Agenda and minutes

The Senior Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure

A Vice Chairman was not required

An apology for absence was received from Council Matthew Davies whose substitute was Councillor Donal Hassett

At this point in the meeting, declarations of interest are received from Members on 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; and

(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.

Councillor Les Kew declared an interest in the planning application at Maynard Terrace, Clutton (Item 1, Report 10) as he had relatives who owned land near to the site and he would therefore leave the meeting for its consideration. Councillor Rob Appleyard declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the same application as he was a Non-Executive Director of Curo (the applicants) and he would also leave the meeting for its consideration. Councillor Eleanor Jackson declared an interest in the application at Shortwood Common Cottage, Hinton Blewett (Item 1, Report 9) as she was acquainted with an electrician who was her near neighbour who had worked on her property and was involved in the application site. She would therefore leave the meeting for its consideration.

(Note: Councillor Caroline Roberts stated that, despite living in the vicinity of No 153 Newbridge Hill (Item 4, Report 10), she did not have an interest to declare on the application and would speak and vote on the matter.)

There was none

The Senior Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there were no speakers on matters other than on planning applications and that a number of people wished to make statements on planning applications who would be able to do so when reaching their respective items in Reports 9 and 10.

Councillor Paul Crossley had given notice to ask the Chairman whether she would be willing for the Committee to be webcasted. He gave reasons why he felt that this should be undertaken.

Members briefly discussed the matter and the majority of Members indicated that they supported the request. The Chairman undertook to raise the matter with the Cabinet.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 1^st July 2015

The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a correct record, subject to the deletion of “There were no items notified by Members in advance of the meeting” in Minute No 11 Items from Councillors and Co-opted Members.

The Committee considered

·  A report by the Group Manager – Development Management on applications for planning permission etc.

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

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc. on Items Nos 1 and 2, 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 (A) Authorise the Group Manager – Development Management, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to enter into a S106 Agreement to provide (i) highway improvements; and (ii) affordable housing; and (B) upon completion of the Agreement, authorise the Group Manager to grant permission subject to conditions. She reported on further representations received. The Update Report provided further information on the application and recommended revised wording to Condition 19.

The public speakers made their statements against and in favour of the application which was followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Tim Warren expressing concerns about the proposal. The Group Manager responded to a point raised regarding a tree preservation order and an error in a letter sent to residents.

Members asked questions about the application for clarification to which Officers responded. The Group Manager gave advice on the planning policies that applied to consideration of the application.

After considering the information provided, Councillor Eleanor Jackson moved the Officer recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley. Members briefly debated the motion after which it was put to the vote. Voting: 7 in favour and 1 against with 2 abstentions. Motion carried.

Item 2 Shortwood Common Cottage, Hook Lane, Hinton Blewett – Erection of two storey side and rear extension following demolition of existing kitchen and detached garages – The Planning Officer reported on this application and the recommendation to refuse permission.

The applicants’ agent made a statement in support of the proposal which was followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Tim Warren in favour of the application.

Councillor Les Kew considered that the proposal was in keeping with other properties in the area and the development was practically using the same footprint. There was no objection from highways, and ecology officers and it was supported by the Parish Council. He could see no reason for the application to be refused and therefore moved that the recommendation be overturned and that the application be delegated to Officers to grant permission subject to appropriate conditions. The motion was seconded by Councillor Donal Hassett.

Members debated the motion and expressed arguments for and against the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Committee considered

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

·  An Update Report by the Group Manager on Item Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 7, a copy of which is attached as Appendix 4 to these Minutes

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc. on Item Nos 1-4 and 9, 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 5 to these Minutes

Item 1 Parcel 0006 Maynard Terrace, Clutton – Modification of Planning Obligation 12/01882/OUT to reduce the affordable housing provision to 33% (Erection of 36 dwellings and associated works (Revised submission) – The Case Officer reported on this application and her amended recommendation in the Update Report to authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to enter into a Deed of Variation to the original S106 Agreement to reduce the level of affordable housing to 33%. The Update Report referred to further representations received and the Officer’s assessment.

The public speakers made their statements against and in favour of the application which was followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Karen Warrington against the proposal.

The Group Manager provided advice for Members regarding the issue of the 5 year housing land supply. The application still provided affordable housing that was 3% more than Council policy required. There were a number of options available to vary the S106 Agreement. Members asked questions about the application for clarification to which Officers responded.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson stated that she had attended the public local Inquiry to defend the Committee’s decision to refuse permission for the development. She expressed concern about the lack of a viability assessment to support the claim that the current scheme was unviable. She considered that the European Grant for viability was still in question and that there was a need for housing for young people in Clutton. She therefore moved that the recommendation be overturned and that the variation be refused on the basis of an inadequate viability assessment, failure to explore funding and the loss of social housing. The motion was seconded by Councillor Caroline Roberts.

The Group Manager stated that the funding mechanisms were not known and were not a planning consideration. The current planning policies needed to be considered and only 30% affordable housing was required and therefore the view of Officers was that viability testing was not required in this case. He advised that a new application on this basis would be compliant with the Council’s affordable housing policies. The Committee were advised that they could defer the application for a full viability assessment.

Members briefly debated the motion. Councillor Eleanor Jackson accepted the Group Manager’s advice regarding the funding issue and removed that reason from her motion for refusing the variation.

The motion was then put to the vote and was carried, 6  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To note the report

The Committee considered (1) the report of the Divisional Director - Development on the Masterplan for development at Parcel 3100 Charlton Road, Keynsham, in accordance with Policy KE4 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy; and (2) the recommendation, as amended in the Update Report, to agree the submitted Masterplan. The report described the site, set out the Decision Making Framework and gave the Officer assessment which concluded that the Masterplan was considered to be acceptable and would form a sound basis upon which the detailed design and development of the site could move forward. The Update Report (attached as Appendix 6) provided Officers’ comments on further representations received.

Members asked various questions about the proposal to which Officers responded. Members considered the proposed number of houses and school provision and landscaping. There was discussion about the Parkhouse Lane link between the 2 sites and possible road widening and the sites being included on a bus route. The Senior Planning Officer responded that road widening had not been settled yet but there was potential for a cycle/pedestrian route to Keynsham – further details would be produced at the detailed design stage.

After a full debate, it was unanimously RESOLVED to agree the submitted Masterplan.

The report was noted