Feltham Bridge Com Rep, Item 107. PDF 385 KB
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PLANNING COMMITTEE 10 March 2016 [email protected] References: P/2016/0160 00609/Q/P14 Address: Feltham Railway Station, Station Approach, Feltham, TW13 4BY Ward: Hanworth Park Ward Proposal: Construction of Shared Use (Cycle & Pedestrian) Bridge over the operational railway with associated landscaping and highway mitigation works including the widening of Hounslow Road and the bridge over Longford River to facilitate the re - direction of traffic following the closure of the Bedfont Lane level crossing and part Bedfont Lane itself to through traffic between the High Street and New Road Drawings: 0023 A04, 0015 A07, 0027 A05, 0028 A04, 0029 A04, 0030 A04, 0031 A05, 0020 A05, 0033 A03, 0023 A04, 0024 A05, 0022 A05, 0021 A04, FA001 P02, Location Plan, Design and Access Statement, Construction Method Statement, Flood Risk Assessment, Arboricultural Report and Lighting Calculations received on 12 January 2016, F1004 P01, F1005 P01, F1006, F1020 P01, F1008, F1009 A01, F1010 A01, F1011 A01, F1012 A01, F1013 A02, F1014 A02, F1015 A01, F1016 A01, F1017, F1007, F1001, F1002, Tree Planting Plan and Tree Constraints Plan received on 16 February 2016, Air Quality Assessment received on 23 February and Noise Assessment received on 29 February 2016. 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 The applicant seeks planning approval for a new pedestrian footbridge over the railway adjacent to Feltham Train Station following the closure of the level crossing on Bedfont Lane and associated highway works including a new footbridge alongside the road bridge (Hounslow Road), the extension of the road to the north and south of the railway line and over Longford River, works to junctions and the provision of new pedestrian access routes. 1.2 The works proposed are considered to be an acceptable approach to mitigate the impact of the closure of the level crossing. The proposed footbridge has been designed in a manner to have a positive impact on the character of the area, mitigate harm to neighbour amenities and has been future proofed to accommodate increased pedestrian flows. The works to the surrounding highway network are considered to be acceptable on the basis that the facilitate additional vehicular and pedestrian movement without compromising the character of the area, subject to suitable conditioning. Approval of the planning application is therefore recommended 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 The application site is formed of two distinct elements, the pedestrian footbridge over the railway line off Bedfont Lane adjacent to Feltham Station and the section of Hounslow Road from its junction with New Road to its junction with Bedfont Lane. The site includes a small section of land around Bridge House Pond of Hanworth Road. 2.2 A section of the Hounslow Road proposed to be widened is located within the Feltham Town Centre Conservation Area, which also includes Bridge House Pond. St Catherine’s Church is a Grade 2 listed building which sits adjacent to a section of highways works. Feltham Station itself is locally listed. 3.0 HISTORY 3.1 00553/2/L1 – Relocation of the existing grade 2 listed wall situated adjacent to Hanworth Road and Hounslow Road, part of St Catherine House – Approved 20 March 2015 3.2 This scheme involved the widening of the existing footway. 4.0 DETAILS 4.1 The new footbridge would replace the existing footbridge that provides access from a parking area off Bedfont Lane adjacent to the station over the railway line into the multi storey car park on the southern side of railway line and into Feltham Town Centre. The footbridge has been designed to facilitate additional capacity that will result from the closure of the Bedfont Lane level crossing, which does not form part of the current application. These works are planned by Network Rail and will either be undertaken within the Permitted Development Rights of the site or within a future planning application. The northern side of the bridge would fill the majority of the existing parking area and provide both stepped access to its ridge and a curved walkway which includes a seating area. The bridge would extend over the railway line where it meets an existing retained section that projects into the multi storey car park, with a second ramp and staircase directly to the south of the railway line providing access back onto Bedfont Lane. 4.2 As part of the scheme the northern side of the bridge within the existing car park would be landscaped which would, in part, provide screening to neighbouring properties. The footbridge would have 1.4 metre high balustrading in the form of grey panels on its northern side rising to 2.4 metres where it crosses the track. Additional fencing is proposed adjacent to the track itself. 4.3 The second key element involves highways works to facilitate additional capacity resulting from the closure of Bedfont Lane. This involves extending the section of Hounslow Road on the northern and southern side of the railway line and over Longford River. On the northern side of the railway line the bridge would be widened to increase the width of the footpath on the western side and introduce a new footpath on the eastern side. The carriageway would also be widened to introduce bus stops on both sides of the road. New pedestrian ramps would be created leading onto the station platform. A new footbridge would be provided alongside the existing roadbridge. 4.4 On the southern side of the railway bridge the carriageway would be widened eastward into the area around Bridge House Pond. The carriageway would increase in scale and the additional width would also facilitate room for the provision of a new footpath on its eastern side in the future. This would result in the loss of a small area of parkland and trees, with a new retaining wall adjacent to the park varying in height, but reaching up to nearly 5 metres in sections. A pedestrian access point to the station would remain. 4.5 The bridge over Longford River would be extended to include 3 separate lanes and 2 cycle ways with the footways on both sides being retained. New brick parapet walls would be constructed to the bridge. 4.6 Ancillary works such as pedestrian crossings are also included within the scheme. 4.7 Ammended plans were received during the consideration of the application revising the design of the pedestrian footbridge, setting it further away from neighbouring residential properties and future proofing it. 5.0 CONSULTATIONS 5.1 1829 neighbouring properties were consulted on 13 January 2016 and press and site notices displayed. 6 letters of objection and 2 letters of support were received. Concerns were received commenting as follows: Objection Response Loss of Trees A condition is recommended to ensure suitable replacement planting The negative impact of a 4 metre Concerns over the scale and high retaining wall (adjacent to impact of the retaining walls are Bridge House Pond) acknowledged, conditions requiring a suitable finish to the walls are recommended. Air Quality Concerns over air quality primarily result from the closing of the level crossing, which does not form part of this current application. Disturbance during construction/ This is not a planning ground for duration of works objecting to the scheme and is, in part governed by Transport and Environmental Health legislation. Impact on the highways network: The plans are considered to propose an improvement to the - Pedestrian safety at the highway pursuant to the closing junction of A312 and of the level crossing, which does Hanworth Road not form part of the current application. - Insufficient footbridge capacity The footbridge had been designed in detail to address - Insufficient justification to potential pedestrian flows in the shut the level crossing future - Location of bus stops The bus stops are located - Traffic problems directly adjacent to an entrance to the station so are sustainable, - Lack of commuter parking the increase in width of pavements addresses potential concerns in terms of safety Commuter parking does not come within the remit of the current application. Impact on town centre businesses There does not appear to be a basis for this concern, many of the improvements have been designed to facilitate improvements to the town centre. 5.2 The Environment Agency and Transport for London both responded to state they had no objection to the scheme. 5.3 The application was added to the pending list for week 7 (19 February 2016 – 26 February 2016) where it was stated the application was being forwarded to a planning committee. 6.0 POLICY Determining applications for full or outline planning permission 6.1 The determination must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Local finance considerations must also be assessed. The National Planning Policy Framework 6.2 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) came into force on 27 March 2012, and from April 2014 National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) in the form of an online guidance resource to support the NPPF came into effect. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) considers that, where pertinent, the NPPF and NPPG are material considerations and as such, will be taken into account in decision-making as appropriate. The Development Plan 6.3 The Development Plan for the Borough comprises the Council's Local Plan (adopted by the Council on 15 September 2015), the West London Waste Plan and the London Plan Consolidated with Alterations since 2011. The Local Plan documents can be viewed on the Planning Policy pages of the Hounslow website.