Agenda item

Construction of a 168 bedroom hotel with ancillary facilities associated access gates car parking (including reconfigured conference centre car parking) cycle parking and landscaping.

By eight votes to three, the Planning Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application subject to

1.    The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing a commuted sum towards maintenance of the ‘keep clear’ markings on the M11 Junction 10 roundabout; and

2.    The Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Cahn, Fane, Harvey, Hawkins, Heylings, Milnes and Rippeth voted in favore. Councillors Roberts, Heather Williams and Richard Williams voted against.)

The case officer drew the Committee’s attention to sections 66 and 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and to three further letters of representation received since publication of the agenda and sent direct to Members. She reminded Members that they must determine the application in the context of the Development Plan and that the National Planning Policy Framework was a material consideration. The Civil Aviation Authority was satisfied that the proposal did not pose a hazard to aircraft.

Sophie Gregorios Pippas (objector) and John Brown (representing the Imperial War Museum) addressed the meeting.

Officers confirmed the figures forming part of the basis for the application.

Councillor Heather Williams accepted the location and principle of development, but expressed concern about the proposal’s design and appearance in the context of Policy E/7 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018, and the absence of a viability assessment. The Development Manager (Strategic Sites) explained that Policy E/7 did not require a viability assessment.

Councillor Deborah Roberts did not agree that the principle of development had been established. She said that the hotel would be in an inappropriate location, was speculative in nature and too big, and was out of character with its surroundings. Councillor Roberts comcluded that there was insufficient public benefit in the proposal.

Councillor Dr. Richard Williams objected on three grounds: the lack of cycle access, impact of the junction with the Imperial War Museum, and the travel plan being unworkable because there was no turning space for buses at Whittlesford railway station. He pointed out that there was no evidence to support the need for a 168-bedroom hotel.

While Councillor Brian Milnes was also disappointed by the lack of proper cycleways, he said that there was a strong case for linking the hotel with the economic viability of the Imperial War Museum. For Councillor Milnes, the hotel’s visual appearance was not an issue.

Councillor Peter Fane supported the economic arguments for a hotel, which should form part of a long-term Masterplan. He noted that concern had been expressed about the number of bedrooms in the hotel, but he considered this to be reasonable in relation to future need. Councillor Fane was satisfied that the applicant had successfully made a case for a 168-bedroom hotel in the proposed location.

Councillor Martin Cahn took the view that reducing the number of bedrooms to 120, which had been suggested, would not reduce the overall impact.

The Development Manager (Strategic Sites) highlighted Policies SC/3 and E/20 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018.

Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins commended the application for its potential to help the District’s economic recovery as it emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic.

For Councillor Geoff Harvey, the benefit to tourism and leisure was significant. He said that the design of the hotel should protect future residents of it from noise from the airfield.

The Chair said heritage was a valid consideration.

By eight votes to three, the Planning Committee gave officersdelegated authority to approve the application subject to

1.    The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing a commuted sum towards maintenance of the ‘keep clear’ markings on the M11 Junction 10 roundabout; and

2.    The Conditions and Informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

(Councillors Henry Batchelor, Cahn, Fane, Harvey, Hawkins, Heylings, Milnes and Rippeth voted in favour. Councillors Roberts, Heather Williams and Richard Williams voted against.)