The report of the Director of Planning, Building Regulations and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing that presented an application regarding the installation of a replacement kiosk required to house a new gas governor following demolition of existing including installation of replacement weldmesh palisade fencing.

The site is of an irregular size located to the rear of residential properties on Barlow Moor Road and Houghend Avenue and to the west is the Manchester Crematorium with the wider Southern Cemetery beyond, an Electricity substation is located adjacent and to the south of the site. The site is not publicly accessible, with the alleyway that serves it having been subject to a City Council alleygating scheme approved in 2008. The wider area to the south, west and north is predominantly residential in nature whilst to the east is the western boundary of the Manchester Crematorium with the Grade II registered Southern Cemetery beyond. The site is located within the Chorlton Park ward of the city. In order for the replacement infrastructure to be compliant with current technical industry standards and guidance the new infrastructure requires larger clearance areas (3m minimum) around them. As such, the associated housing structure known as a kiosk is required to be larger than those that currently exist on site. The applicant has confirmed that the replacement infrastructure (gas governor) is to be installed under the applicants permitted development rights and it is the Kiosk and associated 2.4m perimeter weld mesh fencing that requires planning permission.

Amongst other matters that are set out within the main body of the report it is

considered that the principle of the upgrade of existing energy infrastructure with

suitable mitigation around tree loss is acceptable in this instance.

The Planning Officer had nothing to add to the printed report.

The agent for the applicant, Cadent Gas, addressed the Committee and stated that the company supplied gas services for around 11million homes and businesses. This was an important development as it currently serviced 20,000 customers. There was a need to keep gas pressure at a premium and the site was currently non-compliant. The kiosk needed to be maintained and inspected and would require dismantling and replacing due to its restricted size. The kiosk and surrounding fencing would be green to be in keeping with surroundings and it was regrettable that the trees on site would have to be lost. Referring to tree loss, the agent confirmed that replacement trees would be provided, as per a condition on the application. Any surrounding vegetation would be removed out of season to prevent habitat loss to wildlife but the needs of the unit to be functional and compliant would outweigh the loss of trees on site. The kiosk would be noise insulated and would be no louder in its operations than the current unit. Diligent planning had been implemented and there were clear public benefits for this upgrade.

The Planning Officer expressed regret about the tree loss associated with the upgrade but confirmed a condition to replace them had been agreed with the applicant.

The Chair invited the Committee to ask questions/make comments.

Councillor Lyons asked if Ward Councillors would be consulted on the replacement tree project.

The Planning Officer stated that the replacement scheme had an initial agreement to be planted in Southern Cemetery. Members had been informed.

Councillor Leech asked if the Planning Officer was aware that the Crematorium was adjacent to this site.

The Planning Officer stated that the replacements trees would be either in the area of the Crematorium or Southern Cemetery with appropriate species.

Councillor Leech stated that the Crematorium was privately owned, unlike the Cemetery which was Council land. Councillor Leech expressed surprise that Southway Housing Trust had not been consulted and asked why. He asked about the number of replacement trees, whether this would be 1 for 1, and asked why the clearance of the whole site, rather than work around it, had not been challenged.

The Planning Officer confirmed that notifications had gone to individual addresses, as per Government advice and not to land owners. The number of replacement trees had yet to be agreed and the City Council’s own arboriculturist would be involved in selecting the age and appropriate species. The replacement project would be managed within Southern Cemetery and not the Crematorium. Regarding the clearance of the site, the Planning Officer confirmed that this had already taken place. The trees had been assessed and were not considered worthy of a Tree Preservation order. The loss of trees was to be fully assessed and subject to a condition with full details of replacement tree details to be agreed.

Councillor S Ali moved the recommendation of Approve for the application.

Councillor Lyons seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee resolved to Approve the application, subject to conditions, as set out in the reports submitted.