Engineering centre and units at Rougham Tower Avenue, Rougham

What was proposed

The hybrid application sought a manufacturing and engineering centre with a café and conference facility, plus outline permission for further units.

“Ward: Rougham Proposal: Hybrid planning application - a. Full planning application - One Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering centre (use class E(g) i, ii and iii) with ancillary cafe and conference facility with associated landscaping and parking b. Outline planning application (means of access to be considered) Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering units (use class E(g) i, ii, and iii) with associated landscaping and parking…”

“The application submitted represents a hybrid application, whereby full planning permission is sought for an advanced manufacturing and engineering centre with ancillary café and conference facility, with associated landscaping and parking. Furthermore, outline planning permission is also sought for further advanced manufacturing and engineering units with associated landscaping and parking, whereby just the means of access is to be considered at this stage.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is within Suffolk Business Park, east of Fred Castle Way, south of Rougham Tower Avenue and partly within Rougham Airfield.

“The application site is situated within Suffolk Business Park, south of Rougham Tower Avenue, otherwise known as the Eastern Relief Road (ERR), east of Fred Castle Way and west of Woodlands Road. The site also straddles land within the Rougham Airfield, situated within designated countryside to the north.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for an agricultural dealership, associated facilities and a new access road was granted in January 2019.

“DC/18/0034/FUL Planning Application - (i) construction of agricultural dealership building with associated offices, servicing and repairs of agricultural machinery, parking, access, cleaning facility and outside storage and display areas of agricultural machinery for sale (sui generis use) and (ii) construction of new access road with cycle ways and footpaths, pumping station, substation and associated landscaping, as amended by plans and documents rec.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council supported the proposal but raised concerns about cycling, parking and deliveries.

“Anglian Water: Following receipt of additional information, no objections are raised subject to the recommended conditions.”

“Rougham Parish Council: Support - :Whilst we welcome the proposal, we note the following; The cycle route needs to continue to the south or a safe access to the carriageway is required. The positioning of the building has split the parking that requires drivers to make a decision close to the access which could cause queuing onto the highway. The large access doors to the rear of the building do not align with the access/parking arrangement.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The applicant spoke in support, and the ward member raised cycle connections and asked about routing construction traffic away from residential areas.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application as proposed by the supporting councillor and seconded by another member.

“Councillor David Smith spoke in support of the scheme and proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation and inclusive of the amended and additional conditions. This was duly seconded by Councillor Susan Glossop who likewise commended the project.”

“On being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous it was resolved that…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to completing a Section 106 Agreement and complying with the listed conditions.

“Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes