Two cemetery access points at Whiston Woods, Cumber Lane, Whiston

Officers’ advice

Officers recommended permission because the access arrangements were considered fit for purpose, safe and unlikely to cause severe traffic impacts.

“The cemetery would not result in a significant increase of traffic on the highway network and there are no concerns regarding the ability of the local highway network to accommodate the expected level of traffic. The Highways team have no objections and the proposed development therefore complies with Policies CS2, CS7 and CS19 in the Core Strategy and NPPF.”

“The scheme is considered to have a low impact on the level of traffic using the local highway network, and the increase in the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists visiting the site is expected to be negligible. The proposed access arrangements are considered fit for purpose and do not give rise to any highway safety concerns.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Knowsley’s highway authority and St Helens Borough Council raised no objections, subject to maintaining visibility at the exit.

“CONSULTATIONS Local Highway Authority (Knowsley Council) – No objections subject to a planning condition ensuring visibility splays of 2.4m by 90m have been provided at the proposed site egress junction. St Helens Borough Council – No objections to the proposed vehicular access points.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objectors raised concerns about highway safety, congestion, pedestrians, parking, flooding, environmental effects and the need for the wider cemetery.

“Driveway' would still need to cross The Driveway, through traffic turning left or right onto Cumber Lane in order to access the bus stop. • The National Planning Policy Framework makes it clear that developments should only be approved if their transport impact is not severe. In this case, the cumulative impact of funeral traffic, existing congestion, emergency service delays, and insufficient parking provision will create an unacceptable highway safety risk.”

“From a safety perspective the proposed cemetery should be next to the existing cemetery with a suitable car park and pathway for access. • Having an additional access point on Cumber Lane would have a negative effect on the area. The risk to pedestrians would be high. • Residents do not want any more disruption or building in Whiston.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Public objectors and the applicant’s representative made verbal representations during their allocated speaking periods.

Members’ debate

Members considered a requested site visit and an alternative refusal motion based on highway safety and planning policies.

“That a decision on the application be deferred until Planning Officers can arrange a site visit for Members of the Planning Committee.”

“The Head of Planning and Building Control advised that the transport statement submitted with the application stated that the Council’s Bereavement Service had provided the information which had been considered by the Highways Team, and they had based their judgment on that. In their professional judgement this information was accurate , and officers’ advice was that nothing further would be added by a site visit on this occasion.”

Minutes

The votes

Members rejected the site-visit motion and then rejected the refusal motion by nine votes to four, with no abstentions.

“The Planning Committee members took a vote on the motion, and it was rejected.”

“With 4 members voting for the motion and 9 voting against the motion, the motion was rejected. The Chairperson then referred to the recommendation detailed in the report, as follows:-”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to grant planning permission subject to the listed conditions or suitable amended conditions.

“That members delegate authority to the Head of Planning & Building Control to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the attached schedule or such additional or amended conditions that the Head of Planning & Building Control in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee consider appropriate.”

“RESOLVED – That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the schedule or such additional or amended conditions that the Head of Planning and Building Control in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee consider appropriate.”

Minutes

The conditions

The conditions covered implementation, approved plans, visibility splays and control of the access and exit points.

“Time period to implement the permission – 3 years Compliance 2. List of approved plans and documents Compliance 3. Visibility splays of 2.4m by 90m to be provided at site egress junction. Prior to the first use of the proposed site egress point. 4. Scheme to control the use of the site access/ site egress points Prior to the first use of the site access/egress points…”

Officer report