Convenience store at Monument Garage Ltd, Bigby Road, Brigg

What was proposed

The application sought to turn an existing car dealership into a convenience store, with ten external condensers, ten parking spaces and cycle racks.

“The neighbouring land uses to the west of the car dealership/showroom include a hand car wash and kitchen/bedroom showroom, with Baker Tilly UK to the east. To the front is the Monument Roundabout and to the rear residential properties on Princes Street. The building is of single-storey steel frame construction with a multipitch roof, and a large glazed frontage and brick elevation, part rendered.”

“External alterations The external alterations would include refurbishment of the existing glazed frontage to include automatic doors for improved accessibility. New branded signage and lighting would be installed in accordance with advertisement regulations. The pedestrian route would be improved and hard landscaping formed to create a safe and accessible path from the forecourt to the store entrance.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the access and parking were unsafe and the proposal could harm residential amenity through noise and disturbance.

“Public comments The concerns raised in the public comments have been addressed in this report. Conclusion The proposed retail shop would provide convenience facilities and would service the local community. The proposal would result in economic benefit through the provision of jobs and employment but would also provide social benefits to the local community.”

“The proposed access arrangements are not considered to provide safe and adequate access for all users, with the Highways department indicating they are not satisfied with the proposal as it would result in a cumulative impact on the highway network. Furthermore, the proposed parking arrangements are considered unacceptable to meet the anticipated needs of the operation.”

Officer report

Consultation and public views

Highways raised concerns about traffic, access and parking, while the town council and most public responses objected to congestion, safety, noise and heritage impacts.

“T1 Location of development T2 Access to development T19 Car parking provision and standards North Lincolnshire Core Strategy: CS2 Delivering more sustainable development CS3 Development limits CS5 Delivering quality design in North Lincolnshire CS14 Retail development CS19 Flood risk CS25 Promoting sustainable transport Housing and Employment Land Allocations Development Plan Document: TC1 Development in North Lincolnshire’s Town Centres…”

“TOWN COUNCIL Brigg Town Council objects to this application, raising the following concerns: • impacts on the neighbouring residential area • increased noise nuisance • vehicular congestion and traffic • the safety of road users and pedestrians • increased traffic • minimal parking facilities…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke for local residents, and Councillor Waltham said residents had valid concerns about the site’s effects on amenity.

The committee discussion

The objector highlighted possible crime, nuisance, conservation, traffic, accident and parking problems, while Councillor Waltham said any use should be appropriate and supported locally.

“An objector addressed the committee, stating that they lived directly opposite the proposal on Bigby Road, but they were speaking on behalf of many local residents. The objector stated that there had previously been objections to an earlier application for a liquor license, and that these concerns remained. These were primarily around the increased risk of issues with crime and disorder, public safety, and public nuisance and anti-social behaviour.”

“Cllr Waltham MBE stated that he was speaking on behalf of numerous residents who had approached him. Cllr Waltham stated that the residents had very valid concerns about the many potentially negative impacts on their amenity, particularly as the site was on a busy road. Cllr Waltham stated that, whilst he wanted to see a use for the site, it needed to be appropriate for the area and supported by residents.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Ross moved refusal and Councillor Patterson seconded it; the motion was carried.

“It was moved by Cllr C Ross and seconded by Cllr C Patterson –”

“That planning permission be refused in accordance with the recommendations contained within the officer’s report.”

Minutes

The decision and reasons

Planning permission was refused because the access and parking arrangements threatened highway safety and the development could cause unacceptable noise and disturbance to nearby homes.

“The development would have an unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenity as a result of noise and disturbance associated with movements to and from the site and from activities on site. Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that this impact can be successfully mitigated. Therefore, the development does not comply with policy DS1 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan and part 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Officer report