Agenda item

Planning application NBB/22CM010 Temporary upgrade of an existing agricultural access off Higham Lane, St Nicolas Park, Nuneaton, CV11 6GS

Documents in relation to this application can be found via the following link –

 

NBB/22CM010

 

Minutes:

Sally Panayi presented the report and provided an overview of the application, which related to the temporary upgrade of an existing agricultural access off Higham Lane, St Nicolas Park, Nuneaton CV11 6GS until March 2025. The application sought to grant approval and was subject to a number of conditions, which were outlined in the report to members.

 

Full details presented to the Committee included the following:

 

-        The application sought to widen an existing field access to facilitate construction work of a pipeline between the two sewage treatment works at Hinckley and Hartshill.

 

-          A 20 metre hardsurfaced haulroad would be constructed as permitted development.

 

-         HGV movements would be limited to 24 per day. In addition traffic would include access for  personnel to the construction site.

 

-        The removal of a section of hedgerow was required to provide adequate sight lines for vehicles exiting the site. The hedgerow would be replanted following completion of the works. Details of the hedgerow replanting scheme had been submitted to the landscaping team at Warwickshire County Council since the publication of the agenda. Wording of a revised planning condition was recommended to require the hedgerow replanting in accordance with the agreed scheme.

Six letters of objection from local residents were received relating to the removal of the hedgerow and increase in number of vehicles. Representation was also made by the local member from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council objecting to the proposed no right turn into the proposed access. County Highways required a road safety audit to be prepared. Amended plans were submitted following the road safety audit removing the no right turn. The local member suggested  that the speed limit on this section of Higham Lane the site should be reduced from 40mph to 30mph; however given the site’s proximity to a roundabout it was not considered necessary. Wheel wash facilities would be on site with a dedicated jet wash operative to ensure vehicles were clean before leaving the site. There had been no objections raised by other statutory consultees. Sally Panayi said the proposed development was in accordance with local policies and with the NPPF.

 

QUESTIONS

 

Responding to Councillor Adrian Warwick, Sally Panayi said traffic accessing the site would be expected to enter via the A5 and not travel further along Higham Lane. Maxwell Griffin, the agent, said there was a routing plan included as part of the construction plan that indicated construction traffic would travel via the A5 to enter and exit the temporary access on Higham Lane. Councillor Warwick asked for this route to be included within the condition.

 

DEBATE

 

The recommendation to approve was proposed by Councillor Adrian Warwick and seconded by Councillor John Cooke.

 

A vote was held on the recommendation to approve. Nine members voted in favour in approval and there was one abstention.

 

Resolved

That the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission for the temporary upgrade of an existing agricultural access off Higham Lane, St Nicolas Park, Nuneaton subject to the conditions and for the reasons contained within Appendix B of the report of the Strategic Director for Communities. This was also subject to an amendment to Condition 3 to state that Heavy Commercial Vehicles are required to approach and leave the site via the A5 and may not turn right on exiting the site. Additionally, Condition 4 was amended from a pre-commencement condition to a condition stating;  The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the ADAS BNG Mitigation Planting: Access 12a drawing no: 1120048_ADAS_XX_XX_X3007 Issue 3 before the end of the first available planting season following practical completion of the development hereby permitted. Any plants that are removed, die or become seriously damaged or defective within five years of planting shall be replaced with specimens of a similar size and species as originally required. Reason: In order to comply with accordance with NPPF, ODPM Circular 2005/06.

Supporting documents: