Agenda and minutes

The Chair will ask the Committee Administrator to draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6

The Senior Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure

A Vice Chair was not required

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Doug Nicol whose substitute was Councillor Manda Rigby

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 an 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.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any interests in matters before the Committee.

Councillor Bryan Organ declared an interest in the Tree Preservation Order at 35 West Hill Gardens, Radstock, as he knew the owner of the property through his Golf Club and said that he would leave the meeting for its consideration. Councillor Malcolm Lees declared an interest in the planning application at 12 High Street, Weston, Bath (Item 2, Report 11) as he had been involved in arranging a public meeting to discuss the application. Although he had been careful not to express any views and had maintained an open mind, he was concerned that there might be a perception that he had predetermined the matter. He would therefore make a statement as Ward Member and leave the meeting for its consideration. Councillor Manda Rigby declared an interest in the applications at Roman Candles, Terrace Walk, Bath, as she had predetermined the matter. She would therefore make a statement as Ward Member and then leave the meeting for its consideration.

There was none

The Senior Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there was a speaker wishing to make a statement on the Tree Preservation Order at Hillscroft, Bulls Hill, Wellow (Report 12) and that he would be able to do so when reaching that Item on the Agenda. There were also various members of the public etc wishing to make statements on planning applications in Reports 10 and 11 and they would be able to do so when reaching their respective items in those Reports.

There was none

The Chair referred to an e-mail received by Officers shortly before the meeting from the Applicant’s Agents in respect of Minute 61 Item 4 relating to Parcel 0006, Maynard Terrace, Clutton, requesting additions to that Minute. After due consideration, Members resolved that the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 26^th September 2012 be approved without amendment and they were signed by the Chair as a correct record

The Senior Professional – Major Developments to provide an oral update

The Senior Professional – Major Developments updated Members on major developments as follows:

·  University of Bath - The S106 Agreement had been agreed in principle and would be signed shortly

·  Southgate – The vaults were progressing and interest had been expressed by retailers for these units

·  Former Cadbury’s, Somerdale, Keynsham – An archaeological investigation had been undertaken and had revealed evidence of significant Roman remain on the lower lying land west of the factory buildings. An application from the developers, Taylor Wimpey, was anticipated in the near future

In response to Members’ queries regarding other sites, he responded regarding:

·  Norton Radstock Regeneration – He would inform Councillor Eleanor Jackson if there were any updates

·  MOD Bath sites – There appear to be prospective purchasers for all 3 sites. Land south of Granville Road, Lansdown, had been sold and a scheme would be submitted but no timescale had been fixed

·  Former Bath Press site, Lower Bristol Road, Bath – A revised scheme was in its later stages and should be reported to Committee in the next few months

·  Network Rail Electrification – Liaison meetings had been held but no details were available at present. Detailed drawings were required which would not be available until next year.

The Committee noted the report.

The Committee considered

·  A report by the Development Manager on a planning application at 41 Elliston Drive, Southdown, Bath

·  An oral statement by the applicant’s agent speaking in support of the proposal, the Speakers List being attached as Appendix 1 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 2 to these Minutes.

41 Elliston Drive, Southdown, Bath – Erection of dormer window – The applicant’s agent made his statement in support of the proposal. The Team Leader, Development Management, reported on the application and the recommendation to refuse permission. The Ward Councillor Paul Crossley read out a statement by his fellow Ward Councillor Dine Romero supporting the application. He then made his own statement supporting the proposal.

Councillor Brian Webber agreed with the comments made by the Ward Members and felt that the design and visual impact of the proposed dormer was acceptable. Accordingly, he moved that the recommendation be overturned and that permission be granted with the conditions cited, namely, obscured glass and fixed windows. The motion was seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman who referred to the Appeal Inspector’s decisions. She felt that the proposal was acceptable because it was smaller than the previous dormer and the materials were in keeping with the area.

Members debated the motion. Councillor Neil Butters considered that the case was marginal but that he supported it on balance. Councillor Les Kew felt that it spoilt the roof scape and supported the Officer recommendation. The Officer responded to queries by Councillor Eleanor Jackson regarding how much weight should be given to the fact that the site was not in a Conservation Area but within a World Heritage Site, and the number of extensions already on the rear of the houses in Elliston Drive. Councillor David Veale supported the proposal but felt that there should be some dormer design guidance to process such applications more speedily.

The motion was put to the vote. Voting: 10 in favour and 3 against. Motion carried.

The Committee considered

·  A report by the Development Manager on various applications for planning permission etc

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc on Item Nos 1-5, the Speakers List being attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  An Update Report by the Development Manager on Items Nos 1-3, a copy of which is attached as Appendix 3 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 4 to these Minutes.

Item 1 Town Hall, The Centre, Keynsham – Erection of new buildings to provide offices, library, one stop shop, retail with associated highway works, new public realm works and landscaping following the demolition of all the buildings currently on site (excluding the multi storey car park which will be extended) – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to Permit subject to £700,000 being put aside for off-site improvement works in terms of highway improvements, public access/public realm improvements, and to various conditions. He referred to the Update Report which comprised consultation responses from various bodies and referred to additional letters of representation. He stated that a further letter of representation had subsequently been received. The Officer stated that there was some harm to the historic environment but that, in his view, this was outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the scheme. The Chair stated that Members had received two technical briefings on the scheme in the presence of Planning Officers and that a petition had been received objecting to the design.

The public speakers made their statements on the application. Councillor David Bellotti, as Cabinet Member for Community Resources, made a statement in support of the scheme which was followed by a statement by Councillor Charles Gerrish as adjoining Ward Member also in support.

Councillor Bryan Organ opened the debate. He referred to the reasons for the earlier deferral of the application and observed that many of the historic buildings in the Conservation Area were no longer there. He felt that a different design would mean that the building could not fulfil its various functions. In his view, the objectors who had signed the petition objecting to the design only represented a very small percentage of the local population. He supported the proposal and accordingly moved the Officer recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Les Kew.

Members asked questions to which the Officer responded. The Chair felt that the trees/greenery in the application should be maximised. Councillor Nicholas Coombes was still opposed to the scheme for various reasons and agreed with the views of English Heritage. There should be a scheme that created less harm to the environment/conservation area but with the same public benefits. Councillor Les Kew felt that there had been a lot of improvements to the design and the development would provide a nucleus for further developments and increase the footfall in the town. It was important to ensure that there was quality of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The Committee considered

·  A report by the Senior Arboricultural Officer which 1) informed the Committee that an objection had been received to the making of a Tree Preservation Order at Hillscroft, Bulls Hill, Wellow, which was provisionally made on 26^th May 2102 to protect a Silver Birch and a Poplar which make a contribution to the landscape and amenity of the Conservation Area; and 2) recommended after considering the objection that the Order be confirmed without modification

·  An oral statement by a representative of Wild Wood Tree Surgeons objecting to the Order

Councillor Neil Butters moved that a Site Visit be held to fully appreciate whether the trees made a contribution to the amenity of the area. This was seconded by Councillor Les Kew.

RESOLVED that a Site Visit be made on Monday 12^th November and the matter be resubmitted to the Committee at its meeting on Wednesday 21^st November 2012

The Committee considered a report by the Senior Arboricultural Officer which 1) informed that two objections had been received following the making of a Tree Preservation Order which had been provisionally made on 2^nd May to protect a Sycamore which made a contribution to the landscape and amenity of the Conservation Area; and 2) recommended after considering the objections that the Order be confirmed without modification.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson considered that, although the tree needed some work, it was worthy of retention and therefore moved that the Officer recommendation be approved. The motion was seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman. Councillor Les Kew moved an amendment that the matter be deferred for a Site Visit to assess the significance of the tree. This was seconded by Councillor David Veale.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred for a Site Visit on Monday 12^th November and be resubmitted to the Committee on Wednesday 21^st November 2012 and that, as this Order would lapse after 7^th November, a new Order be made to run either before this date or consecutively in order that the tree can be preserved before the Committee makes its decision

(Note: Councillors Bryan Organ, Manda Rigby and Brian Webber had left the meeting before consideration of this Item).

Members commended the Officers on the success rate of appeals that had been dismissed.

The report was noted.

The appropriate Officer(s) will make an oral report to update Members on progress

The Development Manager stated that there was nothing further on which to update Members at this time.