Distribution centre at Land South Of Fradley Park, Nanscawen Road, Lichfield

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing farm buildings and building a large distribution centre with offices, access, parking, servicing, landscaping and ecological works.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the demolition of existing farm buildings and the erection of a distribution warehouse (Use Class B8) with ancillary offices, associated access arrangements, servicing, parking, landscaping and ecological enhancement works on land south of Prologis Park Fradley.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 22.03-hectare site was mainly agricultural land beside Fradley Park, with hedgerows, mature trees, Mare Brook, farm buildings and nearby infrastructure.

“The application site extends to approximately 22.03 hectares and is located to the south of Prologis Park Fradley, approximately 3km north-east of Lichfield City Centre. The site forms part of the wider Fradley area and lies adjacent to the established Fradley Park employment area, which is the principal strategic employment location within the District. The designated area for Fradley Neighbourhood Plan covers around half of the site and the access.”

“The site is irregular in shape and currently comprises predominantly agricultural land divided into field parcels by hedgerows and mature tree planting. Mare Brook runs through the site in an east- west direction and is bounded in part by mature vegetation and hedgerows. Existing built form within…”

Officer report

Planning history

The report states that the application site had no planning history.

“There is no planning history associated with the application site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because significant economic and employment benefits outweighed localised landscape, visual and arboricultural harm, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“Having regard to the Development Plan as a whole, the National Planning Policy Framework and all other material considerations, officers conclude that whilst the proposal would give rise to some localised landscape, visual and arboricultural harm, these impacts, subject to the proposed mitigation and compensation measures, are outweighed by the significant economic, employment and investment benefits associated with the development.”

“Summary Overall, the scheme is considered, on balance, appropriate and acceptable and is recommended for approval subject to the recommendations as outlined within this report.”

Officer report

Neighbour representations

Site and press notices were posted, but no letters of representation were received.

“Site and press notices were posted, no letters of representation have been received in respect of this application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Representations were made by the applicant’s agents before the application was considered.

What the committee considered

The presenting senior officer reported an agreed additional condition requiring a footbridge and shared-use footway and cycleway link over a watercourse.

“The Presenting Senior Officer informed Committee that an additional condition had been agreed with the agent in respect to the delivery of a wooden bridge over a water course to allow pedestrian access to the footpath along the A38. The condition reads:”

“Prior to first occupation of the development, the Owner/Applicant shall enter into a Section 278 Agreement with National Highways for the footbridge and associated shared use footway/cycleway link.”

Minutes