Agenda item

It was noted that Members had visited the site on the previous day.

The Planning officer reported that a further 11 letters of representation had been received since the report was written and one petition signed by 62 individuals.  Of these representations nine were objections, one was an additional reason, one was a new supporter and one made general comments.  No new issues had been raised. 

The petition received stated that the signatories called ‘upon the Peak Park Planning Committee to reject the Severn Trent Water planning application 1205 regarding the proposed new building development at the Fairholmes visitor site’. It also stated that they did support ‘improvements to the toilets, a new changing placesfacility and a new home for the Dambusters story but as an extension of the existing building’ and that they objected to ‘a 60 cover cafe on the grounds of insufficient infrastructure in respect of road capacity for what would be the expected additional traffic generation’.

A letter had also been received from the local MP which stated no objections to the visitor centre and museum but did state concerns regarding traffic management and accessibility of the site.

The planning officer also reported that the applicants had started actions to repaint the yellow no parking lines  on Derwent Lane and had obtained a commitment from the County Council to properly enforce the clearway along Derwent Lane and on the A57 ; this would be done for 6 months and then reviewed by the County Council.  It was proposed that an additional Grampian condition could require a sign to be put out at the southern end of Derwent Lane, near the A57, on busy days to indicate the car park at the site was full and visitors could be directed to use the bus turnaround circle and be diverted to Heatherdene car park. 

The following persons spoke under the public participations at meetings scheme:

·         Gillian Scotford, Accessible Derbyshire, Supporter

·         Christine Woodhead, Local resident, Objector

·         Margaret Wheatley, Local resident, Objector

·         Andrew Wheatley, Local resident, Objector

·         Peter Wareham, Objector

·         Jan Cubison, Local resident, Objector

·         Anne Robinson, Local resident, Objector

·         William Middleton, Derwent and Hope Woodlands Parish Council, Objector

·         Abdou Laye, Local resident, Supporter

·         Gareth Smith, Planning Manager, Severn Trent Water, Applicant

Cllr Mrs K Potter declared a personal interest as Accessible Derbyshire had been the Local Joint Committee annual charity for the past year and Members had contributed to donations.

In response to a Member’s query the Director of Conservation and Planning stated that the production of the supplementary planning document (SPD) regarding Recreation Hubs had been delayed due to other priorities including the Development Management DPD.  The wording of paragraph 104 of the report was slightly confusing as it referred to the SPD being relatively advanced.  However, the paragraph did state that little weight should be given to the SPD.  It was stated that the proposals were in accordance with policy RT1. The Director explained the application of RT1 in this instance.

Members were concerned about the traffic problems, the impacts on the local community, the lack of sustainable transport, whether or not there was a need for a large cafe and the lateness of engagement with the local community by the applicant. 

A motion for deferral for discussions with the applicant to consider a reduced sized café, and improved traffic management measures was moved and seconded.

It was noted that if the applicants were willing, the Authority could be involved in working with them, the local community and the Parish Council to look for solutions to the transport and parking issues at the site and in the valley.

The motion for deferral was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To DEFER the application pending further discussions with the applicants regarding a reduced sized café and shelter, extension of existing building instead of a new building and improved traffic management measures.