MINUTES OF THE ROADS COMMITTEE MEETING – A AGENDA HELD IN THE FIRST FLOOR COMMITTEE ROOM AT THE TOWN HALL ON WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE 2011 AT 09.30AM PRESENT: Connétable S Crowcroft Mr G Jennings Mr N Blake Mr P Pearce Rev I MacFirbhisigh APOLOGIES: The Very Rev Robert Key (Dean) Mr J Wilding Mr P Freeley (Procureur du Bien Public) IN ATTENDANCE: Mr C Barton (Procureur du Bien Public) Mr J Stievenard (Assistant Director of Technical & Environmental Services) Mr R MacKenzie (Town Centre Manager) OPEN MEETING Having been previously circulated, the ‘A’ Agenda Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2011 were agreed. MATTERS ARISING 143/11 - SCENIC LANES AWARD AGENDA ITEMS 144/11 - REQUEST FROM TTS TO EXTINGUISH PART OF OXFORD ROAD Previous minute 119/11 refers Mr Jennings advised that Vallée des Vaux had come 4th in the competition. It was felt that if St Helier was promoted as a walking venue, involving the Blue Badge Guides if possible, this could help any future nominations for the competition, especially as St Helier is one of the few Parishes that can offer town and country walks. The Director of Municipal Services, TTS, asked the Committee to consider extinguishment of the part of Oxford Road that passes through the Town Park. If the States did acquire the land it would mean that when the land was transferred to Property Holdings it would be as a whole parcel. The Committee could see the merits in the transfer for administration purposes but wanted to safeguard the use of the route as a designated cycle route, as had been previously agreed. The Director of Municipal Services, TTS, said that provision for cycling had been provided around the perimeter of the Park but the Committee were insistent on keeping the through route in the hope that it would link up with Belmont Road in the future if the private building was acquired. Mr Jennings asked for clarification to ensure that cyclists can cycle legally through the park as this is in conflict with Parks and Gardens Regulations, The Director of Municipal Services, TTS, said the Regulations were not practically enforced. The Committee agreed that they would be prepared to consider extinguishment of the road and sale of the land to the States if an assurance was given that cycling would still be allowed legally across the Park. The Director of Municipal Services, TTS, agreed to take this offer back to the States and said he would investigate whether the contravention of the Parks & Gardens Regulations could be achieved by denoting it as a cycle route, as happens at Springfield. Mr Jennings and Mr Pearce asked for their dissent from the decision to be recorded. 145/11 - PROPOSALS FOR PAVING – PAYN STREET The Committee were asked to consider plans for paving part of Payn Street in conjunction with the building works currently being carried out on the adjacent site. The Developer had already discussed the proposals with T & E Services and confirmed that the surface would be constructed to an acceptable standard, including all drainage, and had agreed to provide bollards at certain points to ensure vehicle access to and from the adjacent premises was not blocked. The proposed granite surface would have a minimum life of 10 years but this would probably be longer as this road is designated for access only. The Committee agreed to the proposal and felt it would enhance the area. Mr Pearce agreed but felt that the more traditional kerbs and tarmac should be used. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 146/11 - TOWN CENTRE SIGNAGE A short discussion took place regarding existing and proposed town centre signage. Mr Jennings suggested the signs should include “walking times”. The Constable thought there may be merit in forming a working group comprising of representatives from TTS, Planning and Tourism. T & E Services agreed to write to TTS on behalf of the Constable and copy the letter to Planning and Tourism. 147/11 - BOLLARDS PROVIDENCE STREET T & E Services agreed that they would arrange for the plastic bollards outside the Granville to be removed. 148/11 - PARKING – WESLEY STREET T & E Services agreed to contact Happy Days about the removal of their van from parking on the pavement. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 149/11 - UPLANDS P/2011/0700 HOTEL, ST JOHN’S Uplands Hotel, St John’s Road, St Helier ROAD, ST HELIER Convert existing hotel into 16 No apartments. Various external alterations. The Parish has no objection to the above submission. 150/11 - 1 – 3 JOURNEAUX STREET & 32 AQUILA ROAD, ST HELIER RW/2011/0713 1 – 3 Journeaux Street & 32 Aquila Road, St Helier Replacement windows. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and gives approval provided:That windows W3 & W4 are fitted with permanent stays to prevent casements opening beyond the face of the building. An alternative (to avoid illegal encroachment) is to replace these windows with vertical sliding units. 151/11 - DEVON HOUSE, 28 CHEVALIER ROAD, ST HELIER P/2011/0736 Devon House, 28 Chevalier Road, St Helier Remove existing extension to east elevation. Construct extension with balcony above to east elevation. Various external alterations. The Parish has no objection to the above submission. 152/11 - ISLAND SITE, LA ROUTE DE LA LIBERATION, ST HELIER RP/2011/0740 Island Site, La Route de la Liberation, St Helier Redevelopment of disused former abattoir site and tourism office as part of an overall masterplan for the Island Site to provide retail, food, beverage and office units, alterations to the historic structures, new entrances and associated hard and soft landscaping. REVISED PLANS: Extend unit 13B (Former Tourism Office) to café/restaurant. Various external alterations. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and gives approval provided:The applicant liaises with the Parish Refuse Department to agree suitable storage and pickup of rubbish. 153/11 - UPLANDS HOTEL (GATEHOUSE), NEW ST JOHN’S ROAD, ST HELIER P/2011/0602 Uplands Hotel (Gatehouse), New St John’s Road, St Helier Convert existing hotel bar and staff accommodation into 1 No dwelling. The Parish has no objection to the above submission. 154/11 - 19 CHEAPSIDE, ST HELIER . P/2011/0605 19 Cheapside, St Helier Alterations to shopfront. Erect blind incorporating sign over The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and gives approval provided:Suitable provision for the storage and collection of refuse is incorporated into the proposal to the satisfaction of the Parish Refuse Department. 155/11 - 20 – 22 DAVID PLACE, ST HELIER P/2011/0604 20 – 22 David Place, St Helier Remove rear annexe. Convert ground and first floor to create 4 No residential units. Create vehicular access. Various external alterations. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows:The Parish remains firm in its stance that a minimum of one off street private parking space should be provided for each unit of accommodation, therefore the creation of two units would be acceptable not four in this instance. 156/11 - UPLANDS HOTEL (BARN), NEW ST JOHN’S ROAD, ST HELIER P/2011/0617 Uplands Hotel (Barn), New St John’s Road, St Helier Convert existing outbuildings into 1 No dwelling. The Parish has no objection to the above submission. 157/11 - 3 ANN PLACE, ST HELIER, JE2 4GA P/2011/0649 3 Ann Place, St Helier, JE2 4GA Demolish existing garages. Construct 1 No dwelling. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows:The principle of development of the site is supported but there are concerns over access and egress visibility lines. The garage does not appear to achieve the necessary pedestrian visibility criteria and this should be addressed. The space adjacent for the parking of 4 cars is acceptable but the small wall nib to the south east of the area should be retained so as to improve both pedestrian and vehicular vision. 158/11 - 30 CHEVALIER ROAD, ST HELIER P/2011/0421 30 Chevalier Road, St Helier Remove part of roadside wall and fence to create parking. Modify existing walls and add railings. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows:The Parish is appreciative of the additional drawing showing an adequate vision line. However, the Parish remain firmly opposed to the application on the basis that the proposed space does not meet the minimum length requirement. 159/11 - 9 LA MOTTE STREET & 35-37 HILGROVE STREET, ST HELIER P/2010/1863 9 La Motte Street & 35-37 Hilgrove Street, St Helier Demolish existing building. Construct new building comprising of basement parking, retail unit and 41 No apartments. Retention and refurbishment of existing La Motte Street façade. Model available. AMENDED PLANS RECEIVED. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows:The Parish’s most recent comments in its representation dated 26.05.11 remain relevant. 160/11 - 27 ESPLANADE & TOWER CARPETS, LA RUE DES MIELLES, ST HELIER P/2011/0647 27 Esplanade & Tower Carpets, La Rue des Mielles, St Helier Retention and refurbishment of historic façade to 27 Esplanade and first three bays. Demolition of remainder of buildings through to La Rue des Mielles. Construct new eight storey office building including plant platform fronting Esplanade and La Rue des Mielles. Construction of basement car park. Model Available. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows: The proposal for 17 private off street car parking spaces meets the current policy of car reduction for commuters and encourages alternative modes of transport – this provision is therefore considered acceptable. The proposal to install bicycle racks for up to 40 is supported as is the aim to achieve 5% cyclist mode share. However, as this site is immediately adjacent to the main east/west cycle track the Parish believe that the development could sustain a greater percentage mode share and the applicant is requested to consider increasing the facility for private secure bicycle parking. 161/11 - ANN STREET BREWERY, ANN STREET, ST HELIER It is noted that refuse storage will be in the basement with bins being brought to street level on collection day. Whilst this is entirely practical, the storage of a large number of eurobins adjacent to Rue des Mielles requires careful design and should be developed with the Parish Refuse Department prior to the final design of the scheme being approved by the Planning Department. A detailed refuse strategy which seeks to maximise separation, recycling and re-use should be developed in conjunction with the Parish. The vehicular entrance/exit to Rue des Mielles achieves an acceptable 30 metre vision line to oncoming traffic but the structure to the left hand side of the ramp when exiting prevents adequate pedestrian vision and should be improved. Whilst the initiative to reduce delivery and service trips is welcomed it should be recognised that many aspects of the maintenance of building services will require vehicular support. The development must incorporate adequate private off street facilities to ensure that service and delivery vans do not have to park on the public highway. It should be noted that no part of the structure whether below or above ground will be permitted to encroach onto public land. For a development of 9,000m2 the volume of foot traffic, both staff and visitor, in and out of the development will be considerable with a large percentage crossing Castle Street to access the town centre and return. It is requested that the applicant consider the funding of pedestrian improvements to the Castle Street/Rue des Mielles junction, to be developed in conjunction with the Parish and TTS. Concern is raised over the loss of both granite façade gables which document past history and architecture of the area. The Committee express the view that they would prefer to see both retained. P/2011/0685 Ann Street Brewery, Ann Street, St Helier Demolish existing brewery storage facilities and gantry bridging Ann Street. Construct 19 No apartments. The Roads Committee has examined plans for the above submission and comment as follows:- NEXT MEETING The provision of one private off street parking space per unit is noted and accepted as is the proposal for 14 bicycle stands. Whilst the space set aside for the refuse bins is ideal being adjacent to the public highway the exact layout and provision of bins should be discussed and developed with the Parish Refuse Department. A refuse strategy to include separation, recycling and re-use should be developed in conjunction with the Parish. It is noted that the building will be set back from its site boundary leaving a margin which will effectively be part of the footpath. This margin must either be delineated by some form of flush marking or the land transferred to the Parish. This matter should be discussed in more detail with the applicant. The kerb and footpath must be lowered by the Parish of St Helier at the expense of the applicant for the vehicular access and bin store. Following completion of the development the Parish will require the whole of the footpath to be reinstated in new red asphalt at cost to the contract. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 15 July 2011 at 9.00am in the Committee Room, First Floor, Town Hall followed by the Visite du Branchage.