PLANNING COMMITTEE AGENDA - Hartlepool Borough Council

4.1
Vis ual Am enity
11.6 It is important to note that the proposed structure is only for a temporary period
in light of significant issues faced by the PCT in acquiring a permanent surgery in the
locality. It is acknowledged that the proposed temporary structures are functional in
terms of external appearance but they are widely used to provide temporary
accommodation. Given the proposed discrete location to the surrounding main road
and main frontage of the shopping parade and the single storey scale of the
development it is considered unlikely that the proposed development would appear
unduly large or incongruous of the streetscene.
11.7 It is acknowledged that such structures have a limited lifespan in terms of the
materials used and as such this proposal would be unsuitable for permanent
retention.
Highway Safety
11.8 The Council’s Engineer has discussed the proposal in detail with the applicant
who has indicated that initially there will be only one doctor at the surgery and any
increase in the number of the doctors will depend upon the number of patients that
will register with the surgery.
11.9 The Officer has raised concerns regarding the car park serving the shopping
parade being busy at peak times, however as this appears to be at lunch times and
the surgery is likely to be least busy at the point it is considered unlikely that it will
have a major impact upon parking congestion. The officer has indicated that if a
second doctor is required at the surgery then the land opposite (next to 370 Catcote
Road) could be utilised as a car park. Clearly this would be subject to a separate
planning consent. The number of doctors practicing at the surgery at any one time
can be controlled by way of planning condition.
11.10 The Head of Traffic and Transportation has indicated that additional Traffic
Regulation Order (TRO) on the access/service road which leads to the rear of the
shopping parade to prevent patients parking on it and thus preventing deliveries to
the shop units. The requirement of the TRO can be controlled through the imposition
of a planning condition.
11.11 It is noted that the proposed site is in close proximity to public transport links
and has good pedestrian and cycle links in the immediate locality.
Residential Amenity
11.12 As the structure will be located facing the blank gable ends of the two legs of
the shopping parade and it will be located at least 35m from the nearest surrounding
residential properties apart from the residential units upon the first floor, which will
not directly overlook it. Given the proposed physical relationships it is considered
unlikely that the proposed development would lead to a detrimental effect upon the
occupants of the surrounding residential properties.
W:\CSword\Democratic Ser vices\COMMITTEES\PLANNING CTTEE\R eports \Reports - 2008 - 2009\09.02.25\Updat es\4.1 -
Planni ng - 09. 02. 25 - 11 - RPS Land N ext t o 402 Catcote R oad.DOC