JB Planning Associates has successfully secured permission for amendments to a previously approved split-level car park that will serve the Headquarters of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in Stevenage.
JB Planning Associates had previously secured planning permission on behalf of the IET for a split-level car park in June 2019. The original application had been recommended for refusal by officers at Stevenage Borough Council on the grounds that the proposals would result in the over-provision of parking space and not promote the principles of sustainable travel. Members of the Planning and Development Committee did not however agree, citing the need to support a major employer and economic growth.
This recent application has allowed amendments to the car park’s design and layout. The principle of the proposed amendments had been discussed with the Local Planning Authority prior to the submission of the planning application, as well as the format of the proposed application in which it was agreed that the proposed revisions represent minor material amendments to the extant scheme. The submission of the minor material amendment (‘Section 73’) application allowed the Local Planning Authority to concentrate on the amendments themselves rather than having to reconsider the wider merits of the application.
The application received the support of officers and was granted planning permission by the Council’s Planning and Development Committee.
The proposed new car park will complement other works being proposed by the IET which include the refurbishment of Michael Faraday House and the creation of new floorspace which JB Planning Associates successfully obtained planning permission for earlier this year. These works will support the IET’s continued investment in the premises demonstrating their commitment to remain within the town and secure longterm employment.
The IET is a world leading professional organisation, promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (otherwise known as STEM subjects) across the world. There are 168,000 members of the IET in 150 countries. It has offices in the UK, China, Hong Kong, India and the USA. In 1989 Stevenage was chosen as the preferred location for its Headquarters and over 520 people are now employed in the town, with numbers expected to grow.
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