Address:       Former Goods Transport Site, 7 Bedford Road and 1 and 2 Salford Road Brogborough (nearest postcode MK43 0XX).    

Site clearance and erection of a warehouse and distribution facility (Use Class B8) with ancillary offices, including new vehicular and pedestrian access, parking, internal access roads and service yard, external lighting, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works.

Applicant:     Prologis UK Limited

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/18/04119/FULL for a site clearance and erection of a warehouse and distribution facility (Use Class B8) with ancillary offices, including new vehicular and pedestrian access, parking, internal access roads and service yard, external lighting, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works at Former Goods Transport Site, 7 Bedford Road and 1 and 2 Salford Road, Brogborough (nearest postcode MK43 0XX).

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional consultation/publicity responses/additional comments/additional/amended conditions and additional informatives as set out in the Late Sheet as well as representations from public speakers.

The public speakers included a representation in objection from Parish Councillor Maria Spearing and a representation from the agents for the applicant in support from John Bowles and Oliver Bycroft.

Before considering this item, Councillor Clark made a declaration that she had met the developer Prologis to discuss issues and was present at a Parish Council meeting where the developer gave a presentation. It was noted that she had not expressed an opinion on their application and would be present for discussion and voting. Councillor Matthews had also attended the briefing and did not express an opinion on the application.

Committee Members discussed the following points:

•           The Parish Council raised concerns about light, noise and air pollution arising from the application. The planning officer responded that these issues have been assessed by the applicant’s professional consultants and those reports have been assessed by the Council’s pollution team who have not asked for anything else other than the conditions stated in the officer’s report.

•           Concerns over increased HGV movements were discussed, it was noted that the Highways Officer had stated that the increased movements would equate to 0.05% and that was not considered a severe impact.

•           It was noted that the application will provide improved gateway features to the village, including improved footways, cycle ways and a toucan crossing across Bedford Road at the junction with the A507 and Salford Road. Members also requested a zebra crossing be provided within Brogborough village and agreed that along with the proposed civilisation of the village gateway, signage could be added to direct HGVs to the correct way to enter and exit the site away from the village - of which the developer could contribute towards. A member reported there will be a HGV ban through the village and this could be additionally signed and would alleviate traffic concerns. When discussing the enforcement of the HGV ban, as well as a reporting service, it was suggested ANPR could be utilised.

•           A Member raised concern over the number of staff per square footage being very low and that it did not bring much employment to the area and that the building that the prospective tenant would leave could be left vacant. It was noted that the building being vacated already has an applicant interested.

•           A Ward member made a representation detailing concerns about the capacity of Junction 13, the over population of the small community with warehousing and as this area is not considered a village, it is subject to a 40mph speed limit. It was also reported that there are no regular bus service to the area that would be suitable for prospective employees of the application.

•           The Highways Officer noted that a zebra crossing was not possible on the road due to its 40mph speed limit, however a puffin crossing could be used. Members discussed ways a 30mph could be imposed. The Highways officer had no concerns relating to junction 13 or HGVs entering traffic at the traffic lights from the application site. He noted there is a condition to quantify access arrangements within the report.

•           Members agreed to move as set out with the additions of conditions or informatives to consider yellow boxes to alleviate traffic flow issues, investigate the use of ANPR to aid the HGV ban, to consider additional signage to direct lorries correctly away from the village, investigate the use of red signage, investigate 30mph speed limit (with required highways engineering) and providing a zebra crossing in Brogborough, to close all laybys other than those by the shop for cars and buses only, all  to be worded appropriately by the officers and added to the application.

•           The Planning Officer stated that they would consider whether conditions or informatives would be the best way to address the additional requirements and would seek agreement with the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Portfolio Holder and the Ward Member.

On being put to the vote for APPROVAL, 7 voted in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

That the Planning Application No. CB/18/04119/FULL at Former Goods Transport Site, 7 Bedford Road and 1 and 2 Salford Road, Brogborough (nearest postcode MK43 0XX), be approved as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.