Bailing shed refurbishment at West Suffolk Council Depot, Olding Road, Bury St Edmunds

What was proposed

The application proposed refurbishing the bailing shed, removing external structures, replacing fencing, adding doors, rooflights and solar panels.

“Ward: Minden Proposal: Planning application - a. recladding and reroofing of existing bailing shed b. demolition of external structures c. replacement perimeter fencing d. two roller shutter doors e. three personnel doors e. six rooflights f. roof mounted solar panels…”

“Planning permission is sought for the recladding and reroofing of the existing bailing shed, including two roller shutter doors, three personnel doors, six rooflights and roof mounted solar panels. Planning permission is also sought for the demolition of external structures and replacement perimeter fencing.”

Officer report

Site and earlier planning

The disused depot lies within Bury St Edmunds’ settlement boundary and previously operated as a West Suffolk Council depot.

“The application site is situated at Olding Road, within the settlement boundary for Bury St. Edmunds. The application site is currently disused, previously operating as a depot for West Suffolk Council, with the proposal comprising of the demolition of outbuildings recladding and alteration to the bailing shed and associated works.”

“DC/19/2335/HYB Hybrid Planning Application - 1) Planning Application - Alter and extend existing warehouse/depot to create a new public/private sector hub with new sports and leisure facilities including new energy centre, surface car parks, a multi-storey car park, sports pavilion, associated landscaping and Application Granted 23 December 2021”

Officer report

Who spoke

A West Suffolk Council applicant representative spoke in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed site access and the site’s monetary value, while the chair said alternative uses were not relevant to this application.

“Councillor Jim Thorndyke posed a question in relation to site access which was clarified by the Senior Planning Officer.”

“Councillor Andy Neal made comments on the monetary value of the site and referenced the Local Government Reorganisation of Suffolk. The Chair reminded Councillor Neal that the Planning Authority had a duty to determine the application before them and alternative uses of the site were not a consideration for the Committee.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee approved the motion proposed by Councillor Jon London and seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke, with 11 votes for and 2 abstentions.

“Councillor Jon London proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation. This was duly seconded by Councillor Jim Thorndyke.”

“Upon being put to the vote and with 11 voting for the motion and 2 abstentions, it was resolved that…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering commencement, approved plans, ecology, landscaping, contamination and construction hours.

“The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents. All mitigation measures and/or works shall be carried out in accordance with the details contained in Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (ADAS, April 2023) for the buildings contained within the red line boundary as already submitted with the planning application and agreed in principle with the local…”

“Any retained trees removed, dying or becoming seriously damaged or diseased within five years of commencement shall be replaced within the first available planting season thereafter with planting of similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent for any variation. The works shall be completed in accordance with the approved plans and in accordance with a timetable to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority. 6.”

Minutes