Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meetings of 21st and 23rd January were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd February, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            Alderman Rodgers declared in an interest in Item 5a, namely LA04/2018/0471/F - Upgrading of playing fields to include 2 new 3G pitch surfaces and 1 grass pitch, floodlights, fencing, dug outs, 1No. 200 seater stand, toilet blocks, turnstiles, additional car parking and associated ground at the Boys Brigade Recreation Centre, 108 Belvoir Drive, in that he was the Honorary President of the Belfast Battalion of the Boys Brigade.  He left the room for the duration of the item and did not participate in the vote.

            Councillor Brooks declared an interest in the same item, in that he was a season ticket holder at Linfield Football Club, while the project was a BB-led initiative, Linfield FC had a role in it.  He left the room during the item and did not participate in the vote.

1.     LA04/2019/2850/F: Extensions to existing aerospace manufacturing facility and associated site works to include internal access road , replacement car parking, drainage and existing access onto Heron Road at Bombardier Wing Manufacturing and assembly Facility Airport Road West

2.     LA04/2019/2810/F: Titanic Quarter eastern access road including new signalised junction on Sydenham Road and associated works at lands to the south and east of Belfast Metropolitan College east of Public Records Office of NI north of Sydenham Road west of Cuming Road and south of Hamilton Road Titanic Quarter

3.     LA04/2019/2387/F: Residential development comprising 151 apartments and ancillary uses, associated car parking and public realm improvements to Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street on land adjacent to Quay Gate House 15 Scrabo Street; and

4.     LA04/2019/2299/F: Demolition of existing property and re-development of the site including the provision of approximately 243,000sqft gross build floorspace comprising class B1 (a) office on 6 levels over active ground floor uses including retail (A1), restaurants, cafes and bars (sui generis) with a hotel of 174 bedrooms over ground plus 7 levels and associated double deck carparking of 62 spaces and related access for the redevelopment at 1-7 Fountain Street 24-40 Castle Street and 6-8 Queen Street

            In response to a suggestion from the Planning Manager (Development Management) relating to a number of major planning applications which were due to be considered by the Committee over the next few months, the Committee agreed to undertake pre-emptive site visits to the following four sites:

·        LA04/2019/2850/F - Extensions to existing aerospace manufacturing facility and associated site works to include internal access road , replacement car parking, drainage and existing access onto Heron Road at Bombardier Wing Manufacturing and assembly Facility Airport Road West Belfast BT3 9ED;

·        LA04/2019/2810/F - Titanic Quarter eastern access road including new signalised junction on Sydenham Road and associated works at lands to the south and east of Belfast Metropolitan College east of Public Records Office of NI north of Sydenham Road west of Cuming Road and south of Hamilton Road Titanic Quarter Belfast;

·        LA04/2019/2387/F - Residential development comprising 151 apartments and ancillary uses including; management suite, communal space, reception area and servicing (refuse/recycling/bicycle storage) and plant equipment; and associated car parking and public realm improvements to Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street at Land adjacent to Quay Gate House 15 Scrabo Street Belfast BT5 4D: footpaths and public realm at Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street; and

·        LA04/2019/2299/F - Demolition of existing property and re-development of the site including the provision of approximately 243,000sqft gross build floorspace comprising class B1 (a0 office on 6 levels over active ground floor uses including retail (A1), restaurants, cafes and bars (sui generis) with a hotel of 174 bedrooms over ground plus 7 levels and associated double deck carparking of 62 spaces and related access for the redevelopment at 1-7 Fountain Street 24-40 Castle Street and 6-8 Queen Street Belfast.

            The Committee noted the receipt of correspondence in respect of a number of planning appeals which had been submitted to the Planning Appeals Commission, together with the outcomes of a range of hearings which had been considered by the Commission.

            The Committee noted a list of decisions which had been taken under the delegated authority of the Director of Planning and Building Control, together with all other planning decisions which had been issued by the Planning Department between 7th January and 3rd February 2020.

            The Planning Manager (Development Management) provided the Committee with a detailed overview of the Planning Service’s performance from 1st April to 31st December, 2019.  He explained that the report provided statistics on the progress across the three statutory targets for major development applications, local development applications and enforcement cases.  It also provided information relating to performance against the Council’s corporate targets.

            The Committee was advised that a total of 2,153 valid applications had been received between 1st April and 31st December 2019, which was a 15% increase compared to the same period for the previous year.  He outlined that the number of local applications received had reduced by 8% while the number of major applications had increased by 20%.  He highlighted to the Committee that “other development”, such as Certificates of Lawful Use Development and Discharge of Condition applications, were not included in statutory performance targets but currently made up 42% of applications received.  He explained that applications such as Discharge of Conditions, had increased by 38% from the previous year and did not attract a fee.  He advised the Members that officers would continue to appeal to the Department regarding the requirement for a fee for the work associated with those applications.

            He advised the Committee that approvals had been granted for over 1,300 residential units, 5 outdoor leisure facilities and 440 house-holder applications.  He highlighted that the number of major decisions which had been issued had doubled and that the overall number of decisions issued had increased by 13%.  The Members were advised that 93% of applications were approved. 

            In relation to enforcement, he advised the Members that 51% of cases had been resolved and that the Enforcement team had exceeded their targets by 23%.

            The Committee was reminded that the statutory target for major applications was that they should be processed within an average of 30 weeks.  The Planning Manager highlighted to the Members that the average processing time for major applications had almost halved from the previous year, from 78 weeks in 2018, to 37 weeks in 2019.  He advised that the statutory target for processing local applications was 15 weeks and that they had been processed in 13.8 weeks in 2019, compared with 15.2 weeks in 2018.

            A Member stated that he wished to put on record his thanks to the Planning Service for the steady progress which had been made in terms of meeting the targets.

            The Planning Manager advised the Committee that performance would continue to be closely monitored.

Noted.

            The Planning Manager (Development Management) provided the Committee with the following revised schedule of Workshops for the Thursday sessions between March 2020 and May 2021:

            He explained that Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Workshops were included which were important in supporting the implementation of the operational policies in the draft Local Development Plan, Plan Strategy. The SPG topics included affordable housing, the evening economy, viability, sensitive uses, householder (design guidance), waste, residential design, flooding, urban design, sustainable drainage systems and employment land supply.

            The Members were advised that the updated training programme proposed that performance and improvement workshops be undertaken bi-annually rather than quarterly, with quarterly performance reports circulated by email.

            The Committee was advised that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) had confirmed its attendance at a Special Transport Workshop, which would take place on Monday, 16th March at 5 p.m.  The Members were asked to provide officers with any specific areas which they would like the DfI representatives to cover at the Workshop.

            The Committee noted the update which had been provided.

            (Alderman Rodgers and Councillor Brooks declared an interest and left the room at this point.)

            The Principal Planning Officer provided the Committee with an overview of the details of the major application for the upgrading of facilities within an existing playing field off Belvoir Drive in the south of the City.

            He outlined the key issues which were considered during the assessment of the application, including the principle of the development, the visual impacts of the proposal, the impact on the amenity and character of the area, impact on the natural environment and heritage and flood risk.

            He explained to the Members that, while the proposal would result in the reduction of playing pitches from 5 to 3 within the site, there would be no net loss of open/recreational space, as larger full-size pitches were proposed.  He advised the Committee that, should the applicant wish to reduce the number of pitches available, they could so do without planning permission as it did not involve a material change of use of the land.

            The Committee was advised that the proposal would not adversely impact on amenity, traffic, heritage assets or flooding and that the proposed scale, form and massing were acceptable and would not impact on the local character of the area.  The Planning officer explained that access to the park would be unaffected by the proposals.

            He reported that DfI Roads, HED, NI Water and Rivers Agency had no objections to the proposal.

            He drew the Committee’s attention to the Late Items Pack, where the Natural Environment Division (NED) had submitted its consultation response on 7th February.  NED had expressed concerns regarding the designated Belvoir Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), the proposed felling of ancient oak trees, the potential use of herbicides, parking and bats.  He explained to the Committee that the applicant had agreed that all ancient oak trees would now be retained, that herbicide would be precluded within the Root Protection Zone (RPZ), by condition, that DfI Roads were content with the parking provision and that floodlighting would only be used between October and April, and that no impact on bats was likely.  The officers advised that they would provide NED with clarification that the ancient oak trees were being retained and that works within the RPZ would be conditioned to prevent damage to the tree roots.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the proposed works within the Root Protection Zones, the Principal Planning officer explained that officers felt that the minor works which were required to be carried out could be dealt with through conditions or a through a construction method statement.

            The Committee was advised that the Tree Officer had recommended that canopy works be carried out to reduce the weight of the older trees.

            The Members were provided with a detailed light spill analysis diagram which illustrated that no residential properties would be affected by the proposed floodlighting.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8a

            The Principal Planning officer outlined the details of the application to vary a technical condition, 11 (b) of a previous approval, namely, LA04/2016/2385/F, for purpose built student accommodation comprising 717 beds.

            He explained that the variation of the condition related to a technical point regarding the sound levels within the building, where the 45dB LAmax should not be exceeded for more than 15 sound events between 23:00 and 07:00 hrs.

            He outlined to the Committee that Environmental Health had no objections to the revision and that no other objections had been received.

            The Committee was reminded that, as the original approval had been granted with a Section 76 Legal Agreement, if the variation was granted, an updated Agreement would have to be agreed to reflect the change.

            The Chairperson advised the Members that Ms. E. Walker, agent, was in attendance to answer any questions from Members.

            In response to a Member’s query as to why up to 15 sound events would be permitted, Ms. Walker explained that they had a noise consultant on their team and they had examined other similar properties. She advised the Members that the current condition did not take account the reality of passing ambulances or fire engines which would pass the building and register a sound above 45dB.  She emphasised that Environmental Health was content with the proposed variation.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, noting that an updated Section 76 Legal Agreement would be drawn up.

            The Principal Planning Officer provided the Committee with an overview of the details of the application for the change of use from a warehouse and office to an event space.

            She advised the Members that the application was in front of Members as it included a right of way, as an emergency exit, through a Council-owned car park to the west of the site.  She explained that a temporary licence had been granted to accommodate the escape route but that it was only on a temporary basis given the long term redevelopment opportunity of the land.

            She outlined the key issues in the assessment of the development were the principle of an event space at that location and the impact on amenity, traffic flow, parking and on the Conservation Area.

            The Committee was advised that the proposed change of use was compliant with relevant policy and was therefore acceptable, subject to conditions.

            The Principal Planning Officer advised the Members that NI Water, DfI Roads, BCC Estates and Environmental Health had all been consulted and had no objections subject to conditions.

            One objection had been received, raising issues with noise and outdoor smoking and she explained that the issues had been covered within the Case officer’s report.

            The Committee’s attention was drawn to the Late Items Pack, where the agent had requested that the temporary approval be granted for three years.  The Principal Planning Officer advised the Members that the agent had advised that three years, instead of two, would allow the operator sufficient time to carry out the internal set up works as well as a realistic timeframe to book future events and would also ensure the marketability of the site which required a calendar of events.

            The Committee was advised that an Event Management Plan (EMP) had not yet been provided and it was therefore recommended that a condition be attached requiring that an EMP be submitted and agreed in writing, prior to the approved use becoming operational.

            The Committee granted a temporary approval of three years to the application, subject to the conditions in the Case officer’s report, and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.

            The Principal Planning Officer outlined the details of a Belfast City Council application for an amended access to the Forthriver Industrial Estate from Woodvale Avenue. 

            She explained that the proposed gates measured 2.5metres high with new paladin fencing on either side of the entrance gates at the same height.

            The Committee was advised that the proposed access would help create and enhance shared space by providing greater connectivity to the Estate for residents from the Woodvale area.  She reported that the proposed access was considered to support the good design paragraphs within the SPPS, as it would make a positive use of the assets of the site.

            In response to a Member’s question, the Principal Planning Officer advised that the access would be a secondary access to the site.

            The Members were advised that no third party representations had been received and that DfI Roads had been consulted and had offered no objection to the proposal.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, with Delegated Authority given to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions.

(Councillor McKeown left the meeting at this point)

            The Committee was provided with the key aspects of the application from Belfast City Council.

            The Principal Planning Officer outlined that the key issues in the assessment of the development included the proposed crèche use, height, scale, massing, layout and design, impact on the proposed Area of Townscape Character, impact on the residential amenity of neighbours and parking provision.

            She advised the Committee that the applicant had engaged in a Pre-Application Discussion (PAD) in 2019 and that feedback had been provided to the agent and applicant.

            The Members were advised that the principle of a new community centre was acceptable and that a new crèche would enable the relocation of an existing crèche on the Newtownards Road.  The Principal Planning Officer outlined that the contemporary design was considered to be sympathetic and complementary to the area and sat comfortably with the surrounding properties.  It was considered that the proposal would not detrimentally impact on the character or appearance of the proposed Area of Townscape Character.

            The Committee was advised that Rivers Agency and NIEA had offered no objection to the proposals.

            The Principal Planning Officer drew the Members’ attention to the Late Items Pack.  She explained that Environmental Health had requested the submission of a Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment and details of proposed odour extraction and ventilation systems.  She explained that, following receipt of this information, Environmental Health had since responded to the consultation with no objection to the proposal subject to conditions.

            The Committee was advised that, while the site was considered to be in a highly accessible location, a Travel Plan had been requested by DfI Roads.  The Planning officer explained that, upon receipt of the information, DfI Roads would be consulted again and that additional conditions would be imposed if necessary.

            The Members noted that no representations had been received.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.