Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests form and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee held on 10 August 2023.

None.

To RESOLVE that:

1)   in the event of changes being made to recommendations by the Committee, the task of formalising the wording of those changes is delegated to the Corporate Director Place along the broad lines indicated at the meeting; and

2)   in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Corporate Director Place is delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

3)   To note the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Development Committee and meeting guidance.

The Committee RESOLVED that:

1.            The procedure for hearing objections and meeting guidance be noted.

2.            In the event of changes being made to recommendations by the Committee, the task of formalising the wording of those changes be delegated to the Corporate Director, Place along the broad lines indicated at the meeting; and

3.            In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Corporate Director, Place be delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision

Nil Items.

Nil items.

Proposal: Proposed roof extension with the creation of an external terrace space with outdoor seating to existing restaurant and new plant.

Recommendation: Grant planning permission with conditions

This item was withdrawn at the request of planning officers.

PA/23/00719

Proposal: Provision of a new pedestrian entrance to the Rich Mix from Redchurch Street,  with construction of a new single-storey entrance pavilion in the rear yard, provision of outdoor seating, parking bays and relocation of existing plant.

Recommendation: Grant planning permission with conditions and planning obligations.

PA/23/00720

Proposal: Material Amendment sought to vary Condition No.7 (servicing and loading area), Condition No. 9 (access doors) and No. 10 (deliveries) to planning permission (Ref: PA/02/00876) granted 25/03/2004 for “Refurbishment of existing building to provide an arts centre (for the improvement of inter-cultural understanding) including provision of music, IT education, performing and visual arts, a new 3 screen cinema together with the erection of a rear five storey building and roof level enclosures”.

Recommendation: Grant planning permission with conditions

Update report was noted.

Paul Buckenham, Development Manager, introduced the application for provision of a new pedestrian entrance to the Rich Mix from Redchurch Street,  with construction of a new single-storey entrance pavilion in the rear yard, provision of outdoor seating, parking bays and relocation of existing plant.

Adam Hussain, Planning Officer, provided a presentation on the application. The Officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission.

At the invitation of the Chair, objections were raised to the committee, highlighting the noise that would be generated by an outside space and the impact of increased footfall to the local area.

At the invitation of the Chair, the agent for the applicant highlighted how the proposals will allow for accessibility elements to be installed, greater environmental impact within the building and allow for an increase of use to benefit to the community that Rich Mix serves.

Further to questions from the Committee, officers, and residents provided more details on the following elements of the application:

• What is the proposed amount of footfall predicted in the venue? The applicant confirmed that the aim is the return to the pre-covid levels of around 150,000 – 170,000 attendees annually. The proposals will help allow the Rich Mix to get back to those levels.
• How will the applicant allow for noise to be controlled when attendees visit and leave the venue? The applicant confirmed that there is a robust noise management plan in place to deal with visitors and noise.
• What noise levels have been experienced by residents and what action did the council take? Residents outlined the noise that has been experienced, including the air conditioning unit. Residents contacted the council and was supported by planning officers and environmental health, but it took effort to get concerns taken seriously.
• How confident are officers with the mitigation of the impact of noise from the venue? Officers confirmed that they are happy with the noise report and assessment that was submitted with the application, the noise report submitted by objectors was considered when making the officer recommendation. Noise Officers outlined the process around obtaining the noise levels and how this informs the officer recommendation.
• The Rich Mix has previous non-compliance with planning conditions, how does the applicant justify this? The applicant stated that the issues raised were 10 years ago and have been addressed and are not an issue for this application.

Members of the committee requested a site visit to understand the impact of noise and increased footfall. Members also requested an in-depth noise assessment. Officers advised that a site visit could be arranged if members voted to defer the application but stated that officers have provided an appropriately in depth noise report.

On a vote of 5 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention the Committee agreed to defer the application, pending a site visit.

Nil Item.