Item13 Report 39

							Agenda Item 13 – 12/3/09


09/00039/FUL         INSTALLATION OF A COMBINED APNR CAMERA AND
                     STREET LIGHT AT STOCKWELL STREET, LEEK FOR
                     STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL.


Parish: Leek                                                 Registration: 17/01/09
Case Officer: Mr. A. Hopley                              Grid Reference: 9868 5664

THE APPLICATION

This application seeks planning consent for the installation of a combined
Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera and lighting column within the
highway footpath at Stockwell Street, Leek. The proposal will replace the existing
light stanchion, which is located on the corner of the junction of Stockwell Street
and Ball Haye Street and will be sited in approximately the same location as the
existing column. The specifications with regards to the stanchion and lantern
have not been submitted with the application and consequently, the application
seeks approval for the principle of a combined stanchion in this location.

The application has been submitted as a result of the Council’s plan to expand
CCTV coverage across the District, in areas that are prone to crime and public
disorder. The proposed location of this camera will provide additional coverage
for this section of the Leek Town Centre.

The application has been referred to Committee as the applicant is Staffordshire
Moorlands District Council, and is submitted under Regulation 3 of the Town and
Country Planning General Regulations 1992.


SITE LOCATION/DESCRIPTION

The application site is located within a recognised Town/Village Development
Boundary, where there is a presumption in favour of development. The proposed
location of the development also falls within the Leek Town Conservation Area
and accordingly, in planning terms, is sited in a sensitive location. The site is
positioned in a visually conspicuous location, to the south west corner of the
cross roads, which serve Stockwell Street, Ball Haye Road, Ball Haye Street and
Buxton Road. The site is located directly to the north of the residential properties,
Stockwell Mews and is positioned opposite to Sugden House. The properties in
the immediate vicinity are predominantly residential, with the main exceptions
being Park Medical Centre and Moorland House Surgery, which are located on
the north-east and south-east corners of the cross roads. A site visit revealed
that in addition to the existing stanchion located in the application site area, there
were approximately 3 other large light stanchions in the immediate locality.
Agenda Item 13 – 12/3/09


PLANNING HISTORY

None


CONSULTATIONS

Parish Council: Comments awaited

Local Highway Authority: There are no objections on Highway grounds to this
proposal

Conservation Officer: Recommended approval providing that the ANPR camera
and existing light column can be combined on to one stanchion.

Conservation Liaison Panel: No objection to the location but preferred a
combined camera/light to minimize clutter.


REPRESENTATIONS

Two Neighbour objection letters and one e-mail have been received. Concerns
raised relate to the proposed siting of the pole adjacent to residential properties
and its location within the Conservation Area. Consider that the visual harm could
be alleviated by adding the camera to an existing stanchion, rather than having a
separate column in an area already littered by equipment.


POLICIES

Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan
B13(A)        Design
B13(C)        Neighbour Amenity

National Planning Guidance
PPG15        Planning and the Historic Environment


OFFICER COMMENT

1. The application site lies within a prominent location within the Leek
Conservation Area. In the absence of any relevant ‘saved’ Staffordshire
Moorlands Local Plan policies, PPG15: Planning and The Historic Environment,
paragraphs 4.14 and 4.19, state that Local Planning Authorities are required
afford particular attention to the desirability of preserving and enhancing the
character or appearance of the conservation area and that if any proposed
Agenda Item 13 – 12/3/09


development would conflict with this objective, there will be a strong presumption
against the grant of planning permission. As part of the application process the
Council’s Conservation Officer has been consulted and has been involved in pre-
application discussions with the applicant. Concern was originally expressed as
the proposal initially proposed a separate column that would be located directly
next to an existing light stanchion. However, to alleviate the proliferation of clutter
in this location, the applicant has agreed to amend the scheme to provide a
single combined ANPR camera and light stanchion. Therefore, given that there is
already a stanchion in situ, in approximately the same location, the Conservation
Officer has raised no objection to the proposal.

2. Policy B13(A) of the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan states that new
development proposals must demonstrate a good quality of design that takes
account existing scale, character, mass design colour and materials and the
surroundings. The siting of the proposal is deemed to be acceptable as the
development would be of similar appearance to the existing light stanchions
already located on the cross roads and accordingly, would not represent an
incongruous feature in the context of the immediate area. Whilst, it is noted that
no information regarding the specifications of the stanchion and lantern have
been submitted with the application, it is not considered that in itself would
represent grounds for refusal, as this can be sufficiently controlled through the
appropriate use of conditions, which would then be subject to approval from the
Local Planning Authority. Moreover, photographic examples of existing combined
stanchions have been supplied by the applicant and it is considered that the
proposal would not appear materially different to the existing stanchion that
would be replaced. The applicant has also stated that the finish will be of a colour
green to match the existing town centre street furniture, as agreed with the
Council’s Conservation Officer. The proposal is therefore deemed to accord with
Policy B13(A) of the Staffordshire Moorlands Plan.

3. Policy B13(C) of the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan requires that new
development must have no adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring land
users and Appendix 3: Space Around Dwellings; sets out detailed design
considerations. Three neighbour objection responses have been received during
the consultation process, which essentially object to the addition of a further
column that would be sited in a close proximity to neighbouring dwellings and in
an area already “littered” with columns. However, these objections were received
prior to the applicant amending the scheme to provide a single combined pole.
Accordingly, in taking into consideration that there is an existing light stanchion in
situ, which would be replaced by the proposal in approximately the same
location, it is not deemed that the proposal would adversely affect the amenity
currently enjoyed by those properties. Consequently, it is not considered that the
proposal would materially alter the status-quo. The camera will be operated and
monitored in strict accordance with the SMDC Code of Practice and all camera
operators are fully trained and carry out their duties with due regard to the
privacy of the individual. The Code of Practice requires that the operators of the
Agenda Item 13 – 12/3/09


cameras will operate with the utmost probity at all times, that every use of the
camera will accord with the purposes and key objectives of the scheme and shall
be in compliance with these policies and procedures, and that cameras will not
be used to look into private property. It is therefore considered that the proposal
is unlikely to result in any significant harm to neighbouring amenity.

Parish Council Views

Comments awaited

Public Views

The concerns raised have been addressed in the Officer Comment section
above.


OFFICER RECOMMENDATION

Planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of
three years from the date of this permission.
Reason:- To comply with the provisions of Section 51 of the Town and Country
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2. Prior to the commencement of development, the external finish of the pole and
its profile, the specific details of the camera equipment and its mounting, together
with a scale 1:200 plan indicating the precise proposed siting of the proposed
development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning
Authority. The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the
approved details.
Reason:- To define the details of the development and to ensure that the works
harmonise with the character of the Conservation Area and setting of the listed
buildings.

Informative:

The application has been considered against the policy B13 of the Staffordshire
Moorlands Local Plan, and against national planning guidance contained in
PPS1 and PPG15. It is considered that the proposed installation will not detract
from the character and appearance of the surrounding area, will not have an
adverse impact on neighbouring amenity and will not detract from the setting of
the nearby Listed Building.