Car sales facility at Jump Giants, Forge Road, Gateshead

What was proposed

The application sought to convert part of a car park into a car sales facility, with a new access, fencing, gates and sales cabin.

“8 The application is seeking planning permission on a part-retrospective basis for the change of use of part of the Jump Giants car park (Sui Generis), to a car sales facility (Sui Generis). The creation of the new car sales includes:- - the creation of a new vehicular access; - the installation of a boundary fence and gates; and…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is part of the Jump Giants car park in a mixed commercial, industrial and residential area, accessed from Forge Road.

“2 The application site relates to a section of car park at the Jump Giants Trampoline Park and Soft Play in Dunston, Gateshead. The site is located within a mixed commercial, industrial and residential area.”

“4 Forge Road runs directly to the south of the site, with the residential housing estate of Thornhill Close situated to the other site of the road.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications covered a proposed motorcycle showroom, a trampoline park conversion and a motorcycle training school, with different outcomes.

“11 DC/22/01135/COU | Partial change of use of trampoline park (Use Class E (d)) to motorcycle showroom with external alterations to front elevation with creation of new entrance doors and external cladding with associated access and landscape works (amended description 14.11.2022) (amended plans 14.11.2022, 04.01.2023) | Withdrawn…”

“14 DC/04/01202/COU | Change of use of vacant land at west side of existing building to provide motorcycle training school | Granted subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Traffic and residential impacts

Officers accepted the access, parking and servicing arrangements and proposed controls on opening hours, deliveries and staff numbers to protect safety and neighbours.

“24 While the cycle parking proposed is limited, it is considered adequate for the nature of the use, subject to a condition requiring detailed cycle storage specification; a condition is also recommended to limit staff numbers to ensure parking availability and prevent overspill onto Forge Road.”

“27 In terms of refuse collection arrangements and servicing for the proposed car sales area, including the operation of car transporters, the arrangements are considered acceptable. There is sufficient space available for manoeuvring within and adjacent to the site, informed by swept paths technical drawings for the proposed car sales area.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Northumbria Police had no objection, and the Mining Remediation Authority said the development was exempt from requiring a Coal Mining Risk Assessment.

“1 Northumbria Police Northumbria Police have no objection to the retrospective application.”

“2 Mining Remediation Authority In this particular case, we note that the application is proposing the change of use of an existing car park to a car sales facility. Whilst alterations are proposed on site and a modular building is to be sited adjacent to the northerns site boundary, these would not appear to require significant groundworks or foundations.”

Officer report

Objections and support

Eight representations objected over traffic, parking, safety, noise, privacy, pollution, security, character, overdevelopment and the retrospective process, while one later representation supported the application.

“2 A total of 8 representations were received in response to the publicity of the application. All eight representations object to the proposal.”

“5 Traffic, Highway Safety and Parking • Increase in traffic generation and vehicle movements within a residential area • Congestion on Forge Road and surrounding streets • On-street parking pressures due to inadequate on-site parking provision • Reduced parking capacity following subdivision of existing site • Unsafe highway conditions, including visibility issues at a blind corner and roundabout access • Increased risk to pedestrians, including school children and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers addressed the committee.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission, subject to conditions, and authorised amendments to the planning conditions.

“That planning permission be GRANTED, subject to the following conditions, with an amendment to Condition 5 as requested by Members, and that the Service Director of Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport be authorised to add, vary and amend the planning conditions as necessary.”

Minutes