76 apartments at Trinity Marina, Coventry Road, Hinckley

“A single brick is proposed for all three blocks. In all three blocks all apartments on the upper floors have recessed balconies with those on the ground floor having recessed terraces and the external stair access on Blocks A and B allows all apartments to have large living spaces with windows in both elevations so that for all apartments in these two blocks the main living area faces water, open kitchen areas are then located centrally with dining areas facing the…”

“Both the application description and the detailed design of the apartments have been significantly amended since the application was first submitted. The number of apartments has been increased from 73 to 76 and no three bed apartments are now proposed. The detailed design of the buildings has been revised to take account of land ownership clarification, utilities restrictions on the site and changes to provide a more efficient use of floorspace.”

“The application site covers an area of approximately 0.86 hectares and is located to the north of the existing Trinity Marina, within the settlement boundary of Hinckley which is identified as a sub-regional centre in the Council’s Core Strategy.”

“The site is generally flat but with an embankment to the northern and eastern boundaries of the marina and currently comprises partially maintained grassland and partially overgrown vegetation, particularly to its margins. There is a landscaped strip of vegetation that varies in depth between the site and the canal to the west. The Ashby Canal and its immediate margins lie within the Ashby Canal Conservation Area which covers the length of the canal through the borough.”

“79/00512/4 – Outline planning permission for the erection of garage complex comprising of offices, showrooms, workshops, car sales, petrol station etc., motel and marina – Approved June 1979”

“18/00058/OUT – Mixed use development including up to 74 apartments, marina facilities (toilets/shower/bath facilities, café, shop, launderette and marina offices/storage) and associated landscaping and infrastructure (outline – access, landscaping, layout and scale only) – Approved 7 August 2019”

“The Council cannot demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply and the housing policies in the adopted Core Strategy and the housing policies of the adopted SADMP are considered to be out of date as they focused on delivery of a lower housing requirement than is now required.”

“Other benefits of the scheme apart from the delivery of 76 dwellings include the relative accessibility to facilities and services and the economic and social benefits through the construction of dwellings and from subsequent activities of future residents in the local area. These benefits are considered to attract moderate weight.”

“Canal and River Trust – Considers that the initially submitted revised design is an improvement although the side elevations of blocks A and B are not particularly engaged with the canal and were disappointing when compared with the greater interest and articulation achieved in the principal elevations. The proposed palisade fence along the canal is disappointing and a less utilitarian boundary treatment should be considered.”

“Due to the suitable scale, mass, layout, form and design and construction materials for each block (subject to a condition) the proposal would result in an appropriate development within the immediate setting of the Ashby Canal Conservation Area causing no harm to its significance.”

“The highway information submitted with the application is deeply flawed – the proposal is wholly unsuitable and poses serious risks in terms of highway and pedestrian safety • There is insufficient parking already for marina residents and the car dealerships this development would make the parking situation unacceptable • One of the benefits of the existing marina is that it is secure with the access protected by a locked vehicular gate, pedestrian gate and gates to the…”

“The buildings will overlook the marina and its occupants impeding on their mental wellbeing • People living in narrowboats on the marina are being treated differently from people living in houses – this is not fair and is contrary to Human Rights legislation • The application documentation suggests that it has direct access to the canal towpath.”

“It was moved by Councillor Lynch and seconded by Councillor Bray that permission be granted in accordance with the officer’s report, with an additional requirement that the ward councillors be consulted in relation to discharge of conditions 15 and 19. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was…”

“(b) The conditions outlined in the officer’s report and late items.”

“(iii) Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration to determine the final detail of the planning conditions.”