Reasons for approval

In recommending the extension for retrospective approval, planning officer David Walker said that the economic impact on the town was a deciding factor. He said: “In this case, it is acknowledged that the development has had an impact upon the landscape character of the site to the northern section; however, the development in isolation of the wider works (on which a further application will follow in the near future) that have been undertaken has had a positive benefit in terms of its economic contribution to the wider borough.” He added that the landslide issue will be addressed in the next application. to stabilise the area. This land has always shown signs of instability and has numerous springs running through the site. The stacked tonnes of soil and spoil mean the springs no longer run freely and concern that water is backing up making the land unstable. The site since the work has begun has experienced landslips. “Changes to drainage and watercourse have resulted in natural springs being diverted and water emerging is residents’ properties, gardens and streets.”

There are also complaints about the noise from deliveries, which residents say start at 6am.

The council’s planning officer admits there have been problems, and that it is monitoring other work that has been carried out on the site without planning permission. The report states: “The site has been the subject of substantial engineering works since 2016 owing to the investment in the existing bakery premises.

“As such, in addition to this application which seeks retrospective planning permission for the extension to the premises, the authority has requested a further planning application for the groundworks and access road development under construction.”