The planning application was a proposal for the development of a decked car storage building. It would provide 949 parking spaces within a steel-framed decked structure consisting of seven levels and open parking on the rooftop. CRO Purfleet Port operated the Purfleet Thames Terminal which was a site for the import and export of principle vehicles, trailers and containers. The Terminal had a berth into the river and the port was looking to expand. It had acquired parts of land over the years and had recently been granted planning permission. The proposed development would support the function of the port so this was supported by NPPF and core development strategies.

The Principal Planner summarised that the proposal would increase vehicle storage capacity. This meant more vehicle movements on both sides of the road and an accumulative assessment was provided in the report to show this. There would be 118 two way HGV movements with a maximum of seven between AM and PM peaks. However, a condition of the previous granted planning permission for the site-wide proposal had shifted vehicle movements into the area. Vehicles would go via the Stonehouse Roundabout instead of residential roads. Highway Officers had no objection to this proposal; there were no objections in regards to air quality and there would be no significant impact on noise levels.

The Terminal was in a high risk flood area but had no objection from the Environment Agency and had passed the sequential test. There was a holding objection from the Flood Risk Manager regarding surface water drainage and the applicant had responded to this. The structure would be big but given the structures within the same area, it was considered to be harmless to the landscape. The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

The Chair opened the Committee to questions regarding the planning application 18/00404/FUL, CRO Purfleet Port.

Councillor Little queried the height of the building and whether it would affect the skyline of Thurrock or obstruct the view of the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) bridge which was in most of Thurrock’s leaflets. She also asked whether the colour of the building would fade into the background or be generic. The Principal Planner answered that it would be 30.4m to the highest deck as stated on p24 of the report. It would be slightly higher than High Speed 1 (HS1) viaduct by 18m. From the public viewpoint, it would appear to be of a greater distance but was not considered to have significant visual impact as assessed by the Council’s landscape officer. He added that the structure would be of steel and concrete but with the QE2 bridge, Unilever factory, HS1 viaduct and operations of the port, it was not considered a visual area given the landscape. The proposal was considered acceptable because of this.

The Agent, Mr Joost Rubens, representative of CRO Ports, was invited to the Committee to present his statement of support.

Councillor Little gave her support to this planning application as it would help businesses to move forward. The Chair agreed adding that the car storage would be in commercially recognised spots. This would be essential for Brexit.

It was proposed by Councillor Churchman and seconded by Councillor Little that the application be granted planning permission, subject to conditions, as per the Officer’s recommendations.

Councillor Rice was unable to vote in this application having arrived after the start of the discussion of this application.

For: Councillors Steve Liddiard, Colin Churchman, Leslie Gamester, Andrew Jefferies, Terry Piccolo, Susan Little and Sue Sammons

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

RESOLVED:

That the application be approved, subject to conditions.