Agenda item

            That planning permission be granted subject to:-

- the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning;

- the conditions reported in the late observations including a Section 106 obligation to fund a Traffic Regulation Order and traffic calming measures; 

- submission of a framework and full travel plan; and

- an additional condition requiring cycling provision within the site.

After the vote had been taken, Councillor Bithell returned to the meeting.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

                        The officer detailed the background to the report and referred Members to the late observations where comments of the Head of Assets and Transportation were reported.  The officer suggested that a framework also be included along with an additional condition for a scheme for cycling provision.  The proposal which would accommodate 700 students would be contemporary in design and would also include parking provision on site.

            Councillor Ian Dunbar proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He thanked the officer for the report for the long awaited development for the post 16 education centre on the site which was currently a surplus Coleg Cambria sports field.  He referred to the new access off Golftyn Lane and said that the proposal would create a centre of excellence that students would want to attend. 

            Councillor Derek Butler welcomed the application but referred to highways issues which were being investigated.  Councillor Chris Bithell said that concerns had been expressed about parking on the highway but this application included parking on site so would alleviate the concerns raised.  Councillor Richard Jones felt that the proposals did not accord with the Council’s plan for Lifelong Learning and suggested that the application could not be approved because of this.  He also queried why the Lifelong Learning Directorate had not been consulted on the proposals and suggested that the application be deferred.  The Democracy & Governance Manager advised that whether the application complied with Lifelong Learning policy should not concern the Committee and added that the application should be considered on its planning merits.  Councillor Bithell responded that the proposal was in line with Lifelong Learning policy and that discussions had taken place as part of the Hub Task and Finish Group.  He added that a report on the proposal was being submitted to the meeting of the Lifelong Learning Overview & Scrutiny Committee the following day. 

            In response to the comments made, the officer said that it was not a requirement for the applicant to consult with Lifelong Learning Directorate on the application.  However, he had spoken to Head of Development & Resources who was in support of the scheme. 

            Councillor Jones queried why application 6.1 had been deferred because consultation had not been undertaken when he had been advised that this application could not be deferred because Lifelong Learning had not been consulted.  The Democracy & Governance Manager responded that application 6.1 had been deferred to allow the public to be made aware of plans for the application but it was not necessary to consult with Lifelong Learning on this application and therefore the application should not be deferred to allow consultation with the directorate. 

            In summing up, Councillor Ian Dunbar said that the development would complement the 21^st Century School programme and would be a centre of excellence. 

            Prior to the vote, Councillor Bithell left the meeting.  On being put to the vote, the application was approved. 

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be granted subject to:-

- the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning;

- the conditions reported in the late observations including a Section 106 obligation to fund a Traffic Regulation Order and traffic calming measures; 

- submission of a framework and full travel plan; and

- an additional condition requiring cycling provision within the site.

After the vote had been taken, Councillor Bithell returned to the meeting.