Agenda item

Application for construction of a footpath/cycle way on existing open space.

Consideration was given to planning application 25/0759/LA Land East of Clarendon Road, Thornaby

 

Planning permission was sought for the provision of a new footpath and cycleway as part of wider pedestrian/cycle network improvement scheme across the Borough.

 

10no letters of objection had been received following neighbour consultations. 1no letter of support had been received. Cleveland Police did not support the proposal over concerns with the footpath/cycleway potentially exacerbating issues of motorcycle nuisance referenced by local residents.

 

The application site related to a parcel of land to the east of Clarendon Road. The site was recognised to be designated open space; however, the proposal related to the provision of a new pedestrian and cycle route and therefore drew support from Local Plan Polices.

 

The application had been assessed in full, and it was considered that the development would not result in any significant conflict with the policies of the Local Plan or relevant chapters of the NPPF and there were no technical reasons why the proposed scheme would be deemed unacceptable in planning terms in which to justify refusal of the application.

 

In accordance with the Councils scheme of delegation, the application was to be determined by Planning Committee as the application was Local Authority development with a total site area of over 500 square metres.

 

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were

detailed within the main report.

 

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

 

The planning policies and material planning considerations that were relevant to the consideration of the application were contained within the main report.

 

The Planning Officers report concluded that in view of the assessment contained within the report and taking into account the concerns received by local residents and representatives from Cleveland Police, it was considered that the proposed development would not result in any significant conflict with the policies contained within the Stockon on Tees Local Plan or the relevant chapters of the NPPF and there were no technical reasons why the proposed scheme would be deemed unacceptable.

 

In planning terms, the proposed development was considered acceptable in all other regards and was therefore recommended for approval subject to those planning conditions set out in the report.

 

Objectors attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to make

representation. Their comments could be summarised as follows:

 

- Why did the Council want to use green space when there were already existing cycleways which could be joined up and deliver the same outcome?

 

- Cyclists wanted a direct route from Ingleby Barwick to Teesside Park, however the current Council proposal did not achieve this.

 

- The Council had proposed a cycle way from Mitchell Avenue in part, however if this was to join to Linear Park it would service schools better making it safer for children who wanted to cycle to and from school.

 

- The Council had proposed to put in a crossing further down Mitchell Avenue which would then join an already existing cycle path, however the cycle path route did not make sense when there could be an option for cyclists to ride directly through the town centre.

 

- More information was requested relating to concerns raised by Cleveland Police and whether their concerns had been resolved.

 

- The proposed parcel of land to the east of Clarendon Road was prone to flooding and the grass was constantly churned up by cyclists. The site was in flood zone 1 and the drains on the proposed site did not service the site efficiently in terms of getting rid of surface water.

 

- There were already existing cycle paths which could be joined up from Teesside Park to Ingleby Barwick , therefore no need to use the parcel of land to the east of Clarendon Road which was a green space area.

 

- A local resident whose garden backed onto the parcel of land to the east of Clarendon Road explained that as a keen gardener she could no longer get anything to grow due to flooding, and therefore the proposed site was not suitable.

 

- Residents asked if they would be met with 2 lanes of cycle paths when exiting their gardens via their back gates to cross the green belt to head to the town centre.

 

- Questions were also raised relating to who owned the proposed land was it Lord Harewood or Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council?

 

- Residents raised concerns relating to light pollution, privacy issues, Anti-Social Behaviour and the possibility of drug running on the back field, particularly in the summer months.

 

- Concerns were raised regarding the impact the installation of the paths would have on wildlife.

 

Officers were given the opportunity to respond to comments/issues raised. Their responses could be summarised as follows:

 

- Landownership was currently being investigated however officers did not see any potential issues.

 

- The proposed cycle paths were to allow for the safety of children.

 

- In terms of concerns raised relating to Anti-Social Behaviour, the proposed area would be lit which would reduce Anti-Social Behaviour, there was no evidence that the scheme would increase crime in the area.

 

- Regarding the choice of route, a lot of work had been undertaken to connect the town centre from all parts of Thornaby as well as accessing St Patricks School. The route through the park and green space did link to existing cycle paths as part of the travel infrastructure. It was direct and comfortable and worked well.

 

- The alternative route which had been highlighted by residents from Millbank Lane would mean having to cut through current infrastructure. As part of the St Patrick School route a new crossing would be installed as well as the widening of cycle paths making it safer for school children.

 

- Although it was acknowledged there was an issue with flooding on the field it was believed that this would not impact the proposed cycle route as the path would be raised.

 

- The cycle path would be more user friendly for those with mobility issues.

 

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions / make comments. These could be summarised as follows:

 

- Cleveland police had reported that they believed that the lighting of the cycle path would potentially increase Anti-Social Behaviour, which was a concern therefore the police’s advice should be considered to eliminate Anti-Social Behaviour.

 

- It was highlighted that cycle paths in other areas of the Borough had been subject to people using them as a drug run.

 

- Members asked what the distance of the cycle paths would be to the nearest house as the plans appeared to show that they had moved closer to residents’ properties since the first plan submission.

 

-  The type of paths proposed could attract disorder linked to motorbikes / quadbikes etc.

 

Officers were given the opportunity to respond to comments/issues raised. Their responses could be summarised as follows:

 

- The path had been slightly repositioned due to land conditions, landscaping issues and to minimise the number of trees cut down.

 

Members discussed the possibility of a deferral to allow for additional information to be obtained to address issues that had been highlighted by Cleveland Police. A request was also made that an arborist attend the next meeting to discuss the removal of trees should a deferral be agreed.

 

A motion to defer was proposed and seconded.

 

A vote took place and the motion was carried

 

RESOLVED that the item 25/0759/LA  Land East of Clarendon Road, Thornaby be deferred to a future meeting of the Planning Committee to obtain further information as detailed above.