Item 8 DC23 149 FUL
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 March 2024
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 27 March 2024 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Council: 27th March 2024 _____________________________________________________________ DC23/149/FUL: Erection of 128 residential homes, associated roads, infrastructure and open space on existing brownfield site, Residential Development Site, Abbotsford Road, Clydebank by Miller Homes. 1. REASON FOR REPORT 1.1 This report relates to a planning application for a national development and as the application site sits within the Clyde Mission area as set out in National Planning Framework 4. There is a statutory requirement for applications of this nature to be determined by the full Council. 2 RECOMMENDATION 2.1 That the Council approve planning permission subject to the conditions set out in Section 9 of Appendix 1 report and the additional condition detailed in Section 4.5 of this report. 3 BACKGROUND 3.1 Planning permission is sought for the construction of one hundred and twenty eight houses and associated works. The planning application is a national development as set out in the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 as the application site sits within the Clyde Mission area as set out in National Planning Framework 4. Under the terms of Section 38A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended), such applications require a pre- determination hearing, and other legislation requires that such applications be determined by the full Council. In accordance with the Council’s procedures, a pre-determination hearing took place at the Planning Committee on 17th January 2024. 4 MAIN ISSUES 4.1 A copy of the report presented to the Planning Committee is provided in Appendix 1. Sections 6 and 7 of that report set out the planning policies and other material considerations relevant to the application. The report concludes that the site is within the defined town centre and whilst not an allocated site for housing, National Planning Framework 4 encourages vitality and viability of town centres through town centre living. Subject to the appropriate use of conditions, the proposed development is acceptable. ITEM 8
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The layout and design of the development has been developed to ensure that it integrates with the existing form as well as creating a high quality development which enhances the local area whilst also taking into consideration the constraints of the site. The development will provide much needed housing in a central town centre location with good connections to the surrounding area and wider green network. 4.2 The proposal will result in a high quality residential development. It is acknowledged that whilst contrary to specific aspects of the Development Plan in respect of the retail development opportunity allocation in the adopted Local Plan, the aspirations for the site have evolved since this Plan was prepared. The Clydebank Town Centre Development Framework 2021 identifies the need for residential development within the town centre with the Playdrome site itself is shown as a residential site within the Priority Phase 1. The proposed development will deliver this priority. The proposal is not an allocated residential development opportunity in the Local Development Plan and thus does not fully accord with the requirements of Policy 16 of NPF4. However, considering NPF4 as a whole, the proposal is considered to be in accordance with the spatial aims most notably in respect of Clyde Mission, redeveloping brownfield sites, contributing to town centre living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. 4.3 The proposed redevelopment of this prominent brownfield site within the town centre site with one hundred and twenty eight new dwellings in a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes is welcomed. The proposal will result in a high quality and permeable development creating positive relationships with adjacent streets and spaces. The proposed development will also bring residents into the town centre, supporting the economy of the town centre and adjacent community uses. 4.4 At the pre-determination hearing Ms Marie McNair MSP and Ms Fiona McInnes the Chief Executive of the Clydebank Co-operative Society addressed the Committee. The issues raised at the hearing reflected the matters covered in Section 5 of the Planning Committee report. A further email letter from the Clydebank Co-operative Society was circulated to the Planning Committee members regarding access arrangements during construction to existing car parks and properties via Abbotsford Road. Concern by Marie McNair MSP was raised about the loss of parking, breach of planning policies and the availability of alternative sites. The Clydebank Co- operative Society whilst welcoming new homes, highlighted the insufficient parking for new residents that many of their customers relied on the carpark, potential overspill of long stay parking into their car park and the development could impact on the viability of the shopping centre. The Applicant, Miller Homes Ltd, also addressed the Committee and indicated that the site was deemed to be an acceptable location for a housing site and indicated that they had worked with adjacent uses such as the Church, Credit Union, Salvation Army to give additional parking spaces and maintain access during construction.
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4.5 The Planning Committee members heard from the Planning and Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager and the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhoods regarding the available capacity of parking within the vicinity of the shopping centre and proximity of sustainable and active travel infrastructure. After discussion the Planning Committee recommended that the application be referred to the full Council for determination, expressing the provisional view that the application should be approved with the conditions indicated within Section 9 of the Planning Committee Report (Appendix 1) and the additional condition - “That at all times, during the construction of the development, vehicular and pedestrian access shall remain available via Abbotsford Road, or any other equivalent access road, to all existing properties which were, at the time of granting planning permission, accessed via Abbotsford Road.” 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 There are no financial or procurement implications. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 No risks have been identified. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 There is no equalities impact. 9. Environmental Sustainability 9.1 A Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required. 10. Consultation 10.1 Publicity and consultation have been carried out in line with the requirements of the planning regulations. Three representations have been received and these are summarised in Section 5 of the Planning Committee report (Appendix 1). 11. Strategic Assessment 11.1 The proposed development complies with the strategic priorities of the Council in particular: • Our Communities Resilient and Thriving • Our Environment A Greener Future • Our Economy Strong and Flourishing
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Pamela Clifford Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 27th March 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Pamela Clifford, Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Pamela.Clifford@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 07774428221 Appendices: Appendix 1 - Planning Committee Report: 17th January 2024 - DC123/203 Background Papers: None Wards Affected: Ward 6 (Clydebank Waterfront)