Waste services depot at Terminus Road, Chichester

What was proposed

The application proposed a council waste services depot with storage buildings, containers, fencing, access works, parking and associated works.

“Proposal Use of the site as Chichester District Council's Contract Services depot, and the erection of a building, siting of 3 no. storage containers and storage unit, perimeter fencing, with vehicle access gates, formation of internal access road, vehicle parking, and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an existing hardstanding area within an industrial estate, enclosed by trees or fencing and accessed from Terminus Road.

“The application site is located within an established industrial estate at the western end of Terminus Road, a short distance from its junction with the Fishbourne roundabout and the A27 Strategic Road Network (SRN).”

“The site is part of a former depot with a range of permitted commercial uses including uses in Use Classes B1, B2 and B8 for storage and haulage. These uses appear to be the most recent uses permitted on the site. The site is mostly enclosed by established trees or wire fence boundaries, with an access gate on the east boundary onto the shared access road.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered commercial, storage, haulage, workshop and managed workspace uses, while a recent proposal concerned relocating waste management services.

“15/03419/REG3 PER Replacement of an existing industrial building with a new managed workspace business centre which will provide a mix of office and workshop units associated car parking.”

“25/00857/PRESSP Likely to receive officer support To relocate part of the waste management contract services team from the Westhampnett depot site to terminus road.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal compatible with the industrial area, with acceptable visual, ecological, highways, noise, contamination and drainage effects.

“The proposal aligns with the mixed commercial and industrial uses within Terminus Road, resulting in minimal additional construction and an acceptable impact on the character of the area. It would have an acceptable effect on on-site ecology and neighbouring trees, and an acceptable impact on the highways network.”

“Although the application does not pass the surface water flood risk sequential test, it is concluded that the overall extent and risk of flooding, combined with the less vulnerable nature of the development (which provides no habitable accommodation), outweighs the failure of the sequential test. Therefore, the proposal is recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Flood risk balance

Although the surface water flood risk sequential test was not passed, officers gave limited negative weight because the use was less vulnerable and flooding could be managed.

“The RoFRS mapping indicates that the site is at risk of surface water flooding in the high, medium and low probability flood events. The mapping shows areas of pooling within the site attributed to the topographic low spots. These are two small, localised areas of surface water pools to depths of less than 0.2m within the western area of the site.”

“The risk of flooding at the access, whilst present, is classified as low risk, and the depth of flooding, should it occur, would also be low risk. The risk of flooding to the built form is both medium and high risk; however, the depth of flooding, should it occur, is expected to have depths of less than 0.2m. This level of flood risk requires minimal intervention and would be managed by existing surface water drainage serving the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An officer presented the report, highlighted the agenda correction and outlined the site location and its proximity to the Enterprise Centre.

Committee discussion

Members asked about contamination from the COSHH store during flooding and were told that its location and bunded tank reduced that risk.

“Officers responded to comments and questions as follows;”

“Addressing concerns regarding contamination from the COSHH building during a flood event; [name withheld] acknowledged the concerns raised, he assured the Committee that whilst there were certain areas of the site at risk of flooding the proposed COSHH store was not located in any of these areas. In addition, the COSHH store had a bunded tank beneath it which would further prevent any risk of contamination.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted to support the recommendation to permit the application.

“Following a vote, the Committee agreed to support the recommendation to permit.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

“Resolved; permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes