scheme detailing cycle storage provision has been submitted to, and approved in writing by the planning authority, and thereafter implemented in full accordance with said scheme - in the interests of encouraging more sustainable modes of travel; (6) that the development hereby granted planning permission shall not be occupied 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 - in order to preserve the amenity of the neighbourhood and in the interests of public health;  (7) that no development shall take place, other than the works of demolition/site clearance, unless it is carried out in full accordance with a scheme to address any significant risks from contamination on the site, and such scheme has been approved in writing by the planning authority.  The scheme shall follow the procedures outlined in Planning Advice Note 33 Development of Contaminated Land and shall be conducted by a suitably qualified person in accordance with best practice as detailed in BS10175 Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites - Code of Practice and other best practice guidance and shall include (a) an investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination; (b) a site-specific risk assessment; (c) a remediation plan to address any significant risks and ensure the site is fit for the use proposed.  No building(s) on the development site shall be occupied unless (a) any long term monitoring and reporting that may be required by the approved scheme of contamination or remediation plan or that otherwise has been required in writing by the planning authority is being undertaken and (b) a report specifically relating to the building(s) has been submitted and approved in writing by the planning authority that verifies that remedial works to fully address contamination issues related to the building(s) have been carried out, unless the planning authority has given written consent for a variation.  The final building on the application site shall not be occupied unless a report has been submitted and approved in writing by the planning that verifies that completion of the remedial works for the entire application site, unless the planning authority has given written consent for a variation - in order to ensure that the site is fit for human occupation; (8) that the development hereby approved shall not be occupied unless the parking areas hereby granted planning permission have been constructed, drained, laid-out and demarcated in accordance with drawing No. L(00)10 Rev B of the plans hereby approved or such other drawing as may subsequently be submitted and approved in writing by the planning authority. Such areas shall not thereafter be used for any other purpose other than the purpose of the parking of cars or motorcycles ancillary to the development and use thereby granted approval - in the interests of public safety and the free flow of traffic; (9) that the staff changing rooms as shown on the approved plan Ref L(00)10 Rev B, or such other plan as may subsequently be approved in writing by the planning authority for the purpose, shall have been provided in accordance with the details hereby approved prior to first occupation of the building and retained thereafter at all times for such use - to ensure suitable facilities to support and promote sustainable modes of travel; (10) that no development shall take place unless there has been submitted to and approved in writing a detailed Green Travel Plan and Travel Information Pack, which should be site specific and outline measures to deter the use of the private car and promote all kinds of sustainable travel and provide detailed monitoring arrangements, modal split targets and associated penalties for not meeting targets - in order to encourage more sustainable forms of travel to the development; (11) that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) required to deliver the proposed taxi drop off/pick up area, as per drawing number L(00)10 Revision B, is in place prior to occupation of the development hereby approved, or any other such timescale agreed by the planning authority, and the total cost of all works including the promotion of the TRO are  met by the applicant - in the interests of public safety and the free flow of traffic.

INFORMATIVES

1.            It is recommended that no construction or demolition work shall take place: (a)  outwith the hours of 7.00 am to 7.00 pm Mondays to Fridays; (b)  outwith the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturdays; or (c)  at any time on Sundays, except (on all days) for works inaudible outwith the application site boundary.  [For the avoidance of doubt, this would generally allow internal finishing work, but not the use of machinery] - in the interests of residential amenity.

2.            It is recommended that the applicant contact Aberdeen City Waste  Aware section to ascertain further information regarding refuse storage/removal.  Waste Team - Tel 08456 080919 / E-mail - wasteaware@aberdeencity.gov.uk

3.            It is recommended that consideration be given to any potential noise related issues to surrounding residents due to plant installed on site.

4.            A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be required for the proposed taxi drop off/pick up area as per drawing number L(00)10 Revision B. It should be noted that the applicant has responsibility for applying for the TRO.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Corall, that the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation contained within the report.

Councillor Thomson moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Boulton:-

That the application be refused due to the loss of the three ongoing businesses in the industrial units and the effect on employment; on the grounds that the height and massing of the development would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the surrounding area; and due to concerns over the minimal level of car parking to be provided.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (9) – the Convener; and Councillors Corall, Cormie, Crockett, Lawrence, MacGregor, Malik, Jean Morrison MBE, and Sandy Stuart; for the amendment (6) – the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Greig, Jaffrey, Jennifer Stewart and Thomson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.