Demolition of existing multi-story car park and clearance of site. Construction of replacement multi-story car park, 28no. residential (Class C3) apartments, and 5no. flexible units (Class E, F1, F2 and related Sui Generis uses).

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 56 above, Councillors Alexander and Smith had both declared an Interest in this application. They thereupon withdrew from the meeting and left the room whilst the Committee deliberated on this application and reached its decision.

Members were told that this application was before the Planning Committee on the basis that the applicant and owner of the site was Tendring District Council.

Officers made Members aware that the application sought the demolition of the existing multi-story car park and all other structures, to be replaced by a new multi-story car park providing 301 spaces, the erection of 28 affordable residential units and the erection of 1,330sqm of flexible commercial floorspace. Given that the site fell within the Settlement Development Boundary for Clacton-on-Sea, and was also an area prioritised for regeneration, the principle of development was acceptable. The proposed commercial uses might not necessarily be main town centre uses, but Officers believed that they would still be a boost to the commercial offering in the surrounding area.

The Committee was informed that Officers considered that the design, scale and layout was an acceptable response to the character and appearance of the area, and whilst there would be a degree of harm to the amenities of Number 39 Carnarvon Road, on balance that was not considered so significant that it warranted recommending a refusal. The residential units all met the technical housing space standards and provided for enough private amenity space, and Essex Highways Authority had raised no objections subject to conditions. The parking provision was also considered to be of an acceptable level.

Members were made aware that the proposed development would result in the loss of a Copper Beech tree, however, whilst unfortunate it would not have been feasible to retain it without significant revisions to the wider scheme. Furthermore, the proposed development included a significant increase of soft landscaping, and therefore on balance the wider benefits of the scheme were considered to outweigh the harm of the loss of that tree.

The Committee was also told that taking all the above into consideration, Officers had concluded that, whilst there were some minor harms as a result of the development, they were significantly outweighed by the benefits the scheme would generate.

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of approval subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Senior Planning Officer (MP) in respect of the application.

There was no update circulated to Members prior to the meeting in relation to this application.

Mike Carran, representing the applicant, spoke in support of this application.