Issue - meetings

To consider Hybrid Planning Application for a new Life Sciences Campus comprising full planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings, structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(ii) and (iii) and B2, with provision for Class E uses at ground, lower ground and upper ground/mezzanine floors) revised junction arrangement (A602 and Gunnels Wood Road) and alterations to the site layout to include new  car parking (including a multi storey car park), internal access and associated works (such as new utilities (including new substation), drainage and infrastructure hard and soft landscaping and introduction of sustainable transport facilities) and Outline planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings/structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(i) to (iii), B2 and B8, with provision for an ancillary auditorium, and Class E uses at ground floor) and Amenity Hub (Classes E and B2), provision of car parking (including multi storey car park(s)) and associated works (such as new access, utilities, drainage, infrastructure and hard and soft landscaping), with all matters reserved for subsequent approval.

It was RESOLVED that the application 23/00293/FPM be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report.

The Committee considered an application for a hybrid planning application for a new Life Sciences Campus comprising of full planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings, structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(ii) and (iii) and B2, with provision for Class E uses at ground, lower ground and upper ground/mezzanine floors) revised junction arrangement (A602 and Gunnels Wood Road) and alterations to the site layout to include new  car parking (including a multi storey car park), internal access and associated works (such as new utilities (including new substation), drainage and infrastructure hard and soft landscaping and introduction of sustainable transport facilities) and outline planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings/structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(i) to (iii), B2 and B8, with provision for an ancillary auditorium, and Class E uses at ground floor) and amenity hub (Classes E and B2), provision of car parking (including multi storey car park(s)) and associated works (such as new access, utilities, drainage, infrastructure and hard and soft landscaping), with all matters reserved for subsequent approval

The application was before the Committee for determination as it was a major application.

The Assistant Director Planning and Regulation gave an introduction to the Committee.   He advised that the application proposal would create a world class, life science campus which would provide state of the art laboratories and facilities and build on Stevenage’s existing reputation as a leading life science hub meeting the growing demand within the UK for new research and development opportunities in the sector.

Members were advised that the proposal would deliver a sustainable, connected and collaborative campus with a world class mix of life science spaces, bringing together a number of major regional, national and multinational companies.

The Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee that the application had been submitted in ‘hybrid’ form and sought detailed planning permission for the initial (Phase 1) suite of works and outline planning permission (with all matters reserved) for the remainder of the Masterplan.

In relation to car parking, the application proposed a total of up to 2,783 new car and motorcycle parking spaces, plus a further 362 spaces to be re-provided that currently existed on site.  ‘Meanwhile’ landscaping would also be carried out to provide a transitional surface level treatment ensuring the first phase of the Campus could become operational before the wider Masterplan was delivered.

The Chair then invited Will Rohleder, Development Director of Reef Group on behalf of the applicant, to address the Committee.  He began by thanking the SBC Planning Team for their work during the pre-application process which had resulted in a number of improvements to the scheme. 

The Committee was informed that the GSK Campus was already an established and successful operation, including the CGT Catapult and the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and it was hoped that the application would build upon this success.  The proposed development would also operate in conjunction with Autolus and the recently approved science/retail scheme ‘The Assembly’ at the Forum in Stevenage Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2