Agenda item

The Head of Development reported that this application sought permission for a replacement public car park comprising ground floor and four decks (G+4), including new lighting and public conveniences.   A total of 517 parking spaces, including:  12 accessible bays; 11 parent and child bays; and eight electric vehicle charging bays.  The car park could have the same footprint and entrance / exit point as the current car park.  There would be three stair cores and two passenger lifts.  A total of eight cycle hoops, in two locations, were included in the proposal.

A similar application DC/17/2509 for a G+3 car park had also been submitted for consideration by this Committee.

Amended plans had been submitted to address concerns regarding the proposed external design.  Amendments included a hydroponic ‘living wall’ covering the primary stair core, amended cladding and ground floor planters.

The application site was in the centre of Horsham, close to amenities, and was a 1980s multi storey car park for 330 vehicles. It was close to several residential and commercial buildings, including a number of Grade II listed buildings, and faced Piries Place, which was being redeveloped.

Details of relevant government and council policies, and relevant planning history, as contained within the report, were noted by the Committee. 

The responses from statutory internal and external consultees to the original proposal and to the further consultation on amended plans, as contained within the report, were considered by the Committee. Denne Neighbourhood Council and Forest Neighbourhood Council had both commented on the proposal. Horsham District Cycling Forum and the Horsham Society both objected to the original proposal. Two letters of objection had been received, and an additional letter of objection had been received in response to the amended plans. 

An addendum to the report advised Members of additional consultation responses comprising further objections from the Horsham Society and the Horsham District Cycle Forum, and an objection from Denne Neighbourhood Council.  Additional supporting information from the applicant in response to points raised was included in the addendum.

One member of the public spoke in objection to the proposal and the applicant’s agent addressed the Committee in support.  A representative of the Neighbourhood Council spoke in objection to the proposal.

Members considered the officer’s planning assessment which indicated that the key issues for consideration in determining the proposal were: the principle of development; scale and layout; impact on the visual amenity and character of the area; the historic environment; appearance and landscaping; and highways and access.

Members supported the redevelopment in principle and balanced the benefits of the car park in supporting the vitality of the town centre against the harm to the amenity of adjacent residents.  Whilst the amendments to the design were generally welcomed, Members were concerned that the living wall and raised planters could cause maintenance issues   Members also expressed concern that the proposed number of toilets was insufficient, and more carpark pay stations should be installed.

It was agreed that an Informative would be submitted to the applicant regarding the provision of toilets and car park pay stations. The Director of Planning, Economic Development & Property confirmed that these concerns, in addition to those regarding the living wall, would be taken into consideration by the applicant. 

RESOLVED

That planning application DC/17/2511 be granted subject to the conditions and reasons as reported.