Agenda and minutes

The Senior Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda

A Vice Chairman was not required

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Matthew Davies and Les Kew whose respective substitutes were Councillors Donal Hassett and Karen Warrington

At this point in the meeting, declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number and site in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or other interest (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There was none

There was none

The Senior Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there were two members of the public wishing to make statements on the Tree Preservation Order at Bathford (Report 10) and that they would be able to do so when reaching that item on the Agenda. There were also a number of people wishing to make statements on the planning applications in Report 9 and that they would be able to do so when reaching their respective items in that Report.

There were no items notified by Members in advance of the meeting. However, Councillor Eleanor Jackson expressed her gratitude on behalf of the residents in Frome Road, Radstock, regarding the diligence and vigilance shown by Officers in arranging for the clearance of a rat-infested garden in Frome Road. The Chairman stated that the message would be passed to the appropriate Officers.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 10^th June 2015

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 10^th June 2015 were approved as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman

The Committee considered

·  The report of the Group Manager – Development Management on various applications for planning permission etc.

·  An Update Report by the Group Manager on Item 5, a copy of which is attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc. on Item Nos. 1-6, a copy of the Speakers List being attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes

RESOLVED that, in accordance with their delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the Decisions List attached as Appendix 3 to these Minutes

Item 1 Leacroft House, Bristol Road, West Harptree – Erection of new dwellings, access, landscaping and attenuation pond and refurbishment of Leacroft House following demolition of Leacroft Bungalow and outbuildings associated with former builder’s yard – The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation to Delegate to permit subject to conditions. She referred to some small amendments to the report which included a correction to the plans list so that the plan ending 001 referred to plan ending 001 revision B instead and that a further condition would need to be added relating to landscaping management.

The applicants’ agent made a statement in favour of the proposal. Councillor Liz Richardson made a statement on behalf of the Ward Councillor Tim Warren who was unable to attend the meeting.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson opened the debate. She considered that the number of houses would alleviate some of the pressure for housing and that affordable housing would be included in the scheme. There was an attenuation pond included which would help to sustain wildlife and the appearance of the site would be vastly improved from its current state. She therefore moved approval of the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley.

Members debated the motion and discussed the issue of affordable housing and how it would be integrated into the scheme. Councillor David Veale considered that a good percentage of the proposed houses were outside the housing boundary. The appearance and condition of the land and buildings was poor as they had been misused. He considered that there was no pressure to build more houses and queried whether it would be useful to hold a site visit. The Team Manager – Development Management stated that the scheme was policy compliant and in accordance with the Core Strategy and Emerging Plan regarding the number of proposed houses. He also stated that when housing figures for villages like West Harptree were produced they took account of the smaller ‘windfall’ sites within the existing housing boundary. Furthermore, a significant advantage of developing larger sites such as this was that an element of affordable housing would be included. It was also considered that there was no detrimental effect on the AONB but if members were minded to refuse the application the Team manager suggested that a site visit should take place beforehand.

The motion to Delegate to permit subject to conditions was put to the vote. Voting: 4 in favour and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider a recommendation to confirm this Tree Preservation Order without modification

The Committee considered (1) a report by the Senior Arboricultural Officer (i) referring to this Tree Preservation Order provisionally made on 31st March 2015 to protect woodland which it was considered made a contribution to the landscape and visual amenity of the locality; (ii) stating that an objection to the Order had been received from the owner of the woodland; and (iii) recommending that the Order be confirmed without modification; (2) an Update Report by the Senior Arboricultural Officer referring to the receipt of a representation from a resident of Meadow Park regarding a lease attached to the deeds of their property regarding the woodland; and (3) oral statements by a representative of the Parish Council and a member of the public supporting the Order.

The Senior Arboricultural Officer gave a power point presentation on the main points raised within the report and stated that the issue of the lease raised by a local resident was a private law matter which was not relevant to consideration of the report.

Members asked questions to which the Officer responded. Councillor Paul Crossley considered that this was an important woodland in a built–up area and that it needed to be managed under the control of a tree preservation order. He therefore moved approval of the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Bryan Organ. The Members voted unanimously in favour.

RESOLVED that the Order entitled “Bath and North East Somerset Council (Land between Meadow Park and Box Road, Bathford No. 7) Tree Preservation Order 2015” be confirmed without modification

The Committee noted the report.

Councillor Paul Crossley considered that it would be useful if future reports could include a reference to those applications to which the Chairman had not agreed to requests by Councillors to come before the Committee. The Chairman agreed.