Veterinary practice extension at Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells

What was proposed

A single-storey east-side extension would provide two additional consulting rooms for the veterinary practice.

“This application proposes a single storey extension on the east side of the building on land which is currently a service yard. The extension would measure 4.5 metres by 8.5 metres to facilitate 2 extra consulting rooms. The application is required to be determined by Northern Area Development management Committee and Malvern Hills District Council are the land owners.”

Officer report

The site

The practice occupies a business-park unit south of Tenbury Wells, beside homes and rising agricultural land.

“Teme Veterinary Practice currently occupies unit D on Tenbury Wells Business Park which is located to the south of Tenbury Wells on the edge of the settlement. Access to the business park is from the southern side of the B4214 where the internal estate road provides vehicular access. The business park provides for a range of existing commercial uses including a waste processing centre.”

“Residential dwellings are located adjoining the site to the west and are mostly separated from the site by an existing tree screen. Agricultural land rises steeply to the southern boundary where a recent planning appeal sought residential development…”

Officer report

Planning history

Earlier applications covered business uses, a veterinary surgery, nearby industrial units and other commercial development at the business park.

“97/00810/TEN. Erection of four high tech units built within one building for class B1 use.. Units A - D Clarkes Meadow, Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells Business Park, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8FA. T78. Dec 9 1997”

“09/01641/FUL. Change of use from light industrial (B1) to a veterinary surgery. Unit D, Tenbury Business Park, Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8FA. APL. Feb 2 2010”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the expansion acceptable in principle, well designed, harmless to neighbours, safe for highways and drainage, and sustainable overall.

“The uses and expansion of the veterinary practice would fall within Class E – Commercial, business and service. The veterinary practice has been established for a number of years and has an additional branch in Ludlow. As a commercial use on the business park the principle of the expansion of the premises in this sustainable location is considered to be acceptable subject to further detailed policy and technical assessment.”

“The site is located in the EA defined Flood Zone 1 (Land having a less than 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river flooding). The Business Park is currently served by existing public surface and foul drainage systems. The applicant has submitted a Water Management Plan. Surface water from the extension’s roof will be collected and discharged via a gutter and downpipe system to the existing on site mains system.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council supported the proposal, regulatory services raised no objection, highways supported it with conditions, and drainage officers raised no objection subject to a condition.

“Worcestershire County Council acting in its role as the Highway Authority has undertaken a full assessment of this planning application. Based on the appraisal of the development proposals, the Transport Planning and Development Management Team Leader on behalf of the County Council, under Article 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order, 2015 has no objection subject to conditions.”

“Based on the above and review of the additional information, the Highway Authority consider that the proposal is acceptable, and we therefore recommend no objection subject to the conditions listed below.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor and three other councillors spoke, while the parish council, an objector, the applicant and the agent did not speak.

Committee discussion

Members heard that the recommendation included water-management details and that a construction management condition was unnecessary for this small development.

“Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8FA include a condition on the implementation of the details set out in the submitted Water Management Statement.”

“Simon Jones, further clarified that the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) condition, recommended by the County Highway Authority, was considered unnecessary given the scale of the proposed development.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Bruton proposed approval, Councillor Jones-Williams seconded it, and members voted unanimously in favour.

“A motion to APPROVE planning permission, in line with officer recommendation, was proposed by Councillor L Bruton, seconded by Councillor B Jones- Williams and unanimously…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved in line with the officer recommendation, with an additional water-management condition.

“Additional Condition: Prior to the first use/occupation of the development hereby permitted, the details set out in the submitted Water Management Statement shall be fully implemented and remain thereafter.”

Minutes