Minutes

Councillor G. Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services, welcomed representatives on Catcliffe Parish Council to the meeting.

The representatives from Catcliffe Parish Council raised their concerns with regard to application RB2004/0974 (Outline application for an ambulance service station and residential development including details of the means of access at land at Poplar Way, Catcliffe) relating to the access point off Poplar Way, height and mass of the proposed ambulance service station, hours of operation, vehicle movements and the impact on adjacent residential amenity by overlooking and overshadowing.

The Head of Planning and Transportation explained that an invitation had been offered to the applicant to discuss his application, but a view was not taken on the access at that time.  Since then the application had been submitted and was being looked at by the Highway Engineers.  A decision had not yet been made as to whether the access indicated was suitable to serve this development.

The Head of Planning and Transportation also confirmed that should this application be approved, then the decision would have to be referred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a departure as the land was allocated retail in the Unitary Development Plan.

The representatives from Catcliffe Parish Council pointed out that they were not objecting to the principle of an ambulance garage and maintenance station, but the access point, particularly the “No Entry” and the height and mass of the proposed building given that it would be sited opposite old aged persons’ bungalows.

The Head of Planning and Transportation confirmed that a transport assessment would demonstrate vehicle movements on the local network which could lead to an alternative access for the residential development being considered.

Councillor Littleboy, Ward Member, and the representatives from Catcliffe Parish Council were led to believe that the original application indicated landscaping on the area of the application.

The Head of Planning and Transportation agreed to check out the history on this particular site, but confirmed that allocation in the Unitary Development Plan for this area was retail.

Representatives from Catcliffe Parish Council had been handed two petitions from residents objecting to the proposals and the receipt of these by the Head of Planning and Transportation were noted.

Residents were particular concerned about fauna and flora on the proposed site of the ambulance station and the possibility of wildlife habitats being destroyed.

The Development Control Officer confirmed for those present that there was currently an ambulance station in Sheffield, but this was time limited.  It was envisaged that should this application be granted, then the station in Sheffield would relocate to the only in Rotherham.

The Head of Planning and Transportation pointed out that concerns such as those indicated above were taken into account in coming to a decision.

Councillor Pickering, Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board, pointed out that, during the sharing of information, no real objections had been made from the Parish Council about the residential development proposed on site.

The Parish Council representatives had viewed the indicative layout, raised concerns about proposals for three storey accommodation and questioned why consideration could not be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Chairman thanked those present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 4.10 p.m.