Retrospective plan for car sales on Lumb Lane site is refused

A planning application to change the site, 162 Lumb Lane, into a sales forecourt and site office, was heavily criticised by planning officers, who said the business has "a significant negative impact" on the nearby Conservation Area.

Submitted by Qaisar Nawaz, the application is for a business that has already been established on the site, with a metal fence installed around the land and an office building in place.

But Council officers raised numerous concerns about the work, ranging from the appearance of the site to pressures the business would put on local roads.

They pointed out that the site was near the Apsley Crescent Conservation Area, and said: "The site office is of a poor design, constructed in poor materials and is not informed by a good understanding of the site or its context.

Inspector says huge advertising sign 'causes harm' to city Conservation Area

"The structure appears as an incongruous addition in the streetscene, standing out in this area of high quality development, resulting in a significant negative impact on the built environment, harming the setting of the conservation area."

Highways officers said there would be "limited visibility" for vehicles entering the site, and a lack of staff and visitor parking meant there was likely to be an increase in on street parking on Lumb Lane.

Drainage officers said the site was previously scrubland that acted as natural drainage in heavy rain. It has since been covered with hardstanding, and officers said: "No planning permission has been sought to hard surface the area and no information is given as to how the site will drain.

"Hard surfacing the site is likely to increase the potential flood risk at a local level.

"Without any information to suggest otherwise, the significant areas of hard surfacing will put increased pressure on local services and the local drainage network, increasing the risk of localised flooding events."