Agenda item

            The Senior Planning officer presented the key aspects of the application to the Committee.

He outlined the key issues which had been considered during the assessment of the proposal, which included:

·        the principle of a major foodstore at the location;

·        the economic impact of the proposal;

·        design and layout considerations;

·        impact on amenity / character of the area;

·        impact on transport and other infrastructure;

·        impact on natural environment;

·        impact on flooding and drainage; and

·        developer contributions

He advised the Committee that the Local Development Plan team had reviewed the supporting information and had no objections to the proposal on the basis that the existing store would be replaced.  They were satisfied that the proposal met the sequential test, would not prejudice protected centres, or result in an unacceptable cumulative impact. He added that conditions were necessary to allow the Council to retain control of the nature of retailing at the location.

The Members were advised that the design and layout of the development was acceptable and adequately respected the existing context in terms of building locations and set-backs. The Senior Planning officer explained that the landscaped areas would positively contribute to local townscape and assist in mitigating the visual impact of hard-surfacing of the site.

            He reported that the retaining wall would be screened by vegetation which would mitigate the visual impacts of the structure.   He clarified that a condition was necessary to verify that the structural engineering solution had been completed to an appropriate standard by a suitably qualified structural engineer in order to protect public safety and amenity.

            The Committee’s attention was drawn to the Late items pack, where Environmental Health and NI Water had since responded with no objections subject to conditions and/or informatives. The Senior Planning officer advised that the responses could be viewed on the Planning Portal.  He explained that Conditions 2 and 3 within the Case officer’s report were therefore superseded by the conditions listed on the Environmental Health response, apart from the operating and delivery hours which would remain as stated in the report at 9.58 to further mitigate potential noise impacts.

The Committee was advised that it was considered that the proposal would not result in any detriment to amenity of existing properties adjacent to the site. He reported that the building would be located a sufficient distance from neighbouring buildings to prevent dominance and overshadowing. The Members were advised that noise impacts would also be mitigated through the siting of the building which would screen traffic noise from the parking area to neighbouring properties to the north, and separation distances to properties opposite the site.

The Committee was advised that DFI Roads had been consulted and it was satisfied with the parking and access arrangements.

He explained that the Council’s Economic Development Unit had identified the need for a Developer Contribution towards Employability and Skills in relation to the construction phase of the development, which would be secured through a Section 76 planning agreement.

He advised the Committee that no other consultees had any objections to the application in relation to technical, amenity, or other issues and that no third party objections had been received.

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. D. Monaghan, agent, to the meeting.  He advised the Committee that:

·        the scheme represented an investment of over £4million;

·        it would support 35 jobs, 13 of which would be new jobs at the site;

·        it would significantly enhanced the appearance of the site; and

·        it would create a much improved shopping experience for customers.

            A Member requested information pertaining to the number of car parking spaces on site and how the application would encourage access by more active and sustainable modes of transport.

            In response, Mr. Monaghan advised that 134 car parking spaces would be provided, which was lower than Lidl’s usual store car parks.  He advised that that was because the site was on an arterial route, with a bus stop adjacent to it and a pedestrian crossing across the Shore Road right at the access to the site.  The Members were also advised that there would be 10 bicycle spaces at the front door of the store.  In response to a follow up question, Mr. Monaghan confirmed to the Committee that it represented an increase of 60 car parking spaces on site.

            A number of Members expressed concern with the current traffic levels in the area and with the consultation response from DFI Roads.  Mr Monaghan confirmed that a traffic assessment had been carried out which showed that the proposed access would operate within capacity and would not have an adverse impact on any junctions in the area.  He explained that both DFI Roads and Translink had confirmed that they were content with the proposal.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions and a Section 76 Planning Agreement, with delegated authority given to the Director to secure the employability and skills Developer Contribution and to finalise the wording of conditions and to enter into a Section 76 Planning Agreement to the Committee.

            On a vote, twelve Members voted for the recommendation, and two no votes, and it was declared carried.

(Councillor Whyte left the meeting at this point in proceedings)

(The Committee adjourned for a ten minute recess at this point in proceedings)