Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Mon 03 Mar 2025

Consultation Date: Mon 03 Mar 2025

Comment Date: Thu 27 Mar 2025

2401525FUL Strode Business Park.pdf

Comment Date: Thu 27 Mar 2025

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR A PLANNING APPLICATION.

APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 24/01525/FUL
ADDRESS: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Strode Business Park Plympton Plymouth PL7 4AY.
DESCRIPTION: Extension to offices for vehicle rental premises. Removal of existing/erection of new wash bay.

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: 27th March 2025

COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) is currently unable to support this proposal for the extension to the offices of the vehicle rental premises, along with the provision of a new vehicle (car) wash bay (to replace the existing) at the application site.

A previous associated planning consent, under application 23/01472/Ful, granted planning permission for a new commercial vehicular access (entrance /exit) from Lister Close to serve the Enterprise Car and Van Facility. Although it is apparently accepted the planning consent itself would not afford a lawful right of access across the private grass verge that is outside the site boundary (and the red line), or across the public footway. Where to create a new commercial vehicle entrance into the site, the applicant would need to acquire, access rights over the grass verge that is apparently understood to be in the ownership of the Council as a private landlord, along with a permit from the Councils 'Highways' team for the commercial footway crossing.

Furthermore, there is a difference between the ground level of the site, and the street where the proposed new commercial access would be created in Lister close, which does not appear to have been considered as part of the previous consent. But for which details of ground levels both existing, and proposed, must be provided on a cross-section drawing to show how the ground levels would be adjusted to provide a safe and acceptable commercial access to and from the site in Lister Close. It should incidentally be noted that the public highway (lowered footway width) must continue to fall toward and shed any surface water onto the carriageway in Lister Close.

The safety of the proposed new consented commercial vehicle access entrance/exit in Lister Close, has been considered in the 'Highway Technical Note' (HTN) of the previous associated planning consent (under application 23/01472/FUL). The details show the new access as a junction type entrance/exit, with a 6m wide entrance road and with 6 metre corner radii. Confirming the arrangement of the new commercial entrance/exit would be safe in its use and sufficiently displaced from the junction of Strode Road to provide adequate inter and forward visibility. The new junction style commercial vehicle entrance/exit is also shown on the application drawing titled 'Visibility Splays'. Located between the existing Telephone Box, and the 'Lister Close Industrial Estate' sign information board, where forward and inter visibility must be preserved in accordance with the consent.

The application details indicate the number of car parking spaces, as shown on the application 'Parking Layout drawing', would remain unchanged with twenty-eight spaces for cars (including two Car Club spaces), plus six spaces for Light Goods Vehicles, and one disability space. Which is considered satisfactory for what is an established use, although it would be helpful if supporting information on the daily parking demand of the business could be provided.

The application apparently makes no provision for either Cycle Parking, or Electric Vehicle Charging points, but both are expected to be provided as part of this proposal to encourage more sustainable travel and reduce carbon emissions, as set-out within Section 8 of the Councils SPD, with a requirement for appropriate further details to be submitted to the LPA.

SUMMARY:
The LHA currently recommends the application is refused due to insufficient and missing details as considered above - Lack of Cycle Parking, and Electric Vehicle Charging Points ' The need to demonstrate that ground levels could be adjusted to allow appropriate gradients to form the new entrance/exit bell-mouth access within the site and the public realm ' Along with the need to demonstrate lawful rights of access over the grass verge outside the application prior to any highway permit being issued or any work starting on the new commercial vehicle crossing access/junction: -

INSUFICIENT DETAILS:
() Insufficient details have been provided relating to - Lack of Cycle Parking, and Electric Vehicle Charging Points ' The need to demonstrate that ground levels could be adjusted to allow appropriate gradients to form the new entrance/exit bell-mouth access within the site and the public realm ' Along with the need to demonstrate lawful right of access over the grass verge outside the application site prior to any highway permit being issued or any work starting on the new commercial vehicle crossing access/junction.

Reason:
To ensure that these further details are acceptable to the Local Planning Authority and that they are in keeping with the standards of the vicinity in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.


INFORMATIVE: KERB LOWERING (New commercial Vehicle Entrance/Exit)
() The previously consented (under application 23/01472/FUL) proposed commercial vehicle footway crossing needed to form the new vehicle entrance/exit in Lister Close, would require separate consent from the Local Highway Authority Network Managers prior to any work starting, the applicant would need to contact Plymouth Highways for the necessary approval: - e-mail: highways @plymouth.gov.uk. Precise details of all works within the public highway (including demonstrating any necessary rights of access) must be agreed with the Highway Authority


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

Comment Date: Fri 21 Mar 2025

LLFA consultation response 24.01525.FUL.pdf