Even though it’s election time, normal council work still goes on. And there’s an interesting planning application on this week’s list:
A planning application has just been submitted for a swim school in Rawreth Lane:
Application Reference:17/00181/FUL
Address Of Proposal:8 Imperial Park , Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, SS6 9RS
Proposal :Change Use Of Premises To Provide Swim School Business
You can view the application, and see what the applicant is aiming for, here.
However officers are recommending refusal – see their report on page 13 of this document.
Key paragraphs:
“No evidence has been provided to show that either the unit has beenvacant for an extended period of time with no interest expressed by anybusinesses falling under a B1/B2 use class or that the unit would nolonger be viable for a B1/B2 use class. The industrial estate has beendescribed as economically sustainable within the Council’s Corestrategy and specifically listed as an industrial park which is to beprotected and the existing uses retained. The change of use to aswimming facility under a D2 use class would therefore be contrary toboth Policy ED3 of the Core Strategy and DM32 of the DevelopmentManagement Plan.”
“It is further detailed within Policy DM32 that potential noise and lightpollution generated by proposed uses should be adequately mitigatedagainst. The application site is in relatively close proximity to residentialdwellings located to the east of the industrial park which couldpotentially be impacted by such aspects, with no further surroundingresidential units. It is considered that any potential impact could likelybe adequately restricted to an acceptable level by way of inclusion ofappropriate conditions, including the restriction of opening hours.”
“IMPERIAL PARK MANAGEMENT who run the industrial estate, madethe following comment:We would inform you that Unit 8 and all the Units on Imperial Park do nothave any allocated parking spaces and that anything attracting more vehiclesto the estate will worsen an already poor parking situation.
This is an industrial estate with vehicles including large lorries coming andgoing. Not the right environment for children to be around. Added to the factthat the main security gates close at 7pm weekdays and 12pm Sundays. Theparking facilities are for units owners and workers only and are at full stretchright now, therefore we would ask that you consider these facts when makingyour decision.”
It will be refused unless any Councillor calls it in by Wednesday at 1 PM.