Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Tue 28 May 2024

Consultation Date: Tue 28 May 2024

Consultation Date: Tue 28 May 2024

Consultation Date: Tue 28 May 2024

Consultation Date: Tue 28 May 2024

Comment Date: Tue 18 Jun 2024

Land Adj Millstones EDG24.001.FRSR-026.pdf

Comment Date: Fri 07 Jun 2024

951112 Consultation Response 2.pdf

Comment Date: Mon 03 Jun 2024

Plymouth City Council
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

Transport Planning Team
Ext: 01752 307813
Date: 3rd June 2024
Macauley Potter
Development Management
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure
Floor 2
Ballard House

Dear Macauley

Highway Authority Consultation Response to a Planning Application


APPLICATION NO: 24/00628/FUL

SITE: LAND ADJACENT TO MILLSTONES, TAVISTOCK ROAD, PLYMOUTH

DEVELOPMENT: Erection of one dwelling


Observations:

Comparing the site layout plan submitted for this application with that provided as part of the package of plans for the previous submission (app no 23/00755/FUL), it would appear that very little has changed in terms of addressing the highway concerns relating to on-site turning and impact of the scheme upon the WTTG Highway Improvement Scheme.

As stated previously, Tavistock Road is a classified road which carries considerable volumes of traffic both throughout the daytime and into the evenings and therefore it is essential that vehicles are able to enter and exit the site in a forward gear. Whilst the applicant has suggested that it would be possible to provide sufficient on-site turning, the narrow width of the site makes this an extremely difficult manoeuvre (particularly for a larger than average vehicle such as an estate car).

I note from the plans that the applicant is no longer proposing a continuous dropped kerb along the entire frontage of the development. Whilst this does address some of the concerns raised in the response of the LHA in respect of the previous application, it still does not address the issue of on-site turning provision (and the adequacy of such).

The likelihood of vehicles needing to right turn into the site off the A386 would be likely to cause congestion as right turning vehicles wait for a suitable gap in the heavy on-coming traffic. Such a situation is also likely to lead to increased potential for shunt-type accidents to occur on Tavistock Road such are the heavy volumes of traffic that use this route. This is another area of concern.

In addition to the concerns regarding access, the scheme does not take into account the land required for the delivery of the WTTG Highway Improvement Scheme as mentioned above. The applicant has been advised by PCC on the extent of land required for the scheme which measures 8.8m from the back edge of the existing footway, into the site. This excludes a further 4.2m of temporary working space. Applying these dimensions to the layout plan provided would result in the loss of almost 2/3rds of the parking/turning area at the front of the property.

Finally, it is acknowledged that a fence has now been provided between the existing path which runs alongside the site and the proposed car parking area serving the property. However, this change has led to the width of the existing path being reduced to the detriment of those pedestrians who currently use this route. The narrowing of the existing pedestrian route is something that is not supported by the LHA.

In view of the comments made above I would have to recommend this application for refusal for the reasons stated below.

Recommendation:

The Highway Authority recommends that planning permission should be refused for the following reasons:

Additional Traffic Movements giving rise to Highway Safety Concerns
The development hereby proposed is likely to lead to an increase in the number of vehicular movements taking place at and in the vicinity of the application site. The Local Planning Authority considers that the increase in vehicular movements arising from the development would give 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 would be contrary to Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP (March 2019) and Paragraphs 108-110 of the NPPF Feb 2019.

Prejudice to Highway Improvement Scheme
The proposed development encroaches onto land identified for the future widening of the A386 as part of the Woolwell to The George Highway Improvement Scheme which is required in order to bring forward capacity and safety improvements on the local road network. The development is therefore contrary to Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan adopted March 2019 and paragraph 109 of the NPPF.


Scott Smy
Transport Development Coordinator

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