70-apartment extra care facility at Nene Parade Bedford Street, Wisbech

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for a four-storey extra care facility with 70 apartments, communal areas, access, parking and landscaping.

“Reserved Matters application relating to detailed matters of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale (Plot 5 only) pursuant to outline permission F/YR24/0485/VOC to erect a C2 use care home facility to accommodate 70 x apartments with communal and amenity space…”

“The application seeks Reserved Matters approval for Phase 1 of outline permission F/YR22/0914/FDL and subsequent variation F/YR24/0485/VOC. It proposes a four-storey Extra Care facility comprising 70 apartments (Use Class C2), with associated access, parking, and landscaping.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant site fronts the river and Nene Parade, lies near listed buildings and the police station, and is mainly within Flood Zone 3.

“The application site fronts Nene Parade and the riverfront to the west, with Grade II Listed buildings beyond, along North End . It lies to the south of Russell Road, west of Bedford Road, and is bounded to the south by Wisbech Police Station which is a non-designated heritage asset. Further to the south east are a number of Grade II Listed buildings along Lynn Road.”

“In terms of flood risk, the majority of the site lies within Flood Zone 3, with the south-eastern portion falling within Flood Zone 2. There are no additional environmental or planning constraints identified on the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Outline permission established a mixed-use development including extra care apartments, and a later variation allowed the development to proceed in phases.

“This site forms part of a larger 1.78-hectare area which benefits from outline planning permission (Ref: F/YR22/0914/FDL) for a mixed-use development comprising extra care apartments, commercial floorspace, and up to 60 dwellings, with all matters reserved. This permission was subsequently varied (Ref: F/YR23/0485/VOC) to allow for phased development.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Town Council supported the application, while most consultees raised no objection; Anglian Water’s final consultation response was awaited.

“No objection - The submitted documents demonstrate that surface water from the proposed development can be managed through the use of permeable paving over the parking area and tanked attenuation before limited discharge into the Anglian Water surface water sewer at a maximum rate of 1.5 l/s during the 1% AEP including climate change.”

“Note that the proposed surface water drainage strategy lacks evidence of compliance with the surface water hierarchy and may increase flood risk. They request consultation on any future applications to discharge Conditions 4 and 5 of outline permission F/YR24/0485/VOC.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

No letters of representation had been received from local residents or interested parties.

“No letters of representation have been received from local residents or interested parties at the time of writing this report…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the application, describing its affordable extra care homes, local need, employment benefits, design, landscaping and flood measures.

The committee vote

A proposal to grant permission in accordance with the officer recommendation was moved, seconded and agreed.

“Proposed by Councillor Meekins, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be GRANTED as per the officer’s recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was granted in accordance with the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions in the report.

“Water has responded today confirming that they are satisfied the surface water hierarchy has been complied with and, therefore, this application is now recommended for approval subject to the conditions contained within report.”

“Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Alastair Close, the agent. [name withheld] stated that he is delighted that, after many months of working closely with officers, the application is recommended for approval. He commended the officers for the comprehensive report as well as their diligence throughout this process which has led to the recommendation.”

Minutes