Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Tue 19 Dec 2023

Plymouth City Council
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

Transport Planning Team
Ext: 01752 307813
Date: 19th December 2023
Joanna Churchill
Development Management
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure
Floor 2
Ballard House

Dear Joanna

Highway Authority Consultation Response to a Planning Application


APPLICATION NO: 23/01611/FUL

SITE: 78 FURZEHATT ROAD, PLYMOUTH

DEVELOPMENT: Extended existing wall out by 3000mm to allow for off road parking and charging points for EVs


Observations:

The LHA have a fundamental concern in respect of this application and that relates to encroaching onto land that is currently Highway Maintainable at Public Expense (HMPE).

The existing adopted verge along the frontage of this (and neighbouring properties) adjacent to Furzehatt Road provides a corridor within which statutory undertakers can provide their services. It also more importantly provides visibility (looking to the north) for vehicles emerging from the junction of Dolphin Court Road onto Furzehatt Road as well as inter-visibility for vehicles emerging from the driveways of neighbouring properties onto the public highway.

Whilst subject to a 30mph speed limit, this section of Furzehatt Road is quite wide and downhill for vehicles travelling in a south westerly direction. This is likely to lead to vehicle speeds being close to or even above the current 30 mph speed limit. Therefore, the inter-visibility provided by the existing grass verge plays an important role in terms of facilitating safe entry and exit onto this road. It is for these reasons why the LHA would not want to see any development encroaching onto this area.

In view of these concerns that the impact that the development would have upon inter-visibility and associated potential highway safety concerns, I would have to recommend this application for refusal for the reason stated below:

Recommendation:
The Highway Authority recommends that planning permission should be refused for the following reason:-

Impact upon Existing Visibility
The creation of the extended area of car parking at the front of the property will impact upon an existing area of HMPE which performs an important function in terms of providing visibility for vehicles emerging from both private points of access onto Furzehatt Road as well as vehicles emerging from the junction of Furzehatt Road with Dolphin Court Road. The lack of such visibility splays would lead to potential conflicts occurring between vehicles emerging from these access points/junctions and those travelling along the adjoining public highway giving rise to conditions likely to cause:
(a) Prejudice to public safety;
(b) Interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway;
(c) Unwarranted hazard to vehicular traffic
which is contrary to Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP (March 2019) and Paragraph 108 of the NPPF Feb 2019.



Scott Smy
Transport Development Coordinator

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