Agenda item

The Committee considered

·  The report of the Group Manager – Development Management on an application for planning permission

·  An Update Report by the Group Manager on this application, the Report being attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc., the Speakers List being attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes

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

Broad Mead, Broadmead Lane, Keynsham – Development of land off Broadmead Lane, Keynsham, for a marina which comprises 326 berths and designed to accommodate a variety of craft sizes; a marina facilities building with 24 hour access to toilets, showers and laundry with daytime access to a reception and chandlery; car parking for a maximum of 144 cars will be designed as a series of satellite car parks screened by suitable vegetation; and a tearoom and office included within the facilities building – The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation to refuse permission. She referred to the Update Report which provided further information on ecology and the impact on highway safety and recommended that the wording of the first reason for refusal be amended for clarity purposes.

The public speakers made their statements against and in favour of the application.

Councillor Bryan Organ, Ward Member on the Committee, commented on the application. He stated that a lot of work had been undertaken on the proposal in recent years and some of the problems overcome. However, there were still other issues such as ecology that needed to be addressed. This was a leisure proposal and not residential as he had previously thought. Overall, he supported the application but it still required more work. It was a high number of berths and he felt that some monitoring of occupation was needed. Improvements in the area would be good for the river as a whole.

Councillor Paul Crossley agreed with the Officer recommendation and moved refusal of permission. He considered that a number of issues, including parking, ecology and housing displacement, had not been adequately addressed. Some form of masterplan was required for this area of the Broadmead peninsula. The motion was seconded by Councillor Rob Appleyard.

Members debated the motion. It was generally felt that, although the principle of the development could be supported, there still too many issues that required further work. Councillor Jasper Becker raised a couple of issues regarding the loss of existing moorings and the need for a masterplan for this length of the river. A number of Members raised concerns about the loss of existing residential moorings and the consequent effect on the occupants. The Case Officer responded that the loss of moorings had been considered but there were no policies for their protection; the Principal Solicitor advised Members that the human rights of the residents of the moorings should be considered. The Team Manager – Development Management stated that Officers were considering a more strategic approach to the use and development of the river.

After some further discussion regarding two houseboats being included in the application and the loss of moorings, the motion was put to the vote and was carried, 5 voting in favour and 1 against with 4 abstentions.