Two commercial buildings at Tilgate Forest Business Centre, Tilgate, Crawley

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of two commercial buildings within Use Class B2 (general industrial) with ancillary storage and office, associated surface-level and basement car parking, bicycle storage, and soft landscaping. The applicant currently operates from a site in Tandridge which they have outgrown, and which has little potential for expansion.”

“The entire lower ground floor of Block B (also extending beneath the yard area between the two buildings) would be used to provide undercroft/basement parking for 79 vehicles. Access to this parking area would be via the eastern side of Block B. There would also be electric bike charging spaces in this undercroft. There would be an area of further parking to the west of Block A for 14 parking spaces as well as a turning area.”

“The application site comprises land to the north of Tilgate Forest Business Centre, extending to approximately 0.88 hectares and measuring roughly 213m x 46m. The Business Centre is accessed from the eastern side of the dual carriageway of the A23 and the estate road Forest Gate runs west to east through the Centre. There is an existing access road that runs north from the estate road to the application site measuring approximately 62m in length.”

“The application site and wider business park are designated as a Main Employment Area and included within the designated built-up area boundary of Crawley (which is drawn tight around the boundaries of the business park and excludes neighbouring land to the north, east, and south). The far west of the site falls outside of the built-up area boundary. The application site and parts of the wider business centre constitute contaminated land due to previous land uses.”

“CR/2017/0346/OUT – Outline application (access & layout), for erection of two four-storey residential buildings, comprising 80 one and two bedroom flats, with car parking at undercroft and surface level and communal private amenity space – Refused, and subsequent appeal dismissed 19 March 2019.”

“CR/2013/0423/FUL – Extension of time limit for CR/2010/0182/FUL: Erection of 2 office buildings with associated parking and landscaping – Approve (5 year temporary permission – expired 20 November 2018). Partially implemented, permission therefore remains extant.”

“Whilst the proposal does not achieve the recommended 15-metre buffer to safeguard the Ancient Woodland, it would provide a grass strip along the northern boundary to limit hardstanding and a larger buffer to the west where protected trees are located. Further the retention of this landscaping buffer would limit the impact on the Structural Landscaping.”

“Taking these matters into account, officers consider that, on balance, the proposed development would result in a net reduction in harm on the Ancient Woodland and the Structural Landscaping when compared with the fallback position.”

“WSCC Highways: No objection subject to conditions. National Air Traffic Services (NATS): No objection. Thames Water: Recommend conditions to secure foul drainage. Sussex Police: Suggest minor security enhancements. CBC Drainage Officer: No objection subject to conditions 6. CBC Planning Arboricultural Officer: No objection subject to conditions…”

“UK Power Networks: No response. CBC Contaminated Land Officer: No objection subject to conditions. CBC Environmental Health Officer: No objection subject to conditions. CBC Refuse & Recycling Team: No response. Southern Water Ltd: No comments. CBC Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: Recommends conditions to address sustainability. CBC Air Quality Officer: No objection subject to conditions. The Woodland Trust: No response. 15.”

“The Committee then considered the application. A Committee member sought further explanation as to why the extant planning permission at the site (which had been renewed most recently in 2013) was a relevant consideration for the Committee as it had expired in 2018. Officers explained that the development had commenced in planning terms as foundations had been formed and the application conditions had been discharged.”

“Officers also provided the following clarifications during the discussion: • A goat willow tree had been identified during the officer-led site visit, and it was confirmed this was due to be felled during development. The tree did not form part of the ancient woodland. • Although the 15 metre ancient woodland buffer zone had not been achieved, the buildings permitted under the extant application were much closer (approximately 2.5 metres) to the woodland border.”

“The Committee then moved to a vote on the recommendation set out in the report. The recommendation was moved by Councillor Rana as the Chair and seconded by Councillor Bidwell as the Vice-Chair.”

“Permit, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure: • Tree planting contribution (£19,600) • Employment and Skills Plan • Employment and Skill contribution (23,468.84) • Sustainable Transport Contribution (£7,294.00) • A Public Art contribution of 1% of build costs • Air Quality Damage Mitigation Requirements to a value of £13,405.29 • Travel Plan and subsequent monitoring…”

“And subject to the conditions set out in report PES/511a.”