Agenda item

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

The Planning Officer introduced the report and informed members that two letters of support for the application had been received after the completion of the committee report.

The Planning Officer asked for an amendment to be made to condition 3 of the report to include the word ‘car’.  Also an addition of a condition regarding the introduction of a new ticket office to ensure the design, size and materials were approved prior to commencement of the build.

The Planning Officer provided clarification regarding the number of trees to be removed from the car park. The tree survey stated that 35 trees would be removed but some immature trees that were close together had been counted as a group  and therefore a total of 60 trees would be removed.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

• Mr Stephen Vickers, The Devonshire Group, supporter
• Anne Robinson, Friends of the Peak District, objector
• Dr Peter Owens, objector
• Dr Elise Percifull, Agent

The Planning Officer confirmed that the applicant had been working with the Authority’s Transport  Planner and that work was ongoing on a Travel Plan for the development which, if approved, would be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of the work as per condition 15 of the report.

Members requested that electric hook up points be added to the Travel Plan as part of the development for the charging of electric vehicles.

Members were concerned about the requested increase in the number of days that the ground in front of the Bastion Wall would be used for parking (as per condition 3 of the report) and would prefer that no parking take place in this area of the grounds beyond the 11 days set out in the report and conditions

Members were concerned that the proposal before them would encourage more car journeys and requested the submission of a detailed travel plan in advance of approval of the scheme.

A motion to defer the application for further discussion with the applicant on issues of concern including a more strategic look at transport and other options through the completion of a travel plan, a report on the impact and benefits on nearby communities of the proposed highway changes and the landscape impact of the changes to the grounds and the impact of the removal of trees.  The motion to defer the application was moved and seconded. Members also requested clarification on where overspill parking would be if not between the Bastion Wall and the river.

The recommendation to defer the item for further discussion between Officers and the applicant and then return to committee was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To DEFER the application for further discussions between the applicant and Planning Officers on a strategic approach to transport and visitor management, the impact of the proposals on the historic parkland and landscape, particularly the impact of the removal of trees, and the impact and benefits of the proposals on local communities.

The meeting adjourned for a break at 11.30 and reconvened at 11.40.