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

There was none

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.

Councillor Liz Hardman declared an interest in the planning application at Parcel 3300, Temple Inn Lane, Temple Cloud (Item 2, Report 9) as she knew the applicant and therefore would leave the meeting and would not participate in its consideration.

There were no items of urgent business

The Senior Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting of the public speaking procedure and that members of the public could make their statements when reaching their respective items in Reports 9, 10 and 13 on the Agenda.

Councillor Martin Veal informed the meeting that he would need to leave the meeting early. Councillor Manda Rigby enquired as to the current situation on the Gibbs Mews development in Walcot Street. The Team Manager – Development Management stated that there was nothing to add to the comments he made at the last meeting of the Committee and that there should be further information available by the next meeting in April.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th February 2014

Councillor Les Kew referred to Minute No 139 on page 13 of the Agenda relating to the former Radco Furniture Warehouse, Waterloo Road, Radstock. He clarified that natural stone would now be used instead of reconstructed stone as indicated in the Minute. The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February 2014 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Committee considered

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

·  An Update Report on Item No 2, a copy of which report is attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc. on Item Nos. 1-6, 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 No 22 Rotcombe Vale, High Littleton – Erection of a two storey 3 bedroom house in front garden – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to grant permission subject to conditions.

The public speaker made a statement against the application.

Councillor Les Kew opened the debate. He considered that the design was alien to the street scene and was overdevelopment of the site. There was a covenant on the existing house restricting the garden to car parking. There was also an issue in that the pre-application advice that had been given indicating that the scheme could be approved had not been referred to in the Officer’s report. He also noted that the application had originally been delegated by the Chair to the Officers for a decision. The Chair responded that it had been signed off for an approval but that he had allowed it to be referred to the Committee afterwards. He would write to the applicant regarding the procedure.

Councillor Bryan Organ could not support the application as it was out from the building line, it was overdevelopment of the site, the design was out of character with surrounding properties and there would be overlooking. On this basis, he moved that the Officer recommendation be overturned and permission be refused. The motion was seconded by Councillor Brian Webber.

Members debated the motion. A number of Members spoke in favour of the development as it was in a sustainable location, the number of cars that could be parked at this and surrounding properties was not an issue and a different design made the street scene more interesting. Other Members supported the motion as they found the design to be unacceptable and would spoil the character of the area. The Chair stated that it was a finely balanced decision but that he would support the proposal.

He therefore put the motion to the vote. Voting: 5 in favour and 8 against. Motion lost.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson therefore moved the Officer’s recommendation to

grant permission, with conditions, which was seconded by Councillor Doug Nicol. The Chair put this motion to the vote and it was carried, 8 voting in favour and 5 against.

Item 2 Parcel 3300, Temple Inn Lane, Temple Cloud - Development of the site for residential purposes (approximately 70 dwellings) with associated public open space, landscaping and parking. Primary vehicular access from Temple Inn Lane to be determined (internal access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved for subsequent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

The Committee considered

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

·  An Update Report on Item Nos. 1-3 and 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, 2 and 4, 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 4 to these Minutes.

Items 1&2 Sawclose Car Park, Bath – (1) Erection of hotel (C1), 2 restaurants (A3) and casino (Sui Generis), alterations works to listed buildings (Gala Bingo Club, Market and Bluecoat House boundary walls) and associated hard landscaping works following the demolition of unlisted buildings (former clinic, former weighbridge kiosk, Regency Garage and Nos. 1-2 Bridewell Lane)(Ref No. 13/04234/EFUL); and (2) alterations to Gala Bingo Club comprising demolition of north and east extensions; removal of internal balcony/gallery, pay box, toilets and platform lift; internal structural alterations including construction of new concrete floors at first floor level supported on new columns; associated works. Alterations to the market comprising removal of rear walls, lobby, bar and canopy, partition walls and staircases; structural alterations including new walls, timber floors at first and second floor, stairs and lift, fire protection works. Alterations to Bluecoat House boundary walls comprising substantial removal of west and east walls, removal of north wall (Ref No. 13/04231/LBA) – The Case Officer reported on these applications and her recommendations to grant permission/consent. She referred to the Update Report which informed of the receipt of further representations, the Officer’s assessment and revised conditions on Item 1. She stated that further representations had been received on the design and from disabled users and English Heritage supported the proposals. The application for planning permission would not need to be referred to the Secretary of State.

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

Councillor Manda Rigby opened the debate as one of the Ward Members on the Committee. She considered that the reasons for deferral on design grounds had been addressed and the scheme was now acceptable. She therefore moved the Officer recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Doug Nicol.

Councillor Brian Webber, as the other Ward Member on the Committee, stated that, despite the design not being individualistic, the scheme was very satisfactory and the Sawclose needed regeneration. He felt that the disabled users’ observations needed to be taken up by Officers.

Members debated the motion. There was disappointment expressed by some Members regarding the design although the Bridewell Lane elevation was complimented. The scheme was lacking a main feature such as a fountain and some landscaping. It was commented that the adjoining Royal Mineral Water Hospital could be moving in a couple of years which would remove anxiety by disabled users relating to the loss of the existing car park.

Members continued to discuss  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

The report was noted.

(Note: Councillor Ian Gilchrist left the meeting during this item)

The Committee considered an update report on enforcement action relating to the unauthorised erection of a straw bale house on land at Parcel 4324, Limeburn Hill, Chew Magna.

The report was noted.

The Committee considered an update report relating to Court proceedings in relation to land at the former Fuller’s Earthworks, Combe Hay.

The Principal Solicitor reported on the matter and then the public speakers made their statements (copies of which are included in the Minute Book).

The report was noted.