The application for full Planning Permission for Erection of a Retail Store, Electric Vehicle ChargingHub and Class 3 Cafe/Restaurant with Associated Car Parking, Servicing, Landscaping and Access at Land at New Mains of Ury, Stonehaven, was refused at the Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC) today.
This application was referred to the ISC because it was recommended for refusal by the planning department but recommended for approval by the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, K&M, at their meeting on 1st July.
Background
This application was recommended for refusal by the planning department as
· It did not comply with the Local Development Plan, and this development, alongside the already approved Ury Estate site, would result in an adverse effect on the town centre.
· The site is outwith the town settlement of Stonehaven, which is discouraged in National Policy.
· Although the site is existing brownfield land, the size of the development exceeds the policy allowance.
· The site lies in an accessible rural location, but retail and cafés in these areas are not supported within National Policy.
The Area Committee, however, did not agree and recommended it be approved.
Speakers
The ISC heard a presentation from the planning department, explaining their rationale for recommending refusal. This was followed by Ashfield Developments, elaborating on their application. David Lawman, chair of Stonehaven and District Community Council, then spoke in support of the application, explaining the breadth of support for the application within the town.
A representative of the Coop group then made a case for why the application should be refused, followed by Tony Thomas and Jonathan Milne, representing the Ury Estate, similarly appealing for the application to be rejected.
Discussion and Debate
Councillors had the opportunity to question each of the representatives, and then the planning department were invited back for comments.
Following a lunch break councillors resumed with a discussion and debate on the application. Several councillors commented that there is no point in having plans and policies if they are then ignored. K&M councillors spoke of their feelings that the town centre could still thrive.
Several councillors commented that it was a difficult decision, but a motion was proposed and seconded that the application be refused.
Motion to refuse – amendment to grant permission
A amendment was then proposed and seconded that the application be approved.
The final vote was 7 votes for the motion refusing the application, with 6 votes for the amendment, therefore the final decision was that the application was refused.
How did the committee vote?
ISC Cllrs who supported the amendment to Grant permission: Cllr Alan Turner, Cllr Dawn Black, Cllr George Carr, Cllr Laurie Carnie, Cllr Mel Sullivan, Cllr Derek Ritchie
ISC Cllrs voting to support the planners‘ recommendation to refuse: Cllr Isobel Davidson, Cllr John Crawley, Cllr Jim Gifford, Cllr Marion Ewenson, Cllr Paul Johnson, Cllr Glen Reid, Cllr Stephen Smith
Cllr Wendy Agnew sits on the ISC committee but is currently suspended