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 desired

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Ian Gilchrist and Malcolm Lees whose respective substitutes were Councillors Lisa Brett and Dave Laming

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 were no declarations of interest

There were no items of Urgent Business

The Senior Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there was a member of the public who wished to make a statement on Item 12 Former Fullers Earthworks who would be able to do so when reaching that Item at the end of the Agenda. There were various members of the public wishing to make statements on planning applications in Reports 9 and 10 and they would be able to do so when reaching the items in those Reports. He advised that the Chair had extended the amount of speaking time on 2 applications in view of the number of people wishing to speak.

There were no items from Councillors

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 4^th September 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

In paragraph 3 of Minute No 58 relating to Item 3 Development at Lark Place, delete the words “and queried whether legal advice was required as an allotment.” and insert the words “…and requested legal advice on the use as an allotment”.

The Committee considered

·  The report of the Development Manager on applications for planning permission

·  An Update Report by the Development 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 1 and 2, a copy of the 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 Private Garden at Lark Place, Upper Bristol Road, Lower Weston, Bath – Erection of a pair of 2 storey semi-detached 3 bedroom dwellings and a terrace of 3 two storey 3 bedroom dwellings, including access, parking for 5 cars, cycle storage and amenity provision – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to (A) authorise the Planning and Environmental Law Manager to enter into a S106 Agreement to secure contributions relating to Education, Open Space and Recreational Facilities, and Transport; and (B) subject to the prior completion of the S106 Agreement, authorise the Development Manager to Permit subject to conditions (or such Conditions as she may determine). The Update Report referred to further objections received from local residents and the Allotments Association, receipt of a Petition, comments by the applicant’s Solicitor and comments by the Building Regulations Section. He recommended further Conditions to be imposed relating to reinstatement of the perimeter boundary wall and works being undertaken in accordance with the approved plans.

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

Councillor Doug Nicol opened the debate and considered that the application should be refused on the grounds of loss of allotment land. Councillor Les Kew stated that this was not allotments but private land which would remain derelict if not developed. He considered that this was a good development of 5 houses and therefore moved the Officer recommendation to Delegate to Permit with the S106 Agreement and the conditions recommended. He continued by saying that his only concern was the car parking issue on Upper Bristol Road but felt that this could be overcome by parking provision in adjoining roads and therefore moved that Condition 5 be amended to include the provision of alternative parking in adjoining roads. In response to Members' queries, the Officers gave advice on Policy CF8 regarding protection of allotments which it was considered did not apply and designation of the land in the Local Plan which Officers considered was not allotment land. Councillor Eleanor Jackson referred to the national standards for allotments and queried the value of 5 allotments against 5 houses. She considered that 5 houses were a better use of the land and therefore seconded the motion to Delegate to Permit.

Members debated the motion. A Member expressed dismay that Policy CF8 did not seem to apply but felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

The Committee considered

·  The report of the Development Manager on various applications for planning permission etc

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

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc on Items 1-3, a copy of which List is 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 at Appendix 4 to these Minutes

Item 1 Former Cadbury’s Factory, Cross Lane, Keynsham – Hybrid planning application for mixed use development (including part demolition of existing buildings) comprising:

(A) Outline application for up to 430 dwellings, 60 bed care home (C2), primary school (D1), local centre to include crèche and medical facility (D1) and retail (A1, A3, A4 and A5), café/restaurant (A3) and associated roads, infrastructure (including flood protection measures), landscaping, new wildlife areas, open space and cycle/foot ways. All matters except access reserved.

(B) Detailed application for the erection of 157 dwellings, change of use of Block A for up to 113 apartments, highway works at Somerdale Road/Station Road,, social and sports provision (new Fry Club), new sports pitches, relocation of groundsman’s hut, alterations to factory buildings B and C for employment use (B1), leisure (D2) and retail (A3, A4 and A5), including use of existing basements for car parking and associated surface level parking, access roads, landscaping and associated infrastructure, engineering works to Chandos Road and associated landscaping, extension to Station overspill car park, surface water attenuation pond and outfall to the River Avon

The Case Officer reported on these applications and his recommendations to (A) authorise the Planning and Environmental Law Manager to secure an Agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure various provisions; and (B) authorise the Development Manager of Planning and Transport Development to Permit subject to conditions. He referred to the Update Report which gave details of further comments received from local residents, Keynsham Town Council and various other consultees.

The public speakers made their statements against and in favour of the proposals. This was followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Brian Simmonds who expressed concern about the proposals primarily with highways/access.

Councillor Bryan Organ opened the debate. He supported the proposals which he felt were good for Keynsham and therefore moved the Officer recommendations. He continued by saying that the existing road network had coped with traffic for a number of years. However, with other major development coming on stream, he felt that an Officer should be appointed to oversee development/highways in and around Keynsham – a 10 year Plan would also be helpful. The motion was seconded by Councillor Martin Veal who considered that the need for a 2^nd access road had not been proven. However, an Integrated Transport Scheme was required in view of the major developments in the town which would need to be approved before  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The Committee noted the report

To consider the report of the Development Manager

The Committee considered (1) the report which updated Members on various matters pertaining to the site; and (2) an oral statement by the Clerk of Combe Hay Parish Council. It was clarified that the date of the enforcement notice in the penultimate paragraph of the report was 21^st February 2013 and not 9^th April 2013 as printed.

The report was noted.