The application sought planning permission for the construction of a two storey office building to be positioned towards the South West corner boundary, a service centre building located centrally in the site and a wash bay building site to the south east corner of the site. HGV parking would be provided within the site. The site was located within the Green Belt but, while the buildings would constitute inappropriate development, there had been larger buildings on site in the recent past and the applicant had put forward a list of ‘Very Special Circumstances’.  It was the Officer’s assessment that these Very Special Circumstances outweighed any harm to the Green Belt and the application was therefore recommended for approval.

Councillor Redsell asked the Principal Planning Officer to clarify whether there would be more space available for HGV parking.  The proposal would offer slightly less space for HGV parking, as there would be a building to be situated in the centre of the site, however there were not currently clearly marked out parking bays but the proposal included 41 parking bays for HGVs which would be laid out as per the plan.  Councillor Redsell asked where the additional lorries currently using the site would go and expressed concern that it may cause issues along the Manorway.  The Committee heard that the site was not currently being used to its full potential and permission had been granted for another lorry parking site adjacent the entrance to the London Gateway which was soon to be used following the recent discharge of planning conditions.

Councillor Piccolo asked if the site was that which DP World was currently using for lorries which were too early for their arrival slot.  Officers could not confirm this; however it was the only site other than the logistics park itself.  Councillor Piccolo stated that there had previously been issues along the Manorway around HGVs parking along unused slip roads and damaging curb sides.  This had ceased recently but he was concerned that the problem could resurface if the site no longer provided a free parking area for these HGVs.

Councillor Hamilton asked if there were any reason why the previous buildings had been demolished prior to this application, given that approval would have been more likely if they were still on site.  There was no specific reason, the buildings had been demolished several years ago and now this application had been presented.  Councillor Hamilton continued to ask if there was a difference between servicing and repairs, and if was likely that there would be a possibility for drivers to park overnight and use facilities to avoid them parking elsewhere along the highway.  The Principal Planning Officer outlined that if servicing highlighted a serious repair was required overnight parking would be an option however it would be an ancillary use of the site and was not expected to happen on a regular basis. 

Councillor Jones noted that the site had not been used to its full potential under its temporary permission.  The proposed use would offer a much needed facility to enhance the area, particularly with the Thames Gateway and other developments to come in the area.  He accepted the site lay within the Green Belt however there had been buildings and hard standings on the site for 70 years and so the proposal was no issue to him.  He felt the proposal would be beneficial for the future of the area.

Councillor Churchman echoed these views.  He felt the design of the building was good and slightly smaller than the previous buildings on site, and added that more was being done with regards to flood lighting and nesting birds.  He expressed support for the scheme.

Councillor Piccolo stated that, as the local Ward Councillor, his only concern was the displacement of HGV parking.  He added that, in the long run, the proposal would provide a widely required facility, given the amount of lorries that would be in the area and could prevent obstructions due to broken down HGVs along the side of the highway.  He was generally happy with the application, bar the risk of displacement.

Councillor Redsell agreed that the displacement may cause a small problem before the other proposed lorry park opened and requested those concerns be noted when referring the application to the Secretary of State.

It was proposed by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Piccolo that the application be approved subject to referral to the Secretary of State (Planning Casework Unit) and conditions.

For:                  Councillors Steve Liddiard (Vice-Chair in the Chair), Colin Churchman, Graham Hamilton, Roy Jones, Terry Piccolo, Graham Snell and Joy Redsell.

Against:           (0)

Abstain:           (0)