Agenda item

Change of use of 0.91ha of agricultural land including Barn 4 to drive thru phlebotomy (blood) testing unit (Use Class Ee), remodelled access, vehicle circulation space, parking, footpath link, dropped kerbs, landscaping and associated infrastructure at Magog Court.

By affirmation, the Committee agreed to the addition of two conditions, one regarding sheltered cycle storage and the other regarding an operational management plan. Officers were granted delegated authority to produce the wording for the conditions in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

By 8 votes to none, with 1 abstention, the Committee approved the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, and subject to the conditions, as laid out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development and amended by the Committee.

Councillor Peter Fane withdrew from the Committee, in line with his declaration of interest. The Committee agreed, by affirmation, to the appointment of Councillor Geoff Harvey as Vice-Chair for the duration of the item.

The Area Manager presented the report and provided update that an email from the objecting speaker had been circulated to Members and it and its contents had been published on the planning register. In response a question, the Area Manager, highlighting paragraphs 10.1-10.22 of the report, provided clarity on why the works carried out on site constituted a building which had implemented its use as an agricultural building. The Senior Planning Lawyer confirmed that the structure was a building in planning terms and that the change of use could go forward. Officers provided further clarity that:

·       Condition 17 ensured that the premises would be used for Class E(e) and no other purpose.

·       The Transport Assessment was based on the usage at the existing Newmarket Road site, the facility that the application was seeking to relocate.

·       A cycle store was included as part of the site plan, and that it would be appropriate to add a condition that required the submission and approval of details of covered cycle parking.

·       Given the use of the building proposed, officers did not consider the use of solar panels were appropriate for the proposal.

The Committee was addressed by Sarah Nicholas, of Cambridge Past, Present and Future, who objected to the application. The applicant, Carin Charlton (Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust), addressed the Committee in support of the applicant and, with support from Michael Hendry (agent of the applicant), answered Member questions. Members were advised that:

·       A drive through service had been identified as the best way to provide blood testing services to patients, and that there was need to relocate the current site.

·       A permanent facility would help the clinical staff streamline their service and measures such pre-booked appointments only would limit waiting times and associated impacts.

·       The facility was predominantly for NHS operations and patients would require referral from a GP or the Hospital to attend the facility.

·       The expected level of use was the same as the levels at the existing Newmarket Road site (approx. 300 patients per day).

·       Provision would be made for cycle, motorcycle and pedestrian access.

Councillor Greg Price of Great Shelford Parish Council addressed the Committee on behalf of the Parish Council, who had revised their support for the application and objected to the application due to highway safety concerns. Councillor Barbara Kettel of Stapleford Parish Council addressed the Committee on behalf of the Parish Council, who objected to the application. Councillor Peter Fane addressed the Committee as local Member and objected to the application. In response to a question, Councillor Fane clarified that he felt a change of use application was inappropriate for the site and that a full application should be brought forward.

In the debate, discussion was held over the status of the structure as a building and the commencement of the use. Whilst some Members held reservations, the Committee agreed that in planning terms the structure was a building and that the commencement of use had been proven, thus a full planning application was appropriate. Officers clarified that removal of permitted development rights for the rest of the farmland was outside of the remit of the application.

Increased traffic and impact on the highway were raised as a concern. Officers advised that, in order to limit the highway impact, a condition for an Operational Management Plan (OMP) could be included to secure details of pedestrian and cycle access and how many appointments would be made available per hour. The Committee also raised the need for the details of cycle parking to be secured.

By affirmation, the Committee agreed to the addition of two conditions requiring:

·       The submission and approval of the details an Operational Management Plan.

·       The submission and approval of the details of secured, covered cycle parking for use associated to the facility.

Officers were granted delegated authority to produce final wording of the conditions.

By 8 votes to none, with 1 abstention (Councillor Peter Sandford), the Committee approved the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, and subject to the conditions, as laid out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development and amended by the Committee.

Councillor Peter Fane rejoined the Committee.