Agenda item

Construction of new single storey fire station with access from A308 Staines Road West, incorporating two double appliance bays, dormitories with ancillary facilities, office accommodation, operational areas and store rooms; drill tower and smoke house; proposed hard standing for training, car parking and refuelling point for appliances; associated generator and oil storage tank; retention of existing rail timber fencing on north and eastern boundary of the site and the erection of 3m high acoustic fencing on the south, west and part of the northern boundaries.

It is recommended that:

1.         Pursuant to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, application no. SP15/01590/SCC be forwarded to the Secretary of State and

2.         In the absence of any direction by him and pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, the application be PERMITTED subject to the following conditions

Declarations of Interest:

Mr Ian Beardsmore declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in that this issue had been raised at Spelthorne Council meetings and he was also a Member of the Fire and Rescue Advisory Group.  He had sought advice and would remain and take part in the meeting.

Mr Richard Wilson declared a Non Pecuniary interest in that he was also a Member of the Fire and Rescue Advisory Group.

Officers:

Alan Stones, Planning Development and Control Team Manager

Alex Sanders, Principal Planning Officer

Nancy El-Shatoury, Principal Solicitor

Caroline Smith, Transportation Development Planning Team Manager

Scott Dickson, Transportation DevelopmentPlanning Officer

Speakers:

No one had requested to speak on this item.

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Planning Officer introduced the report and the update sheet tabled at the meeting and appended to these minutes. A revised Noise Impact Assessment had been submitted with further information which could allow for training to take place in the evenings. Condition 24 was therefore amended to reflect this.  Additional noise conditions were also added in order to further protect residential amenity.

2.    Several Members raised concerns about access to the site for pedestrians and vehicles.  It was questioned whether there should be a formal crossing on the A308 at the roundabout and that Spelthorne Local Committee may wish to look at this.  Members also requested that access to the site via the Thames Water access road be secured legally before any works take place. The Planning Officer undertook to add a condition. In response to concerns raised about the right hand turn and potential illegal access of the site, the Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the condition requiring the applicant to provide an access management plan and the highways officer stated that it might be possible to design the gap to make it difficult to make an illegal right turn. 

3.    A few Members raised issues of increased standing water and flooding at this site and questioned future flood proofing of the area and any proposals to mitigate this.  The Planning Officer highlighted the areas where permeable materials would be used and reported that the Environment Agency advised that the station would not exacerbate the standing water issue.  There would be a drainage strategy in place and a condition could be placed to ensure the access was designed with drainage to prevent water getting onto the highway. With regards to future safeguarding against flooding the Planning Officer stated that the authority took advice from the Environment Agency. She explained that the recommended condition reflected the lowest floor level acceptable to the Agency, while the actual proposed floor level in the scheme was higher than that. Members also requested that Condition 18 be strengthened to set the finished floor level at 14.20AOD, the proposed level

4.    Members requested that condition 9 be strengthened and should state that a minimum of seven trees be replanted.

5.    A Member raised concerns about noise for the staff in the station to which the Planning Officer responded that this would be dealt with by building regulations.

6.    In response to Members queries regarding archaeological finds both inside and outside of the trenches the Planning Officer reported that all finds needed to be recorded and made public. Under the terms of the agreed written scheme of archaeological investigation, The applicant was required to maintain communication with the archaeologist.

7.    In response to a Member query regarding riparian responsibilities the Planning Officer confirmed that Surrey County Council as the owner had riparian responsibilities and had to ensure clearance of the water way.

8.    In response to Member queries about the need for this station the Planning Officer explained that the current stations and their accommodation were not suitable for future use.

9.    The Planning Officer responded to a query regarding contamination saying that pre-commencement conditions would deal with this.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to referral to the Secretary of State, application no. SP15/01590/SCC be PERMITTED subject to the revised conditions and the reasons set out in the update sheet and the following;

That condition 9 be amended to state that a minimum of 7 trees would be planted.

That an additional condition be imposed to ensure that access to the site was designed with drainage to prevent water getting onto the highway.

Reason: To reduce possible standing water/flooding of highway and maintain good drainage.

That access to the site via the Thames Water access road be secured by a condition to development until a legal agreement was in place allowing access by way of the Thames Water access road.

Reason: To ensure that the development does not go ahead unless the access strategy to the site, limiting the use of right turns across the A308 dual carriageway, can be delivered

That condition 18 be amended to state that the finished floor level should be set no lower than 14.20AOD not 13.77AOD.

That an additional informative be added that the Spelthorne Local Committee be asked to look into the possibility of improving the pedestrian crossing at the A308 junction with the Ford Bridge roundabout.

Action/further information to be provided:

None