Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Fri 08 Sep 2023

Consultation Date: Fri 08 Sep 2023

Consultation Date: Fri 08 Sep 2023

Consultation Date: Fri 08 Sep 2023

Comment Date: Fri 10 Nov 2023

2301247FUL 184 Plymbridge Road.pdf

Comment Date: Fri 29 Sep 2023

184 Plymbridge Rd EDG23.001-FRSR-035.pdf

Comment Date: Fri 29 Sep 2023

947221 Consultation Response 2.pdf

Comment Date: Wed 27 Sep 2023

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR A PLANNING APPLICATION

APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 23/01247/FUL
ADDRESS: 184, Plymbridge Road, Plymouth, PL6 7FL
DESCRIPTION: Erection of aseptic suite facility, and provision of new electrical substation.

CASE OFFICER: Simon Osborne (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: 27th September 2023


COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not wish to raise any objections in principal to the proposed development of an Aseptic Suite facility for the University Hospitals Plymouth, along with the provision of new Electrical Substation. The proposal was subject of a pre-application enquiry (under application 23/00565/MJR) to which the LHA raised no in-principle objections.

The application site is part of the wider NHS, University Hospital Plymouth ¿Lighthouse Labs¿ site (shown within the Blue-line of the application), located at the junction of Estover Road, and Plymbridge Road, Estover. The Lighthouse Laboratory currently operates as a Covid-19 testing facility, where apparently more recently activity at the proposed development site has been reduced, with testing capacity currently at a minimum.

The proposed Aseptic Suite manufactures intravenous medication under controlled conditions in a sterile environment. The new Aseptic Suite building would provide 2400sqm of GIF space over three floors, it would be in operation 24hrs a day, with a total of 50 - 54 full-time employees covering the functions, working an extended working day, with a double shift pattern. The new purpose-built facility would replace the existing Aseptic Suite facility at Derriford Hospital, and is intended to be a regional testing centre. With the existing 37 Aseptic Suite staff currently at Derriford Hospital being transferred to the new facility, with an additional further 17 staff being needed.

The application site on Plymbridge Road and Estover Road is served by the number 27 Bus Service, which runs hourly in each direction Monday to Friday, from 07:44 to 19:08, between Plymouth City Centre, and Southway. Also serving and stopping at the George Park & Ride.

To accommodate the proposed development the existing underutilised parking area would be rearranged to provide 58 car parking spaces (a reduction of 16 spaces from the existing 74, but still within policy expectations in consideration of an allowable reduction for accessibility). The rearranged car parking would in accordance with PCC policy provide in this area: - 40 standard parking spaces (twenty of which would be passively wired for future Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points), plus 15 EV charging spaces, plus 3 Disability spaces. It is understood that cross parking and shared parking will occur as part of the wider site use, although on-site parking would be controlled by the NHS Trust, with staff need a permit to park at the premises, as per the current Trust guidelines and sustainable travel planning.

To encourage cycling as a sustainable means of travel, cycle parking would be provided in accordance with PCC policy, with covered Cycle hoops to accommodate 10 cycles. Shower facilities and lockers would also be provided for staff wishing to cycle or walk to work.

This current application is accompanied by a Transport Statement, that includes a draft Staff Travel Plan, and considers the associated transport and traffic impacts of the development, including - The extant use ¿ Shift pattern working - Accessibility - Sustainable travel - Car parking - Access and egress for servicing and deliveries - Trip Generation. Before concluding that the associated transport impacts and facilities would be satisfactory to support the proposed Aseptic Suite development. Considering the current use of the site with the more recent reduction in activities associated with Covid-19 testing, also in that the new Aseptic Suite would operate shift working patterns that would generate a total 97 vehicle trips per day. Indicating peak vehicle trip generation being 14 two way trips in the AM peak, and 10 in the PM peak. Further considering that the proposed Aseptic Suite would generate peak hour vehicle trips that are below the threshold for further assessment, and therefore (with reference to the NPPF) could not be considered as a severe impact.


SUMMARY:
All things considered including, taking into account the reduce level of activity at the application site, shift working patterns, also that the existing Aseptic Suite function is being relocated from Derriford Hospital so the traffic impacts would not be entirely new to the local area. The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not wish to raise any objections in principal to the proposed development of the proposed Aseptic Suite facility, along with the provision of a new Electrical Substation. But would recommend the following conditions be included should planning permission be granted: -

TRAVEL PLAN (Amended)
() From the date of occupation the Aseptic Suite developmEnt hereby permitted shall implement and build-upon the submitted draft Travel Plan. The said Travel Plan shall seek to encourage staff and all site users to use modes of transport other than the private car to get to and from the premises, and to reduce the associated ¿carbon footprint¿ of the site and its uses. It shall control the use of the permitted car parking areas, and introduce and maintain ¿Electric Vehicle Charging Points¿; arrangements for monitoring the use of provisions available through the operation of the Travel Plan; providing the name, position and contact telephone number of the person responsible for its implementation. From the date of the occupation the occupier shall operate the approved Travel Plan.

Reason:
The Local Planning Authority considers that such measures need to be taken in order to reduce reliance on the use of private cars (particularly single occupancy journeys) and to assist in the promotion of more sustainable travel choices in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.
The applicant should contact Plymouth Transport and Infrastructure for site-specific advice prior to preparing the Travel Plan.


CYCLE PROVISION
() The building shall not be occupied until space has been laid out within the site in accordance with the approved plan for 10 in number bicycles to be covered and 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 adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.


PROVISION OF PARKING AREA
() Each parking space shown on the approved site plans 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 Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.


PROVISION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS
() To assist lower carbon emissions 15 in number Electric Vehicle (EV) car charging points are required to be provided along with 20 car parking spaces to be passive wired ready for a future increase in the number of charging points. To be provided in accordance with the Governments published guidance and specifications in the document titled ¿Workplace Charging Scheme¿.

Reason
To assist in the lowering the carbon footprint of the development in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.


USE OF LOADING AREAS
() The land indicated on the approved Site Plans for the loading and unloading of vehicles shall not be used for any other purposes unless an alternative and equivalent area of land within the curtilage of the site is provided for loading and unloading with the prior consent in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:
To ensure that space is available at all times to enable such vehicles to be loaded and unloaded off the public highway so as to avoid:- (i) damage to amenity; (ii) prejudice to public safety and convenience, and (iii) interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway; 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

Comment Date: Fri 22 Sep 2023

The ED team has no strong view on this proposal, however, it is noted that this development is of a scale that may require the preparation, approval and delivery of an Employment and Skills Plan and as such a condition for this should be considered.