The application has now been refused. The applicant was requested to demonstrate how they intended to mitigate the impact of the loss of employment use and also, being a major development, they were asked to demonstrate how they would meet the requirement for affordable housing and open space as part of a new residential development.

In relation to the above, they did not provide acceptable details and, subsequently, they advised that they were considering amending the scheme to reduce the number of dwellings proposed so that there would be no requirement for affordable housing and open space.

After waiting for amended plans for many months, and with no sign of these being forthcoming, the applicant was given a deadline by which the amended plans must be submitted, otherwise the application would be determined on the basis of the information previously provided.

On the expiry of the deadline, with no amended plans provided, a decision to refuse the application was made for reasons relating to failure to comply with Policy 14 (related to the loss of an employment use) and no acceptable arrangement for affordable housing and open space as part of the proposed new residential development.