Sally Panayi, Planning Assistant presented the report to the Committee confirming that the application was for the provision of a gritter vehicle store (plus vehicle wash), salt dome and office building on land at Paynes Lane in Rugby for use by Warwickshire County Council’s Highways depot.

The Committee was shown a detailed presentation which included the location of the proposed car park, salt dome and details of a willow tree which would need to be removed should permission be granted.

The Committee noted that a condition had been added to the application for additional tree protection fencing to be used.  Officers felt that the current fencing may not be adequate during the construction phase.

The following points were noted by the Committee –

• There is no landscaping scheme within the application.  Officers stated that the current planting on site is still young and is health and growing well.  In time this would provide enough screening of the site and the addition of extra landscaping may damage what is already on site.

• Should the application be approved, construction would have no impact on the public footpath highlighted on the presentation to the Committee.

• There had been no objections received from Environmental Health

Following a question from Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince it was confirmed that due to the sui generis use of the site, the car parking facilities had been deemed to be appropriate; and would include one disabled parking space and two electric charging points.

Debate

Moving into debate, Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince stated that the application would be beneficial to the area and provide a proper use for the derelict site.

Scott Tompkins, Assistant Director for Environment Services confirmed to the Committee that should be permission be granted, Warwickshire County Council would be able to suspend gritting services in Dunchurch; the area currently in use is not suitable for the large HGV movement often at unsocial times of the day and night.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince and was seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick. A vote was held, and the Committee voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation to grant planning permission.