Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

The Service Director (Planning Services) presented a report with regard to the proposed erection of replacement glasshouses and associated water storage tanks at Tower Nursery, Netherhall Road, Roydon

Members were advised that the application had been referred to the Committee for determination as it proposed the replacement of a commercial glasshouse that had a floor area in excess of 10,000 sq.m and was therefore required to be reported directly to the Committee in accordance with Article 10 (District Development Management Committee and Area Plans Sub-Committees) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Service Director (Planning Services) reported that the application site comprised a parcel of land to the east of Netherhall Road, to the north of the main settlement of Nazeing. Members noted that the site was currently in horticultural use as part of Tower Nursery and that the majority of its extent was comprised of glasshouses. The Committee was advised that Tower Nursery was mainly used for the cultivation of tomatoes which were then sold commercially. The Service Director (Planning Services) reported that the application site was located within the boundary of the Metropolitan Green Belt, but was not situated in a Conservation Area.

The Service Director (Planning Services) advised the Committee that the main issues for consideration in respect of the application were the potential impact of the development on the Green Belt, the local landscape, the living conditions of neighbours and the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation. However, the Committee was advised that the proposal was not considered to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, would not harm the living conditions of neighbours or the character or appearance of the landscape and fulfilled all other policies contained within the Development Plan, and that it was therefore recommended that planning permission should be granted.

RESOLVED:

That planning application EPF/1583/18 be granted, subject to the completion within six months of a Section 106 Agreement to secure appropriate financial contributions towards the mitigation of air pollution impacts on the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation, and to the following planning conditions:

(a)       The development hereby permitted must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this notice. Reason: To comply with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended);

(b)       The development hereby permitted will be completed strictly in accordance with the approved drawings no’s: 3828/1, 18-K-079 and SK12 Rev B;

(c)       Materials to be used for the external finishes of the proposed development shall match those contained within the application submission documents, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority;

(d)       Wheel washing or other cleaning facilities for vehicles leaving the site during construction works shall be installed and utilised to clean vehicles immediately before leaving the site. Any mud or other material deposited on nearby roads as a result of the development shall be removed; and

(e)       The development shall be carried out in accordance with the flood risk assessment (EAS, Job number:837 Document Ref: Tower Nursery FRA May 2018) and drainage strategy submitted with the application unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority; and

(f)        All construction/demolition works and ancillary operations, including vehicle movement on site which are audible at the boundary of noise sensitive premises, shall only take place between the hours of 07.30 to 18.30 Monday to Friday and 08.00 to 13.00 hours on Saturday, and at no time during Sundays and Public/Bank Holidays unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.