Replacement buildings and storage uses at Green Farm, Great Finborough, Stowmarket

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for replacement buildings 7 and 9 and specified electrical, personal and timber storage uses in buildings 7, 9, 11 and 12.

“Description of Development Full Planning Application - Erection of replacement buildings 7 and 9 (following demolition of buildings 6, 7, 8 and 9) (Retention of) and use of building 7 for sui generis (electrical work and storage) (Retention of) and building 9 for sui generis (electrical work and storage); change of use of building 11 from agricultural to sui generis (personal storage for [name withheld]) (Retention of) and change of use of building 12 from agricultural to sui generis…”

Officer report

What residents said

Five objections raised concerns about noise, lighting, traffic, HGVs, working hours, pollution, ecology, landscaping, highway safety and intensified industrial activity.

“- Potential conflict with uses of City Lane - Building 9 located outside site area for 0302/03/ - Previous building 9 was just a steel frame - Impact on neighbouring business - 0508/08 refusal pertaining to the highway being unsuitable for HGV use and effect on living conditions remains valid - Increase in impacts relating to noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust, grit, light - Lack of information relating to ecology, environmental impact, landscape…”

“Objection comments received after the Unilateral Undertaking (UU) summarised as follows: - Light pollution from floodlights - Noise, including outside of normal working hours - Vehicular traffic arriving before 7am - Frequent HGV use - Amended application suggests the owner wishes to increase use - Conflict with pedestrians and other highway users - Impact health and wellbeing - Accuracy of the noise report - Scope of the uses within the UU has increased to Class B2 and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the applicant and the ward member addressed the committee and answered questions about the buildings, traffic and enforcement matters.

What members debated

Members discussed the site’s previous use, traffic and HGVs, employment, noise, working hours, retrospective development and future changes of use.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the prior existence and use of the site, the potential for over development not being a concern, the low level of HGV’s visiting the site, and the site being identified as brownfield.”

“Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the retrospective nature of the application, potential future increases in traffic, the potential employment opportunities at the site, the potential noise levels, and the working hours at the site.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillors Lawrence and Hadingham proposed and seconded approval, which passed by six votes to one.

“Councillor Lawrence proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer recommendation.”

“Councillor Hadingham seconded the proposal.”

Minutes