Issue - meetings

Variation of condition number 2 (approved plans) attached to planning permission reference number 19/00474/FPM to provide additional lifts, stair cores and amend balconies to provide metal balustrading.

It was RESOLVED: That the application 23/00239/FPM be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report.

The Committee considered a report in respect of application 22/00239/FPM seeking the variation of condition number 2 (approved plans) attached to planning permission reference number 19/00474/FPM to provide additional lifts, stair cores and amend balconies to provide metal balustrading.

The Development Manager gave a verbal presentation and noted that the application, also known as the Icon Site, was located close to the roundabout junction of Lytton Way and Fairlands Way. This was a redevelopment of the site and the construction of 7 apartment blocks with a communal garden area and external parking area.

The Development Manager informed the Committee there were new fire safety regulations under the building regulations which required two cores. This meant that there needed to be two sets of stairs and lifts, and therefore the developer had to expand some of the building to accommodate for this. There were also changes to the balconies which went from glass balustrading to metal in order to meet the new regulations.

The Development Manager reminded Members that the initial application 19/00474/FPM was appealed and granted in 2022 therefore if Members did refuse the applicant can still buildout the approval as it was registered under the previous fire regulations.

The Chair invited Colin Campbell of Hill Residential Ltd, a supporter, to address the Committee.

Mr Campbell informed Members that this application arose from the desire to meet the most up to date fire safety standards. The previous application anticipated some fire safety changes and met these, however there were more changes that were unforeseen at the time. The developer wanted this to be a responsible development that was future proofed and gave authorities and residents comfort in knowing it was safe. In buildings over 30m tall there was a requirement to incorporate two lift and stair cores and they had worked hard to minimise the impact. Four of the 7 blocks needed a slight adjustment which was a 1.3% increase on site and the layout had changes slightly to ensure symmetry but included minor changes. In addition to this, the 2023 regulation identified glazing on balconies as a combustible material so it was changed to metal.

The Chair thanked Mr Campbell for his contribution to the meeting.

A few Members raised concerns regarding the increase in building size. It was advised that the cores take up a lot of space and by adding in an additional core it would compromise the size of the flats. To ensure the flats still met the national space standards they had to increase the blocks to do that. There were no additional units, no change to the housing mix, no change to the bedroom numbers, and no change to the building height. The footprint isn’t changing, only the central area was increasing to facilitate the additional core. This would not impact any amenity space and the basement car parks had to be amended to meet the cores.

Another Member asked whether there was one entry to the site. It was advised that there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6