Vehicle repair facility at Old Ambulance Station, Hurst Road, Horsham

What was proposed

The application sought to change the former ambulance station into a facility repairing and maintaining the Council’s food waste vehicles.

“The application seeks a new use of the building as a facility for the repair and maintenance of the Council’s food waste vehicles. A supporting document ‘Routine Maintenance’ sets out the routine maintenance activities that would take place, including: - vehicle inspections and repairs including replacing worn parts such as brakes; - annual oil and filter changes, vehicle greasing; - daily rinsing of vehicles to remove residual food waste…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a former ambulance station within Horsham’s built-up area, near civic buildings, Horsham Park and residential properties.

“The site is situated on Hurst Road, within the Built-Up-Area Boundary of Horsham. The site lies immediately behind the old Fire Station, to the north of the Police Station and to the south of Horsham Hospital. To the rear/west is Horsham Park.”

“The site consists of a former ambulance station which was granted planning permission under DC/17/0967 to be used as a theatre rehearsal space. This permission was implemented and is the current lawful use of the building. The associated car park being used as permit parking for nearby town centre office season permit holders. DC/17/0967 contained the following condition which strictly limits the use of the building:”

Officer report

Earlier use and applications

The building was previously approved as a theatre rehearsal space, while an earlier application permitted an ambulance response building.

“DC/17/0967 Change of Use from a former Ambulance Station (Sui Generis) to Use Class D1 plus two external storage containers…”

“Permitted on 07.08.2017 DC/16/1107 Erection of portable building to provide an Ambulance Community Response Post Permitted on 12.08.2016”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no transport objection, while drainage, environmental health and Southern Water requested conditions or further information.

“HDC Drainage Engineer: Comment ‘A Foul and Surface Water Drainage Strategy must be provided, to support the proposed ‘Change of use of building from Class E(f) to Class B2 to provide a facility for repair of vehicles.’ As such, no washing of vehicles shall take place until a drainage strategy detailing the proposed means of surface water disposal has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

“Conditions Recommended: Construction of the development shall not commence until details of the proposed means of foul water drainage disposal have been submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with Southern Water.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

A neighbour, the Horsham Society and Denne Neighbourhood Council raised concerns about noise, disruption, suitability, drainage, cleaning and operating hours.

“Representations: One letter of Objection has been received from one address, objecting to the application on the following grounds: • Noise Impact from B2 use of tools, machinery etc • Disturbance and disruption • Impact on character of the area and the environment • Incompatible with the surrounding residential and community uses…”

“Parish Comments: Denne Neighbourhood Council: Objection Horsham Denne NC has no objection to the change of use per se; but the information provided is incomplete and inconsistent. Will there be a separate planning application for any work that needs to be done?”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members noted the planning history and considered footway use by local college students and vehicle movement impacts.

“Members noted the planning history of the application.”

“Members considered the use of footways by local college students and vehicle movement impacts.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the officer recommendation.

“That DC/25/1840 be approved in accordance with officer recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Planning permission was approved subject to conditions covering drainage, contamination, equipment, noise, lighting, operating hours and vehicle repairs.

“3 Regulatory Condition: If, during development, contamination not previously identified is found to be present at the site then no further development (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority) shall be carried out until the developer has submitted a remediation strategy to the local planning authority detailing how this unsuspected contamination shall be dealt with and obtained written approval from the local planning authority.”

“7 Regulatory Condition: No external lighting or floodlighting shall be installed without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority. Any that is installed with the permission of the Local Planning Authority shall be maintained in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report