Agenda item

[NOTE: In accordance with the procedure for public speaking at Planning Committee, Ms Sharon Emery attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application and Mr Paul Uttley spoke in support.]

The Committee considered a change of use of existing detached garage and garden land to the rear of No.41-43 Eve Road to vehicle maintenance and repair use (Use Class B2) and associated hardstanding and fencing.

Councillor T Aziz, Ward Councillor, commented that he understood the resident’s concerns regarding parking and that the public speaker had raised some valid points. The Ward Councillor explained that he had called the item to the Committee for fairness and to allow them to discuss it in more detail. Councillor T Aziz commented that there had been issues with parking on Eve Road and Arnold Road for some time, but that there were now plans for a new CPZ to be installed on these roads which it was thought would solve these issues. He thought that the applicant had overcome the previous issues for refusal and once the CPZ comes into force, no business would be able to park on this road anyway.

The Planning Officer commented that the new CPZ was not in affect now and the application must be determined on the current situation. It was noted that this application would still displace existing off street parking, regardless of the CPZ. Following a question the Planning Officer explained that this application would see a loss of land a numbers 41-43 which was currently used for vehicle parking, which would put added pressure on Eve Road and Arnold Road.

Members asked for further clarification on the potential noise impact and it was explained that residential gardens directly adjoined the site, so a commercial garage would be operating immediately adjacent to these and despite the acoustic fence, there would still be an impact.

Some Members commented that the application was almost the same to that which had been previously refused by the Committee and that the reasons for refusal had not been addressed.

The Chairman questioned whether the land at 41-43 Eve Road was garden land or parking spaces. The Planning Officer confirmed that this was hardstanding and that there was a number of gated accesses on this road that allowed off street parking.

It was questioned why Surrey County Council had not objected to the application and the Planning Officer explained that they often considered the highway implications on safety grounds whereas we look at our own parking standards and take other aspects into account and on this occasions our view was contrary to theirs.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on the recommendation.  The votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs A Boote, J Brown, S Dorsett, D Hughes, N Martin, C Rana and D Roberts.

                                 TOTAL:  7

Against:                              None

                                 TOTAL:  0

Present but not voting:      Cllrs L Morales (Chairman) and T Aziz.

                                 TOTAL:  2

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be REFUSED.