Three industrial units at Land at Oldlands Farm Newlands Road, Bognor Regis

What was proposed

The application sought three industrial or warehouse units in two buildings, with offices, parking, servicing, landscaping, cycle shelters and drainage works.

“DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATIONThe application is for approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale), pursuant to planning permission BE/150/22/OUT for the demolition of the existing derelict building and erection of up to 18,580sqm of new industrial/warehouse (Use Class B2/B8) and ancillary offices (Use Class E (g)) floorspace with ancillary offices, associated car parking and landscaping.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

An outline permission allowed demolition of a derelict building and up to 18,580 square metres of industrial, warehouse and ancillary office floorspace.

“BE/150/22/OUTOutline planning application with all matters reserved except access for the demolition of existing derelict building and erection of up to 18,580sqm of new industrial/warehouse (Use Class B2/B8) and ancillary offices (Use Class E (g)) floorspace. App Cond with S106 05-10-23”

“Pursuant to the outline approval, numerous discharge of condition applications have been received, discussed further within the report.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the development would provide employment buildings and its layout, appearance, scale and landscaping were acceptable.

“The proposal will help deliver a range of new employment buildings within the district in accordance with the outline planning permission and policies EMP DM1 and EMP DM2 of the Arun Local Plan.”

“The proposed layout, appearance, scale and landscaping of the development is acceptable and provides for a series of well orientated buildings which respond well to their context and surroundings. The appearance of the buildings is acceptable and akin to similar contemporary employment schemes.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Highways, ecology, National Highways, landscape and environmental health consultees accepted the amended proposals, while drainage engineers maintained an objection.

“WSCC Highways - The LHA did not raise any objection to the original (BE/150/22/OUT) proposals subject to National Highways (NH) passing comment on the proposed usage of the site. From LHA's perspective capacity and distribution matters have previously been assessed and discussed as part of this proposal and the original BE/150/22/OUT application.”

“Parks and Landscape Officer - The proposed landscaping would be largely unaffected by the incorporation of SUDs features. The detailed landscaping has proved details of an appropriate scheme to soften and assist in mitigating the proposals the scheme has incorporated a mix of native and ornamental trees and shrubs specified at an appropriate size at time of planting.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One public speaker, the applicant, was listed for the application.

What members debated

Members discussed drainage, roundabout congestion, highway concerns, parcel deliveries, lighting, tree removal and the retention of peripheral trees.

“Moving to the presentation he confirmed the application sought approval of reserved matters specifically for appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, in relation to the erection of 18,580 m² of industrial or commercial floor space. Members were reminded that there was an outstanding objection from both Arun District Council’s drainage engineers and West Sussex County Council as the lead local flood authority.”

“Another member commented that they would not revisit highways issues as these had been addressed previously. They noted that Bersted Parish Council had raised concerns at outline stage about lighting impacts on the Bersted Brooks Nature Reserve, but the report confirmed that lighting levels had been reduced to below one lux along the southern boundary, which addressed that concern.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The chairman proceeded to the vote after no further members wished to speak, and the committee resolved to approve the application conditionally.

“As no further members indicated they wished to speak, the Chairman proceeded to the vote.”

“That the application be APPROVED CONDITIONALLY.”

Minutes

The approved conditions

The permission required compliance with approved plans, highways and travel plan measures, landscaping, acoustic fencing and continued compliance with the outline permission.

“Reason: In the interests of road safety and in accordance with Arun Local Plan policy T SP1. 3No part of the development shall be first occupied until a Travel Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Travel Plan once approved shall thereafter be implemented as specified within the approved document.”

“Planning Authority has been able to grant planning permission for an acceptable proposal, in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework. 8This permission does not formally discharge any of the drainage conditions imposed on the outline planning permission and separate applications will be required to discharge these.”

Officer report