Works to chapel ruins to include hard and soft landscaping, planting and tree pruning works, replacement of street furniture and pavement re-surfacing.  Alterations to shopfronts facade across the centre including 40-42 high street.  Change of use of from use class A1 to A3 at units 25-27 and units 23-24, and use class A1 to D2 at units SU12 and SU13 (both ground and first floors), 115sq.m of external restaurant/cafe space at chapel high, associated drainage and utilities works.

WORKS TO CHAPEL RUINS TO INCLUDE HARD AND SOFT

LANDSCAPING, PLANTING AND TREE PRUNING WORKS, REPLACEMENT OF STREET FURNITURE AND PAVEMENT RE-SURFACING. ALTERATIONS TO SHOPFRONTS FACADE ACROSS THE CENTRE INCLUDING 40-42 HIGH STREET. CHANGE OF USE OF FROM USE CLASS A1 TO A3 AT UNITS 25-27 AND UNITS 23-24, AND USE CLASS A1 TO D2 AT UNITS SU12 AND SU13 (BOTH GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS), 115SQ.M OF EXTERNAL RESTAURANT/CAFE SPACE AT CHAPEL HIGH, ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND UTILITIES WORKS.

 

Planning permission was sought for works to the surrounding chapel ruins to include re-surfacing of the pavement, removal of enclosures around the Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), replacement street furniture (benches and new display board); works to trees and the addition of a sculptural ‘living’ wall. As part of the refurbishments, repairs and maintenance work would be undertaken to the SAM which comprised the ruins of the Tower of the Chapel of St Thomas A Becket although all the original fabric of the ruins would be preserved. The alter was proposed to be retained as existing.

 

The application also sought permission for the amalgamation and change of use of smaller units from Class A1 retail to Class A3 restaurant/café along with the use of external space; replacement shopfront windows and new signage at façade level changes to the layout and use of Units SU12 and SU13 to provide for a Use Class D2 (Assembly and Leisure);. No extensions were proposed as part of the application.

 

Fr Mark North of St Thomas of Canterbury Church was present and addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Alex Chapman, representing the Developer, was present and addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Ward members Cllrs Gareth Barrett and Morrissey were supportive of the application.

 

Cllr McCheyne MOVED and Cllr Bridge SECONDED that the application be APPROVED, subject to a restriction on hot food being taken away from the proposed restaurant.

 

Members voted as follows:

 

For:  Cllrs Bridge, Chilvers, Haigh, Jakobsson, Keeble, Kerslake, Laplain, McCheyne, Morrissey,  Miss Sanders and Tanner.(11)

Against:  Cllr Mynott (1)

Abstain (0)

 

The application was APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

 

Submission of a Unilateral Undertaking by the applicant to secure works around the chapel and additional condition to restrict the use of the units so that no hot food takeaway can be provided.

 

1 Standard Time - Full

The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

 

2 Drawings

Unless formally permitted by the local planning authority the development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the approved drawing(s) listed above and specifications.

Reason: To ensure that the development is as permitted by the local planning

authority and for the avoidance of doubt.

 

3 New Materials

Notwithstanding the submitted drawings, details and samples of all new materials within the St Thomas A Becket Chapel ruins and surrounding area as indicated on drawing no A11403 D2100 rev P3, including the dimensions of the agreed herringbone brickwork within the chapel ruins shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to the commencement of development.

 

Reason: in the interest of the setting and appearance of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, Grade II listed buildings and the character and appearance of the Brentwood Town Centre Conservation Area.

 

4 Conservation Management Plan

No development shall take place until such time as a Conservation Management Plan for the St Thomas a Becket Chapel ruins has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority in conjunction with Historic England. The report shall include full details of a scheme to include the methodology of repairs; proposed works , responsibilities and maintenance of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The works as agreed shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved scheme.

Reason: In the interests of the appearance and integrity of the Scheduled Ancient Monument and nearby Grade II listed buildings.

 

5 Hours of Use - deliveries

No deliveries shall take place outside the following hours: 08:00 - 18:00; Mondays - Fridays, 08:00 – 18:00 Saturdays and there shall be no deliveries on Sundays and public holidays.

Reason: To safeguard the living conditions of nearby residents

 

6 Hours of Use (7 day opening)

The premises granted permission for change of use shall not be open for customers outside the following hours: Monday – Fridays 09:00 – Midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 23:00.

Reason: To safeguard the living conditions of nearby residents.

 

7 Extraction units

Not withstanding the details as submitted prior to first use of the premises granted permission for A3 use, full details of the means of ventilation and extraction, and dispersal of cooking smells and fumes, including details of odour control measures, noise levels and its appearance and finish, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved scheme shall be installed before the use hereby permitted commences and permanently retained thereafter.

Reason: To safeguard the amenity of adjoining properties and the protect the general environment.

 

8 Construction Management

Given the location of the development in the centre of Brentwood, a Construction Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved Plan shall be adhered to throughout the construction period. The Plan shall provide for:

i. the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors

ii. loading and unloading of plant and materials

iii. storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development

iv. wheel and underbody washing facilities

Reason: To ensure that on-street parking of these vehicles in the adjoining streets does not occur and to ensure that loose materials and spoil are not brought out onto the highway in the interests of highway safety and Policy

 

9 Drainage

The Sustainable Urban Drainage system shall be implemented in accordance with the details set out within the Flood Risk Assessment document

Reason: In order to ensure adequate provision is made for surface water drainage.

 

10 Landscaping

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted a scheme of soft landscaping shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The submitted scheme shall indicate the existing trees and shrubs to be retained and provided, including the 'green wall', and a plan for its management and maintenance. Any newly planted tree or green wall that dies, or is uprooted, severely damaged or seriously diseased, within five years of the completion of the development, shall be replaced within the next planting season with another of the same species and of a similar size, unless the local planning authority gives prior written consent to any variation.

Reason: In order to safeguard and enhance the character and appearance of the area.

 

11 Replacement Tree

Prior to the removal of the tree hereby granted consent details of a replacement tree, including its species, size and position shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority the replacement tree shall be planted during the first planting season following removal of this tree. If within five years the replacement tree dies, is removed or becomes severely damaged or seriously diseased, it shall be replaced within the next planting season after its death, removal or the recognition of the damage or disease.

Reason: In the interests of the visual amenities of the locality.

 

12 Agree works to trees

Details of the proposed works to the retained trees shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority prior to any such work commencing.

Reason: To enable the Council’s Arboriculturalist opportunity to agree an appropriate schedule of work, in the interest of the visual amenity of the area.

 

13 Site levels

Details of existing and proposed site levels of works to the external areas shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted. Construction shall be in strict accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area.

 

14 Shopfronts

Prior to the commencement of works the details of the new shopfronts shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interests of the visual amenity of the area, given its proximity to the Brentwood Town Centre Conservation Area.