Background to the Application and Draft Conditions
- The Applicant initially applied for development consent on 25 January 2016. The Application was notified, a number of objections were received, and amendments were made by the Applicant. While a recommendation to approve the Application (subject to conditions) was made by Council officers, on 17 November 2016 the Council resolved to refuse development consent, and landowner's consent. In short, the reasons for refusal were that the proposal: had an unacceptable impact on the built environment, including traffic impact; was unsuitable for the site, detracting from visual appeal and streetscape; and was not in the public interest, given public concern about conflicts with land use amenity and traffic and pedestrian safety.
- This appeal was filed on 3 April 2017. As a result of further discussion and ongoing negotiation between the parties, on 2 June 2017 leave was sought and granted for the amendment of plans. The layout of the proposed development was changed by adding a pedestrian path from Tweed Valley Way; relocating the fuel tanks, price sign, vents and spill collector and adding a rollover kerb section.
- At the commencement of this hearing, application was again made for amendment of the plans for which consent is sought, as the plans had been changed in response to recommendations from the experts. The Council did not oppose the application nor submit that a cost order was required, given the nature of the changes. Leave was duly granted for the amended plans to be relied upon. These plans form Exhibit J.
- Prior to the hearing, the Applicant continued to seek confirmation of matters which remained in dispute between the parties, as the experts appeared to have reached agreement on most matters. On 31 July 2017 - the day before the hearing - a document entitled "Supplementary Draft Without Prejudice Conditions of Consent" [Ex 8] was served by the Council on the Applicant. That document contained a number of further proposed draft conditions said by the Council to be responsive to the further work undertaken jointly by the experts. Further proposed draft Conditions of Consent were filed with the Court after the conclusion of the hearing. These draft conditions are agreed save for the condition identified as Deferred Commencement Condition number 2, which reads as follows:
The applicant must provide an amended schedule of materials and finishes which exhibits the following changes to the written satisfaction of the Council:
(a) Subdued, earthy colours have been adopted to minimise the visual impact of the proposal;
(b) Shell and Coles corporate colours are used for the business' logos only.
- During the hearing the Applicant challenged whether the new draft conditions ought to be considered as part of the hearing. Council's response was that the conditions were responsive to the amended plans prepared by the Applicant.
- Ultimately, notwithstanding the late notice I allowed the draft conditions to be tendered, as the experts were available in Court and in a position to express their opinion on them.