Proposal: Demolish existing buildings and erect nursery and playground with ancillary community hall use (Class D1), erect nine dwellinghouses, layout parking, install vehicular access on to Centurion Close and associated landscaping

Applicant:  Public Sector Partnership (Southend) LLP

Agent:  Bidwells

 

Planning permission GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

 

01  The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than 3 years beginning with the date of this permission.

 

Reason: Required to be imposed pursuant to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 

02  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans:

 729_P_700;  729_P_702;  729_P_703;  729_P_704; 729_P_705;  734_P_706;  734_P_707;  729_P_708; 729_P_710;  729_P_712;  729_P_713;  729_P_714; 729_P_718;  729_P_720;  729_P_721;  729_P_722; 729_P_723;  729_P_724;  729_P_725;  734_P_730; 734_P_731 ; 734_P_732;  734_P_73 P2;  734_P_734; 734_P_735;  734_P_737;  734_P_740;  734_P_741; 734_P_742; 734_P_743

 

Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the development plan.

 

03  No construction works for the nursery building above the floor slab level shall take place until samples and product details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external elevations of the nursery building hereby permitted, including cladding, fenestration, canopy and screening have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: To safeguard character and appearance of surrounding area in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy and Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009

 

04  No construction works for the dwellings shall take place until samples and product details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external elevations of the buildings hereby permitted, including cladding, screening, balustrades, glazed brickwork and fenestration have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason:  To safeguard character and appearance of surrounding area in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy and Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009

 

05  No construction works for the housing above the floor slab level shall take place until details of fenestration including reveals, brick patterning panels, and glazed brickwork within window frames, at a scale of at least 1:20 have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason:  To safeguard character and appearance of surrounding area in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy and Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009

 

06  Prior to the display of any signage relating to the Nursery details shall be submitted to an approved by the Local Planning Authority and the signage shall be displayed only in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason:  To safeguard character and appearance of surrounding area in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy and Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009

 

07  No construction works for the nursery building above the floor slab level shall take place until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and these works shall be carried out as approved.  These details shall include: proposed finished levels or contours; means of enclosure, boundary treatment, forecourt, pedestrian access and circulation areas; hard surfacing materials;  minor artefacts and structures (eg. furniture, benches, bollards, refuse or other storage units, lighting etc.) 

 

Details for the soft landscape works shall include the number, size and location of the trees, shrubs and plants to be planted together with a planting specification, and landscape management plan, site preparation and planting details, long term design objectives, management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for all landscape areas

 

The hard landscaping shall be installed prior to first occupation of the development and the soft landscaping works shall be implemented prior to the end of the first planting season following first occupation of the development. Management of the landscaping shall be implemented in accordance with the agree management plan.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and the amenities of occupiers and to ensure a satisfactory standard of landscaping pursuant to Policy CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1,  Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009.

 

08  No construction works for the dwellings shall take place until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and these works shall be carried out as approved.  These details shall include: proposed finished levels or contours; means of enclosure, boundary treatment, forecourt, shared space and pedestrian access and circulation areas; details of the method of preventing vehicular access between the site and The Renown; hard surfacing materials;  minor artefacts and structures (eg. planters, furniture, benches, bollards, refuse or other storage units, lighting etc.) 

 

Details for the soft landscape works shall include the number, size and location of the trees, shrubs and plants to be planted together with a planting specification, details for the soft landscape works shall include the number, size and location of the trees, shrubs and plants to be planted together with a planting specification, and landscape management plan, site preparation and planting details, long term design objectives, management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for all landscape areas

 

The hard landscaping shall be installed prior to first occupation of the development and the soft landscaping works shall be implemented prior to the end of the first planting season following first occupation of the development and planting to all public areas permanently retained thereafter.    Management of the landscaping shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed management plan.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and the amenities of occupiers and to ensure a satisfactory standard of landscaping pursuant to Policy CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1, Policy DM1 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide.

 

09  The nursery shall not be occupied until 8 car parking spaces have been laid out within the site in accordance with drawing P_702 and shown as Nursery Staff Parking and Parent Drop - off. The parking spaces shall be permanently retained thereafter for the parking of staff and visitors to the development. 

 

Reason: To ensure that adequate car parking is provided and retained to serve the nursery development in accordance with Policies CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

10  No dwelling shall be occupied until 2 parking spaces per dwelling and the “New Mews” shared surface has been laid out within the site in accordance with drawing P_702 to serve the dwellings and to allow vehicles to access the site and for vehicles to turn so that they may enter and leave the site in forward gear.  The parking spaces/shared space shall be permanently retained thereafter, the parking shall be retained for occupiers and visitors to the development. 

 

Reason: To ensure that adequate car parking and access is provided and retained to serve the houses development in accordance with Policies CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

11  Access to the Renown from the development shall be restricted to pedestrian and cycle access only.

 

Reason: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Policies CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

12  The nursery development shall not be occupied until a parking management plan for the nursery development has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  On first occupation of the Nursery development the agreed management plan shall be implemented as approved. 

 

Reason: To ensure that the car parking is satisfactorily managed in the interests of traffic management and highway safety in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

13  No construction works for the nursery building above the floor slab level shall take place until details of refuse store have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The refuse store shall be installed as in accordance with the approved details prior to first occupation of the development and permanently retained thereafter. Waste storage and collection from the development shall be carried out in accordance with details set out in the submitted Design and Access Statement dated December 2016

 

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to ensure that satisfactory waste management is undertaken in the interests of highway safety and visual amenity and to protect the character of the surrounding area, in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

14  No construction works for the housing development above the floor slab level shall take place until details of the refuse stores shown on plan No  P_702 have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The refuse stores shall be installed in accordance with the approved details prior to first occupation of the housing development and permanently retained thereafter.

 

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to protect the character of the surrounding area, in accordance with Policies KP2 and CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and  Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

15  The Nursery development shall not be occupied until details of secure, covered cycle parking spaces to serve the development have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented on first occupation and shall be permanently retained thereafter. 

 

Reason: To ensure that adequate cycle parking is provided and retained to serve the development in accordance with Policies CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

16  No development shall take place for any phase of the development (as defined in the Design and Access Statement dated December 2016)   including any works of demolition, until a Construction Method Statement for that phase of the development has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The approved Statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period for the related phase of development.  The Statement shall provide, amongst other things, for:

i)  the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors

ii)  loading and unloading of plant and materials

iii)  storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development

iv)  the erection and maintenance of security hoarding 

v)  measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during

construction

vi)  a scheme for recycling/disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction works that does not allow for the burning of waste on site.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and the amenities of surrounding occupiers to Policies Policy DM1 and MD3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

17. No mechanical plant or extraction/ventilation equipment to serve the Nursery shall  be  installed  unless  details  of  the  proposed  plant  or extraction/ventilation  equipment  have  previously  been  submitted  to  and agreed by the Local Planning Authority. The equipment shall be installed and retained thereafter in accordance with the approved plans and details. With reference to BS4142, the noise rating level arising from all plant and extraction/ventilation equipment should be at least 5dB(A) below the prevailing background at 3.5 metres from the ground floor façades and 1m from all other facades of the nearest noise sensitive property with no tonal or impulsive character. Appropriate mitigation should then be recommended as necessary.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and the amenities of surrounding occupiers to Policies Policy DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

18. No meter boxes shall be installed on the front of the dwellings or side elevations of the dwellings that face a highway. No meter boxes shall be installed on the eastern or northern elevation of the nursery building unless their design and location has previously been submitted to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority prior to installation and the meter boxes installed thereafter in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity in accordance with Policies DM1 and MD3 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009.

 

19  Prior to installation of any external lighting to the development, details of the lighting shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and the lighting shall only be installed and retained in accordance with the approved details. 

 

Reason: In the interest of the visual amenities and character of the area, and to protect the amenities of surrounding occupiers in accordance with   Policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Core Strategy 2009.

 

20  No development shall take place until details of the implementation, maintenance and management of a scheme for surface water drainage works have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The scheme shall be implemented and thereafter managed and maintained in accordance with the approved details. Those details shall include:

 

i)   An investigation of the feasibility of infiltration SUDS as the preferred approach to establish if the principles of any infiltration based surface water drainage strategy are achievable across the site, based on ground conditions.  Infiltration or soakaway tests should be provided which fully adhere to BRE365 guidance to demonstrate this.  Infiltration features should be included where infiltration rates allow; 

ii)  Drainage plans and drawings showing the proposed locations and dimensions of all aspects of the proposed surface water management scheme.  The submitted plans should demonstrate the proposed drainage layout will perform as intended based on the topography of the site and the location of the proposed surface water management features; 

iii)   a timetable for its implementation; and

vii)  a management and maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development which shall include the arrangements for adoption by any public body or statutory undertaker, or any other arrangements to secure the operation of the sustainable drainage scheme throughout its lifetime.

 

Reason: To prevent flooding by ensuring the satisfactory storage and disposal of surface water from the site for the lifetime of the development and to prevent environmental and amenity problems arising from flooding in accordance with Policy KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy 2007 and area in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM2 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

21  Demolition or construction works shall not take place outside 07:30hours to 18:00hours Mondays to Fridays and 08:00hours to 13:00hours on Saturdays nor at any time on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of occupiers of the development surrounding occupiers and to protect the character the area in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

22  No construction works above the level of the floor slab of the Nursery shall take place until details of the proposed Photovoltaic cells set out in the submitted Energy and Sustainability Statement by Norman Bromley Partnership have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme as approved shall be implemented and brought into use on first occupation of the Nursery development. 

 

Reason: To ensure the development maximises the use of renewable and recycled energy, water and other resources, in accordance with Policy KP2 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM2 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

23  No construction works above the level of the floor slab of the dwellings  shall take place until details of the proposed Photovoltaic cells set out in the submitted Energy and Sustainability Statement by Norman Bromley Partnership have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme as approved shall be implemented and brought into use on first occupation of the dwellings.

 

Reason: To ensure the development maximises the use of renewable and recycled energy, water and other resources, in accordance with Policy KP2 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM2 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

24  Notwithstanding the provisions of Schedule 2 Part 1 Classes A, B, C, D or F and Schedule 2 part 2 Class A of the  Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) (or any order revoking, re-enacting or modifying that Order), no development extensions or alterations to the dwellings or walls or fences or other means of enclosure shall be erected  unless previously agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

 

Reason: In order to protect the character and visual amenities of the development and the surrounding area and the amenities of occupiers in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015 and the Design and Townscape Guide 2009.

 

25  No construction works above the level of the floor slab shall take place until details of the new accesses, removal of the existing redundant crossovers and street furniture, carriageway widening, on street car parking spaces and public realm improvements (e.g new paving to the front of the site) as shown on plan ref 729 P_708 have been submitted to Southend Borough Council (as local planning authority and highway authority) and  the Council has approved in writing a full scheme of works and the relevant highways approvals are in place. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and retained thereafter.  

 

Reason: In the interests of sustainability, accessibility, highways management, efficiency and safety in accordance DPD1 (Core Strategy) 2007 policy KP2, KP3 and CP3, Policy DM1and DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

26  The Nursery building  shall only be used for purposes within Class D1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as amended April 2005 (or any statutory modification or re-enactment or replacement thereof (as the case may be) for the time being in force).

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of occupiers of the development surrounding occupiers to protect the character the area in accordance and to ensure that parking provision to serve the development is sufficient, in accordance with KP2, CP3 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1, DM3 and DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

27  The rating level of noise for all activities associated with the Nursery/Community Hall (including amplified and unamplified music) should be at least 10dB(A) below the background noise (with no tonal elements) to ensure inaudibility in noise sensitive premises. If noise modelling software is used to calculate the likely levels or impact of the noise then any actual measurement taken such as LA90 must be taken in accordance with BS7445.  The assessment should be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced acoustic consultant who would normally be a member of the Institute of Acoustics.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of occupiers of the development surrounding occupiers and to protect the character the area in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

28  The Nursery/Community Hall building shall not be open for use outside the hours of 7:00 – 23:00 hours Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 23:00 Saturdays and 9.00 to 17:00 Sundays and Bank Holidays.

 

Reason: In order to protect the surrounding occupiers and to protect the character the area in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

29  Prior to first occupation of the Nursery a Travel Plan must be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The Travel Plan must include details of:

(a)  A comprehensive survey of all users of the nursery school;

(b)  Targets set in the Plan to reduce car journeys to the nursery school;

(c)  A timetable from implementation

(d) Details of how the Travel Plan will be regularly monitored and amended, if necessary, if targets identified in the Plan are not being met over a period of 5 years from the date the new Nursery school building is occupied.

 

At the end of the first and third years of the life of the Travel Plan, reports monitoring the effectiveness of the Travel Plan and setting out any proposed changes to the Plan to overcome any identified problems must be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The Travel Plan must be implemented in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority.

 

Reason: In the interests of sustainability, accessibility, highways efficiency and safety, residential amenity and general environmental quality in accordance with Policies CP3 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policy DM15 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

30  The external intrusive noise mitigation measures for the  residences set out in the acoustic report submitted by Hepworth Acoustics dated December 2016 (including double glazing, external fabric specification and boundary treatment) shall be implemented to  ensure  that  internal  and  external  noise  levels  will  meet  the  recommended acoustic criteria based on the guidelines set out in BS 8233: 2014.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of future occupiers of the dwellings in accordance with policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

31  The external intrusive noise mitigation measures for the Nursery set out in the acoustic report submitted by Hepworth Acoustics dated December 2016 shall be implanted to ensure that indoor noise levels meet the recommended acoustic criteria based on the guidelines set out in BB93.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of future users of the Nursery in accordance with policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

32  During any Construction and Demolition there shall be no burning of waste material on the site.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of surrounding residents in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1.

 

33.  A full asbestos survey of the building(s) to be demolished shall be carried out by a suitably qualified person prior to demolition. Any asbestos containing material(s) (ACM) must be removed and disposed off-site to a facility licenced by the Environment Agency. A waste transfer certificate must be submitted to the local planning authority prior to development commencing.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of surrounding occupiers in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

34. Contaminated Land

1.   Site Characterisation

With the exception of demolition, grubbing up of foundations and site clearance no development shall take place until an assessment of the nature and extent of contamination has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This assessment must be undertaken by a competent person, and shall assess any contamination on the site, whether or not it originates on the site. Moreover, it must include: 

(i) a survey of the extent, scale and nature of contamination; 

(ii) an assessment of the potential risks to: 

•   human health, 

• property (existing or proposed) including buildings, crops,

livestock, pets, woodland and service lines and pipes, 

•   adjoining land,  

•   groundwaters and surface waters, 

•   ecological systems, 

•   archaeological sites and ancient monuments; 

2. Submission of Remediation Scheme

With the exception of demolition, grubbing up of foundations and site clearance no development shall take place until a detailed remediation scheme to bring the site to a condition suitable for the intended use by removing unacceptable risks to human health, buildings and other property and the natural and historical environment has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme must include all works to be undertaken, proposed remediation objectives and remediation criteria, an appraisal of remedial options, and proposal of the preferred option(s), and a timetable of works and site management procedures. The scheme must ensure that the site will not qualify as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to the intended use of the land after remediation. 

3. Implementation of Approved Remediation Scheme

The remediation scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved timetable of works. Within 3 months of the completion of measures identified in the approved remediation scheme, a validation report (that demonstrates the effectiveness of the remediation carried out) must be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. 

4. Reporting of Unexpected Contamination

In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development that was not previously identified it must be reported in writing within 14 days to the Local Planning Authority and once the Local Planning Authority has identified the part of the site affected by the unexpected contamination development must be halted on that part of the site. 

An assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of condition 1, and where remediation is necessary a remediation scheme, together with a timetable for its implementation, must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in accordance with the requirements of condition 2. 

The measures in the approved remediation scheme must then be implemented in accordance with the approved timetable. Following completion of measures identified in the approved remediation scheme a validation report must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in accordance with condition 3. 

5. Long Term Monitoring and Maintenance

No development shall take place until a monitoring and maintenance scheme to include monitoring the long-term effectiveness of the proposed remediation over a period of 5 years, and the provision of reports on the same must both be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Following completion of the measures identified in that scheme and when the remediation scheme is complete, reports that demonstrate the effectiveness of the monitoring and maintenance carried out must be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. 

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of surrounding and future occupiers in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

35. Prior to installation final specifications and acoustic properties of any landscaping/ fencing to be provided to the playground area shall be submitted to and approved by, the Local Planning Authority, the landscaping/fencing shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and subsequently retained thereafter.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of surrounding and future occupiers in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

36. Deliveries and collections to the Nursery/Community Hall shall take place between: 08:00-19:00hrs Monday to Friday; and 08:00-13:00hrs Saturday only with no deliveries on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

 

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of surrounding and future occupiers in accordance with policies KP2 and CP4 of the Core Strategy DPD1 and Policies DM1 and DM3 of the Development Management DPD 2015.

 

Informatives:

 

01  Please note that the proposed development subject of this application is liable for a charge under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended). Enclosed with this decision notice is a CIL Liability Notice for the applicant’s attention and any other person who has an interest in the land. This contains details of the chargeable amount and how to claim exemption or relief if appropriate. There are further details on this process on the Council's website at www.southend.gov.uk/cil.

 

02  In relation to Condition 25; you are advised to contact Highways Engineer – Martin Warren; (Tel: 01702 215003) to discuss the requisite Highways Licence/Agreements under the Highways Act 1980. You are advised that a Highways Licence/Agreement needs to be in place before any works are carried out to the public highway and any works will need to be carried out by a Council approved contractor.

 

03 The applicant is reminded that this permission does not bestow compliance with other regulatory frameworks. In particular your attention is drawn to the statutory nuisance provisions within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended) and also to the relevant sections of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The provisions apply to the construction phase and not solely to the operation of the completed development. Contact 01702 215005 for more information.

 

04. The developer should also consider control measures detailed in Best Practice Guidance “The control of dust and emissions from construction and demolition”.  http://www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan/guides/bpg/bpg_04.jsp

 

05. The applicant is advised that the application site is within the general vicinity of former MOD ranges and that site operatives should be mindful of the potential for unexploded ordnance when carrying out any excavations.

 

The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against all material considerations, including planning policies and any representations that may have been received and subsequently determining to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.  The detailed analysis is set out in a report on the application prepared by officers.