Four employment buildings at Mellishaw North Development Site, Heaton With Oxcliffe

“This application seeks planning permission for the erection of four new buildings accommodating 7 employment units falling within planning use classes E(g), B2 and B8, together with together with the alterations of land levels, construction of new access roads, servicing areas, parking areas, boundary enclosures, landscaping and associated infrastructure.”

“The proposed buildings are all either two storey or single storey in height, and will comprise profile metal roof sheets, along with solar panel arrays and rooflights, and composite cladding and reconstituted stone to the elevations. There will be a combination of large vehicular doors and pedestrian doors, door and windows will be aluminium frames. Each unit will benefit from car parking areas and identified service areas.”

“The site relates to an area of land located on the northern side of Mellishaw Lane, within the designated employment site of White Lund Employment Area. The site is accessed from Golf Drive, adjacent to an established car sales business to the west, with newer industrial/employment to the northeast. The site forms the frontage to Mellishaw Lane, there are overhead power lines which cross the site east to west.”

“The site forms part of the White Lund Industrial Estate General Employment Area Allocation, it also forms part of the White Lund Trading Estate Minerals and Waste Site Allocation. Mellishaw Lane is a B Class road with a 40mph speed limit, it also forms part of an aspirational cycle route. Parts of the site are located within flood zone 2 and 3a, it is also identified as being in an area benefitting from flood defences.”

“The application site forms part of a wider development site that has been subject to numerous recent planning applications, which include:”

“Approved 25/00466/NMA Non-material amendment on approved application 22/00462/FUL to amend the description to erection of new buildings accommodating employment units (E(g) and B8), erection of new car showroom, car wash and valeting buildings, together with construction of new roads, parking, boundary enclosures, landscaping and associated infrastructure…”

“The site is located within the allocated employment area of White Lund Industrial Estate, which is allocated for development falling within use class (former) B1, B2 and B8. In addition to this, there have been previous consents on the wider site for employment uses, and some development has recently taken place in relation to internal roads and employment buildings immediately to the northeast of the site as approved through permission referenced 19/00507/VCN.”

“The subject site comprises brownfield land allocated for employment development within an employment/industrial area north of Mellishaw Lane. Considering the aims and objectives of the site allocation, the principle of delivering further employment/industrial development on this site falling within use classes E(g), B2 and B8 is consistent with the direction of Policy EC1 and EC4 and can be supported.”

“The key considerations in the assessment of this application are:”

“Principle of development • Flood risk and drainage • Highway and transport matters • Biodiversity • Residential amenity and pollution • Sustainable design • Employment and Skills Plan…”

“Economic Development Team Comments – The submitted Employment Skills Plan is unsuitable due to its speculative nature. A pre-commencement condition to secure an Employment Skills Plan is requested.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority No objection – Conditions relating to final surface water drainage strategy, construction drainage management plan, Operation and Maintenance Manual, and Verification Report requested.”

“Heaton With Oxcliffe Parish Council Supports the proposed development but provides comments regarding concerns relating to overdevelopment of the site and highway safety.”

“No observations have been received from members of the public.”

“It was proposed by Councillor Dave Brookes and seconded by Councillor Martin Bottoms:”

“That the application be approved subject to an amendment to condition 18 that it be prior to works above ground rather than prior to occupation and subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”

“Upon being put to the vote, 14 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”