Agenda item

This was an application for the installation and display of 11no. non-illuminated parking information signs at WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc, Gresham Drive, Newdale, Telford TF3 5ES.

This application had been deferred at the meeting of the Committee on 3 July 2019 to await the determination of the appeal against the decision to refuse planning permission for the installation of the associated automatic number plate recognition cameras. 

Councillor J Greenaway spoke against the application on behalf of Lawley & Overdale Parish Council who raised concerns regarding the impact the proposed restrictions would have on the vibrant small businesses and staff, the lack of alternative parking, recent rise in business rates and community events such as Lawley Fun Run and suggested that Wm Morrisons listen to the wishes of the local community.

Councillor M Boylan, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding the impact to residents, visitors and employees.  The car park did not belong to Wm Morrisons and it was a community car park to benefit the community and would force cars to park in surrounding residential areas and impact their quality of life.

Mr J Yorke and Ms P Fanthorpe, members of the public, expressed concerns regarding the impact on the community car park which would be seriously eroded as it served a diverse range of community interest groups, parking for staff and customers and would force business to leave.   Wm Morrisons had not put forward any evidence to show the car park was full at peak times and an on-site survey had taken place which showed that at peak times only 75% of the car park was in use.

The Planning Officer confirmed to Members the recent decision by the Planning Inspectorate which upheld the appeal for the ANPR camera on this site.  Previously an application for 23 signs had been refused and the application before members was to consider the visual amenity and public safety for the 11 proposed signs. 

The Legal Advisor informed Members that under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Paragraph 132 of the NPPF that the Council can only regulate the display of advertisements in the interests of amenity or public safety. He further clarified that among their amenity considerations, members could not include the content or subject matter of an advertisement..

During the debate, some Members felt that they had been put in a difficult position following the decision of the Planning Inspectorate and that signs had to be in place to advertise the ANPR camera and although they sympathised with the residents they were unable to overturn the Inspector’s decision and were only able to determine the application for 11 signs with reference to the interests of amenity or public safety.

On being put to the vote it was, by a majority:

RESOLVED – that in respect of planning application TWC/2019/0235 that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant advertisement consent subject to the conditions set out in the report (with the authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager).