61 retirement homes at Truckeast Limited, Stowmarket

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing buildings and building 47 retirement apartments, 14 retirement bungalows, access, parking, landscaping and related works.

“Development of Description Full Planning Application - The demolition of existing buildings on site and erection of a 3 storey 47no. (comprising 29 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom units) Retirement Living apartments and 14no two- bedroom bungalows with associated access, car parking, landscaping, ancillary facilities, and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The former vehicle depot lies west of Violet Hill Road beside a school, near residential areas, healthcare facilities and a recreation ground.

“Site and Surroundings 2.1 The application site is located within the town of Stowmarket. The site consists of the former Truck East depot. It is located to the western side of Violet Hill Road. Chilton Community Primary School is noted to the immediate north of the site and the police station and Stow Heath Centre are both noted on the eastern side of Violet Hill Road.”

“The site does not contain any listed buildings. Evelyn Fison House is a Grade II listed building located on the other side of Violet Hill Road behind the police station. It is not located within any conservation area. A path lies to the west of the site which provides access to Chilton Community Primary School; however, this is a permissive path and not a public right of way.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

An earlier permission allowed up to 65 homes after the depot relocated, and the vacant site also has older commercial and signage permissions.

“Truck East have recently relocated out of Stowmarket and are now established and operating from Lawn Farm Business Park under planning permissions DC/19/03851 and DC/21/01481. DC/22/06379 secured outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the site to provide up to 65 no. dwellings. Since TruckEast’s relocation, the site has stood vacant.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, giving weight to specialist housing, brownfield redevelopment and the site’s settlement-boundary location, subject to resolving the biodiversity metric.

“The principle of development is met. The site lies within the settlement boundary for Stowmarket and would deliver a much-needed form of specialist housing. In addition, it would comprise the redevelopment of a brownfield site including remediation of the site.”

“RECOMMENDATION That Members resolve to delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer to resolve the biodiversity metric, and subject to this, to GRANT planning permission subject to the following obligations, conditions and informatives and any others as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer: Conditions: • Time limit for commencement • Development to accord with approved plans • External materials to be agreed • Visibility splays to access • Access to site…”

Officer report

Public representations

No letters, emails or online comments had been received when the report was prepared.

“SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIONS At the time of writing this report no letters/emails/online comments have been received. An update shall be provided as necessary either via Tabled Papers or verbally at the meeting. All individual representations are counted and considered. Repeated and/or additional communication from a single individual will be counted as one representation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed Members’ questions, and the Ward Member answered questions about pedestrian access and the permissive path.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the site location, biodiversity net gain and the growing need for this accommodation, then proposed wider paths and further conditions.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the location of the site, the potential biodiversity net gain, and the growing need for the type of accommodation.”

“The Area Planning Manager confirmed the details of the proposed additional conditions debated by Members relating to the widening of the footpaths, cycle parking, and solar panel provision.”

Minutes

The vote

The proposal to approve was supported by five votes, with the Ward Member not participating in the debate or vote.

“As Ward Member for the application Councillor Carter did not participate in the debate or vote for the item.”

“Members considered the representation from Ward Member Councillor Carter.”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to resolve the biodiversity metric, and permission was granted subject to reviewing footpath widths and the listed conditions.

“That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to resolve the biodiversity metric, and subject to this, to GRANT planning permission subject amendment to review the width of footpaths and the following obligations, conditions and informatives and any others as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:”

“Conditions: • Time limit for commencement • Development to accord with approved plans • External materials to be agreed • Visibility splays to access • Access to site to be provided first within development • Details of internal roads and footpaths • Internal roads and footpaths to be provided prior to occupation • Parking and EV charging to be provided as shown • Mobility vehicle parking area to be provided • Cycle parking to be provided • Bins – storage and presentation…”

Minutes