PDI centre relocation at Thurrock Football Club, Purfleet-on-Thames

What was proposed

The application sought to move the vehicle inspection centre and revise the car park under the approved plans condition.

“PROPOSAL: Application to vary condition 2 (approved plans condition) of planning permission ref 22/01672/FUL (Development of a vehicle Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre with associated hardstanding for parking spaces, a PDI Building, new access to include HGV turnaround, and a 2.4m high boundary fence.”

“This s73 planning application seeks for the variation of condition no. condition 2 (approved plans condition) of planning permission ref 22/01672/FUL (Development of a vehicle Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre with associated hardstanding for parking spaces, a PDI Building, new access to include HGV turnaround, and a 2.4m high boundary fence.”

Officer report

The site

The site contains a football stadium, training area and grassland, with the practice pitches in high-risk flood zone 3.

“All the site is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt (GB), as defined in the LDF Core Strategy, which also defines the site of the training pitches as a Local Nature Reserve. The site of the practice pitches is within the high-risk flood zone (Zone 3), although the football stadium and associated car park is at low risk of flooding (Zone 1). The northern boundary of the site immediately adjoins the Mardyke, defined by the Environment Agency as a ‘main river’.”

Officer report

Public views

One letter supported the application because approval would help enable the football stadium’s transfer and return to community use; no objections were received.

“We are awaiting the transfer of the existing football stadium area of the whole site from Group 1 Automotive to enable us to begin the work required to bring the stadium back into community use. The stadium has now been unused since March 2018.”

“We hope this application will be approved very shortly so the land transfer to the Club can take place and we can commence our preparatory work to help bring much-needed community football facilities back into use for boys, girls, men and women in the area as soon as possible.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard a statement from the applicant.

Members’ questions

Members asked about green belt status and why the centre was moving; officers said the site remained green belt and water-main issues had been resolved.

“Members queried the ‘greybelt’ status. Officers confirmed that it has not been re-assessed, and it is still considered greenbelt under the current wording within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).”

“Members sought clarity regarding the language used in the application. In the document it states it was moving because of pylons, however the speaker statement said due to water mains and sewage. It was confirmed that Essex and Suffolk have provided a water statement, and the issues has been resolved. Officers agreed to provide the statement to members and include it in the consultation.”

Minutes

The vote

Four councillors voted for approval, three voted against and one abstained.

“For (4): Councillors Fletcher, Cherry, Kelly, Liddiard Against (3): Councillors Sisterson, Jones, J Maney Abstain (1): Councillor Panjala…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was approved subject to a deed of variation and amended conditions, with refusal authorised if the deed was not completed within six months.

“Recommendations That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 16 of the report…”

“B) Conditions as amended below and if the freehold owner shall fail to complete, by deed, the relevant variations to the agreement, the Chief Planning Officer shall be authorised to REFUSE permission following the expiration of a 6-month period from the date of Planning Committee…”

Minutes