Agenda item - BH2024/00145 - Site Offices, Ground & First Floor, South Tennis Court, St Marys Hall, Eastern Road, Brighton - Full Planning

1.         The Planning team leader introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.         A resident addressed the committee and stated that they thankful for the conditions attached the report. The resident considered the privacy to be good, however, the repair of the structure was bad. The applicants were considered evasive and disrespectful and in breach of the existing planning permission. The applicant had taken over a year to come to the planning with an application. The committee were asked to enforce the breached conditions. The lighting on the site has changed several times, and the committee were asked to condition no extra lights and repair to take place within 5 days. Between 7am and 9am the junction onto Eastern Road was very busy with the dropping off of staff and refuse collections. Bollards on the corner of the site would be a good way to protect pedestrians at this point.

Answers to questions to the speaker from the committee Members

3.         Councillor Robinson was informed that there was security lighting on the site which stayed on all night on occasion and extra lights have been added over the last 9 years.

4.         Councillor Loughran was informed that the resident wanted a work start time of 7am.

5.         Councillor Hill was informed that the service road that meets Eastern Road was challenging in the morning between 7 and 9am.

6.         Councillor Theobald was informed that noise was an issue from refuse collections.

7.         Jonathan Steele addressed the committee as the applicant and stated that the strategic programme was managed for Brighton Trauma, Tertiary and Teaching (3Ts) redevelopment. The 3Ts project has strong support from the government with funding through till 2030 delivery. The structure allows co-ordination and organisation of building works. The applicant has worked with the council and if agreed, the applicant agreed to enhance the appearance of the structure. The applicant has attended community meetings. The committee were requested to support the application.

Answers to questions to the speaker from the committee Members

8.         Councillor Hill was informed by Sam Oguz (applicant) that the traffic access is established and is under constant review. It was noted that the bin store was not on the original plans submitted 9 years ago. Highways were consulted and did not object. It was noted that the waste collection could not be covered by a condition requiring a transport assessment featuring access.

9.         Councillor Robinson was informed that refuse trucks are able to access the site via side access adjoining Brighton College. The approach of the refuse trucks could be looked at. It was noted that the refuse bins were located to the rear of the structure, and the access road was exit only.

10.      Councillor Theobald was informed that the scaffolding was temporary, the repair of the listed wall was being looked at and signage to deter smokers on the stairwell was in place. The in-box from the public was constantly monitored. No extra lighting is being proposed and anything more would require planning permission.

11.      Councillor Galvin was informed by Sam Oguz that the netting was to protect neighbours and ‘no see’ netting was being looked into.

12.      Councillor Sheard was informed that the netting is for the ground floor to protect neighbours. The case officer noted that a 5-year planning permission would trump the 10-year policy on temporary buildings.

13.      Councillor Loughran was informed that the land to the rear of the site was owned by National Health Service (NHS). It was noted that a joint waste collection plan with the NHS was not possible as the waste was collected by a commercial provider. A start time of 6.30am was negotiated with 7am at weekends. It was also noted the lighting has malfunctioned and problems have been incurred.

14        Councillor Allen was informed that the welfare of the staff needed to be looked after and there was nowhere else on the main hospital site.

15.      Councillor Thomson was informed that the walkway with netting was for emergency exit only.

16.      Councillor Nann was informed that the stairs and walkway were fire escapes, and the designated smoking area was to the rear of the structure.

Debate

17.      Councillor Theobald considered 14 years was a long time for a temporary permission, however, it was also considered that the structure was useful for the hospital and the 3Ts project. The councillor considered the application was for a building much needed for the city.

18.      Councillor Hill requested a waste management plan.

19.      Councillor Allan considered it was good to hear progress, which is vital to the 3Ts project. The councillor supported the application.

20.      Councillor Sheard was glad to see progress was being made. The structure is temporary even though it has already stood for 9 years, this application will be 14 years. A long-time extension of time making the structure semi-permanent.

21.      Councillor Robinson considered the structure was needed for the ongoing works and was happy it was moving forward.

22.      Councillor Earthey considered the 3Ts work to be essential and therefore the structure was vital. The councillor supported the application.

23.      Councillor Loughran was informed that an informative to manage the waste collection was not weighty enough and a condition would be better.

24.      Councillor Hill proposed a condition to manage waste collections. The wording to be agreed by officers. Councillor Loughran seconded the motion.

Vote on proposed condition:

25.      A vote was taken, and the proposal was approved unanimously.

Vote on recommendation to approve:

26.      A vote was taken, and the recommendations were approved unanimously.

27.      RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives in the report.