Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held on 11 July 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

Schedule – Page 13

Item 1 – Land off Stokesley Road, Nunthorpe – Page 15

Item 2 – 36 Nuneaton Drive, Hemlington – Page 47

Item 3 – Site of former Southlands Centre – Page 59

The Head of Planning submitted plans deposited as applications to develop land under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

24/0190/MAJ, land off Stokesley Road, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, construction of gospel hall with associated car parking and landscaping.

Members were advised that planning permission was sought for the construction of a gospel hall with associated car parking area and landscaping on the land at the southern end of the allocated Nunthorpe Grange housing site.

Members heard that following a consultation exercise, objections and other representations were received from 120 addresses, as well as the Nunthorpe Parish Council and a Ward Councillor.  The Head of Planning advised that since the publication of the report 147 letters of support had been received.

The Head of Planning stated that there were 3 areas for the Members to consider principle of development, design and highways.

In relation to the principle of development members were advised that the application site was located in south Middlesbrough and related to an area of land identified as part of the wider ‘Land at Nunthorpe, south of Guisborough Road’ housing

allocation. Policies H1, H10, H11, H29 and H31 collectively allocated the site for residential development and were relevant to this application. As the proposed development regards the construction of a place of worship, it was considered to represent a departure from the adopted Development Plan although the use is acceptable but would need to achieve a high-quality design as the site is in a key prominent location local development should reflect this.

Members were informed that Paragraph 135 of the National Planning Policy Framework stated that ‘planning decisions should ensure that developments would function well and add to the overall quality of the area; are visually attractive as a result of good architecture, layout and appropriate landscaping; are sympathetic to local character, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting; and, establish a strong sense of place, using building types and materials to create attractive and distinctive places to visit’.  Members were advised that officers did not feel that the quality of the design was of a quality expected in this location and that the quality was not sufficient to justify approval. 

In terms of highways Members were advised that there would be a high level of usage every third Sunday of the month the increased usage would be localised and would potentially be for 10-15 minutes before and after each service it was advised that this would be on the margins of acceptability.  No restrictions would be in place so impacts could be outside of these times it was advised that whilst restrictions could be placed these would not be considered acceptable in terms of planning and would fail to meet the required tests.

The development proposals indicated that a total of 284 car spaces were proposed

consisting of 163 hard surfaced spaces plus 121 Grasscrete spaces. It was advised that a typical Interchange Meeting currently attracted 800 worshippers and based upon the car occupancy levels provided (3.4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/16

The Head of Planning submitted details of planning applications which had been approved to date in accordance with the delegated authority granted to him at Minute 187 (29 September 1992).

NOTED

The Head of Planning updated members on the performance of the Planning Service during the first quarter of 2024/25.  The update outlined a number of key performance measures for the Planning Service, in particular focusing on those measures against which a Local Planning Authority’s performance is measured against government targets.

Members were advised that the Service performed above national performance targets. Overall the number of planning applications submitted fell significantly following the creation of the Middlesbrough Development Corporation. During the last quarter this fell further with a decrease in 10% (from 87 to 76 applications) submitted over the previous quarter.  This was also reflected in the continued decline in the number of applications determined during the period, but was to be expected given the decline in applications submitted.

There had been a significant increase in the performance of the service with regards to enforcement activity.  The number of enforcement cases had remained at consistent levels over the last three quarters, with a marked increase in the closure of cases during the last quarter, and an increase in the number of enforcement notices being served.  This had resulted in a 10% decrease in the number of outstanding cases.  The level of outstanding cases remained at an unsustainable high level.  Members were advised that the principal cause of enforcement complaints remained as unauthorised works for example works being undertaken without securing the necessary planning permissions.

In agreement with the Chair this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Planning and Development Committee.