Agenda item

To visit and inspect the site deferred planning application for the demolition of existing outdoor store/toilets and erection of Sunday school/meeting rooms/kitchen and toilet facilities at the Church Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Towngate, Eccleston and to make recommendation on the determination of the application to the Development Control Committee.

The application was deferred at the last two Development Control Committee meetings on 27 March and 25 April 2006. A copy of the report of the Director of Development and Regeneration including the representations that were included on the addendum of these two committees and other comments that have since been received  is attached for information.

The three respective Ward Councillors who are not Members of the Site Inspection Sub-Committee are also invited to attend the Site Inspection and participate in the discussion.

The Sub-Committee visited and inspection the location of the planning application that had been declared by the Development Control Committee. The application sought approval to demolish an existing outdoor store/toilets and construct a Sunday school/meeting rooms/kitchen and toilet facilities at the Church Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Towngate, Eccleston.

The Development Control Manager reported that the developers were going to use sandstone so that it was in keeping with the Grade II listed Church building and that they planned to use as much reclaimed red sandstone from the existing building as was possible.

The Council’s Conservation Officer is happy with the design and the materials that they are going to use.

Members expressed their concerns over the entrance/exit to the site during the development stage and the case officer pointed out that a number of Tree Preservation Orders have been placed on the trees to prevent the developers from destroying them in the process. They have also promised to protect the surrounding graves.

The application was viewed from various aspects and the views of the Ward Councillor were considered.

RECCOMENDED – That the Development Control Committee grant full planning permission for planning application 06/00099/FUL subject to the following conditions:

1. The proposed development must be begun not later than three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2. The development hereby permitted shall not commence until full details of the colour, form and texture of all external materials to the proposed building, including mortar mix and the type, coursing and jointing of the natural stone to be used in the construction of the external faces of the building (notwithstanding any detail shown on previously submitted plan(s) and specification) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall only be carried out in conformity with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory form of development in the interest of the visual amenity of the area and in accordance with Policy Nos. GN5 and HT3 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

3. No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agent or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Planning Authority.

Reason: The site is of archaeological importance because of its location in the churchyard of a medieval church and in accordance with Policy No. HT12 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

4. Notwithstanding any details shown on previously submitted plan(s) and specification, no fascias or bargeboards are to be used on the approved building.

Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the building and in accordance with Policy Nos. GN5 and HT3 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

5. Notwithstanding the provision of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any Order revoking or re0enacting that Order, with or without modification), no windows other than those expressly authorised by this permission, or as subsequently agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, shall be inserted or constructed at any time in the west elevation of the building hereby permitted.

Reason: To ensure privacy to the memorial garden situated to the west of the building and in accordance with policy No. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

6. All windows in the buildings west elevation shall be fitted with obscure glass and obscure glazing shall be retained at all times thereafter.

Reason: IN the interests of the privacy of the memorial garden to the west of the building and in accordance with Policy No. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

7. No development shall take place until a scheme of landscaping for the proposed hedging has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, notwithstanding any such detail which may have been previously submitted. The scheme shall indicate the size, species, stature, distribution and location of the proposed hedges shown on plan no. 1630-13-SLP1. All planting comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting season following the occupation or completion of the building, whichever is sooner and the hedgerows thereafter retained, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of the area and in accordance with Policy no. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

8. Before the development hereby permitted is first commenced, full details of the means of foul water drainage/disposal shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The building shall not be occupied until the works for foul water drainage/disposal have been completed in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure property drainage of the development and in accordance with Policy No. EP17 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

9. Before the development commences, full details of the treatment of all the proposed windows and doors shall have been submitted to and been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The submitted details shall include the proposed method of construction, the materials to be used, fixing details (including cross sections) and their external finish including any surrounds, cills or lintels.

Reason : In the interests of the character and appearance of the building and in accordance with Policy No. HT3 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

10. Before the development commences, full details of the proposed rainwater goods, including the eaves detail, to be used on the building shall have been submitted to and been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason : In the interests of the character and appearance of the building and in accordance with Policy No. HT3 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review