Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Wed 17 May 2023

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR PLANNING APPLICATION

APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 23/00521/S73
ADDRESS: 1 Woodland Terrace Greenbank Road Plymouth PL4 8NL
DESCRIPTION: Variation of Condition 1 (Approved Plans) of application 20/02004/S73 - Change to parking layout required due to telecoms box blocking garage. As a result, space 6 is behind (and blocked by) space 7, but moped space gained. The change is explained in the Planning Statement.
CASE OFFICER: Daniel Thorning (Planning Officer)
Development Management, PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

CONSULTEE: Gary Lester (Transport Officer)
PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Transport Planning Team, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

Date: 12th May 2023

COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) had been unable to support the consented development for ten flats, as detailed in their reply (dated 10th May 2019) to application number 19/00538/FUL, which has remained the case. Due to the off-street car parking shortfall, and the likelihood of resultant overspill car parking occurring in the local streets.

This current proposal would to a small extent be likely to further exacerbate the off-street parking shortfall at the property, resulting in one of the car parking spaces being blocked-in of another, in a tandem parking configuration. With both of those spaces being allocated to one of the 3-bedroomed apartments, but leaving another of the apartments without a parking space. So off-street car parking would be provided for six, out of the ten flats, which would add to the likelihood of resultant overspill car parking in the local streets. Although it is noted that in mitigation some parking provision would be provided for mopeds or motorcycles.

The proposed changes to the ground-floor parking layout are being proposed in order to avoid the need to relocate an existing above ground Telecommunications Cabinet. Although in practical terms the cabinet could be relocated, and that was the expectation in order to achieve the proposed and consented off-street car parking layout. In which regard the LHA are mindful of the advice contained in paragraph 135 of the NPPF, which refers to seeking to ensure that the quality of approved development is not materially diminished between permission and completion.

SUMMARY:
Accordingly the LHA advises that the proposed changes to ground-floor car parking layout should be considered as part of the overall planning balance. But should planning permission be granted then it is recommended that the previous highway related planning conditions are re-applied as follows: -


() PROVISION OF PARKING AREA PRE-OCCUPATION
Each parking space shown on the approved plans including for motorcycles and mopeds (excluding any remote parking) shall be constructed, drained, surfaced and made available for use before the unit of accommodation that it serves is first occupied and thereafter that space shall not be used for any purpose other than the parking of vehicles.
Reason: To enable vehicles used by occupiers or visitors to be parked off the public highway so as to avoid damage to amenity and interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway in accordance with DEV29 of the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034.


() CYCLE PROVISION PRE-OCCUPATION
No dwelling shall be occupied until space has been laid out within the site in accordance with the approved details for bicycles related to that dwelling to be securely parked. The secure area for storing bicycles shown on the approved plan shall remain available for its intended purpose and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior consent of the Local Planning Authority.
Reason: In order to promote cycling as an alternative to the use of private cars in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034.


() REINSTATEMENT OF FOOTWAY PRE-OCCUPATION
No dwelling shall be occupied until the existing footway crossing (to become redundant) has been removed and the footway reinstated.
Reason: In the interests of public safety, convenience and amenity in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034.


() TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER PRE-OCCUPATION
Prior to any occupation of the development hereby permitted the developer shall fund and begin the process to seek to implement a new TRO in a timely manner in accordance with the consent to be agreed between the developer and the Highway Authority. All associated costs are to be borne by the applicant.
Reason: To preserve the function and safety of the Local highway Network and convenience to the public in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 ' 2034


Gary Lester
Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the Service
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure