Decision details

A report was presented on an application for the provision of a new single storey building to provide a children's respite care unit including vehicle parking, external lighting columns, fencing and landscaping following the demolition of the existing school at the North Cliffe School site, Blackburn Old Road, Great Harwood.

The report included the views of Hyndburn Borough Council, the County Council's Highways Development Control, the County Landscape Service, Natural England, the Lead Local Flood Authority, the County Ecology Advisor and 23 representations received comprising 14 objections, 3 in support and a further 7 providing general comments or requesting further information on the proposal.

The Development Management Officer presented a PowerPoint presentation showing an aerial view of the site and the nearest residential properties. The Committee was also shown an illustration of the proposed buildings and elevations and photographs of the site from various aspects including the access roads.

The Officer reported orally that since the committee report had been finalised, the county council had received an additional representation from a resident living on Blackburn Old Road. A summary of the representation together with officer advice, was set out in the Update Sheet circulated the meeting and attached at item 4 of the agenda.

Two residents addressed the committee including the secretary of the North Cliffe residents association and reiterated the concerns set out in the Update Sheet in relation to the following matters:

·  The application should be adjourned as the consultation with residents had been inadequate and residents were still waiting for a response to a Freedom of Information request.

·  There were a number of inconsistencies and omissions in the planning application. These omissions made it difficult for local residents to comment on the application.

·  The access to the site is very difficult.

·  The age and various disabilities of the residents of the respite care centre had changed. 

·  The Northcliffe residents association have asked for an extension to the consultation period as some of the residents are elderly.

·  There are concerns about the proposals for fencing, lighting and the height of the roof.

·  The proposal is in breach of policy DM14 in that this development is in a rural location and not accessible by public transport.

·  The proposal is in breach of policy DM26 as the proposals would result in loss of views for residents on Blackburn Old Road and loss of trees.

The secretary of the North Cliffe Residents Association recommended that if the application was to go ahead, the building height should be reduced by 2 metres, the fencing removed and the three parking spaces on Sunny View be retained.

Joanne Bjork, a parent, spoke in support of the application. She informed the Committee that her son was disabled and that respite care was extremely important both for her and her child. She also advised that the current building was old and tired and not fit for purpose.

In response to the concerns raised by the residents, the planning officer advised that consultation on the planning application had been undertaken in accordance with statutory provisions and that many representations had been received. There were some issues in the application relating to the trees to be removed, impact of the fencing and design of the lighting. These had been raised with the applicant and amended drawings submitted.  In relation to trees, only one of the trees on the eastern boundary now required removal.

Following further debate and questions to officers by the Members in relation to the consultation and parking on the access road, it was:

Resolved: That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report to the Committee.