Agenda item

Application for commercial unit (use class E(g)(i, ii, iii) (outline application – access only.

Late items received after publication of main agenda:

Appraisal:-

Report Corrections/Additions

Paragraph 8.9

Whilst not altering the conclusions of this paragraph, the applicant and case officer have also approached the Councils Economic Development Officer in the past to ascertain if they were aware of suitable sites. Units of the right size were found in Barwell and Earl Shilton however they were reasonably old and dilapidated and thus it could have been assumed these were not have been suitable for the applicants needs. The discussions did not return any further results.

Paragraph 8.11

The nearest bus stop is at Desford Crossroads and not as mentioned within the reports as being in Desford village itself. The distance from the site access to Desford Crossroads south-west bound bus stop is approx. 750m which is within the CIHT guidance of 800m walk (10mins). The distance to the northeastern bound bus stop is 820m along a surfaced footpath from the site access. The Bus route 158 connects Nuneaton via Hinckley to Leicester on an hourly basis and does provide an option for accessing the site via more sustainable means. However, when length of the access drive from the site access with Leicester Lane, the walking distance would be increased by a further ~150m talking this above the 800m guidance and reducing the desirability for staff and visitors to access the site by bus.

Agent Correspondence

The applicant’s agent has advised that in terms of the commercial space, “the client has stipulated the following -

Criteria for high quality Factory Space

Our company operates high end state of the art CNC machines, these are the same as the units widely used in the manufacture of precision components for Formula 1 cars.

To achieve the tolerances that these machines are capable of the environment in which they are installed need to meet the following criteria:

Control of the environment.

It is important that the temperature and humidity of the factory space is controlled, this is due to multiple factors the key one being the expansion and contraction of the metal used in the construction of the machine, the current space occupied by Savage does not allow for this and results to the machines being run for an additional 2 hours a day in the early morning to “warm them up”.

This is unnecessary and the machines are wasting energy during this period, this adds additional energy costs and does not help our companies aim of reducing its Carbon Footprint and also the UK governments targets for emission’s.

Floor Surfaces

floor surfaces on which the CNC machines are located needs the be completely level to a very tight tolerance, as this forms the “datum” for the machine’s measurements.

Materials used in the construction of the floor are also an important factor, as the vibrations passed from machine to machine need to be minimised.

Based on the factors detailed above it is not easy to find an existing factory space that meets these criteria and will allow us to use our equipment efficiently and improve the tolerances that we currently able to achieve.”

Updated Availability Schedule (submitted by the agent on 27/08/24)

Agent Supporting Information (submitted by the agent on 27/08/274)

Recommendation:-

On 16 August 2024, the Applicant agreed to revise the proposed Planning Condition 04 to reduce the Sunday opening hours of the proposal from 12:00 to 22:00 PM to 12:00 to 20:00 PM.

Application for commercial unit (use class E(g)(i,ii,iii) (outline application – access only).

The agent and a ward councillor spoke on this application.

Notwithstanding the officer’s recommendation that permission be refused, members felt that the location was in a suitable location and there was a need for the use in that area. It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Green and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Planning permission be granted;

(ii)          The Head of Planning be granted delegated powers to determine the final detail of conditions.

At this juncture, Councillor Webber-Jones resumed his seat on the committee.