Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will ask the Committee Administrator to draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 7

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

RESOLVED that a Vice-Chair was not required on this occasion.

Apologies were received from Councillor John Bull (substituted by Councillor Rob Appleyard), Councillor Colin Darracott (substituted by Councillor Paul Crossley) and Councillor Malcolm Lees (substituted by Councillor Martin Veal).

Members who have an interest to declare are asked to state:

(a) the Item No and site in which they have an interest; (b) the nature of the interest; and (c) whether the interest is personal or personal and prejudicial.

Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself.

There were none.

There was none.

(1) At the time of publication, no items had been submitted.

(2) To note that, regarding planning applications to be considered, members of the public who have given the requisite notice to the Committee Administrator will be able to make a statement to the Committee immediately before their respective applications are considered. There will be a time limit of 3 minutes for each proposal, ie 3 minutes for the Parish and Town Councils, 3 minutes for the objectors to the proposal and 3 minutes for the applicant, agent and supporters. This allows a maximum of 9 minutes per proposal.

There were none.

To deal with any petitions or questions from Councillors and where appropriate Co-opted Members

There were none.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the amendment of the attendance list to show that Councillor Jackson was present and that Councillor Appleyard was substituting for Councillor Bull, not Councillor Jackson.

The Senior Professional – Major Developments to provide a verbal update

The Senior Professional Major Developments said that he nothing specific to report, but he would be happy to answer any questions from Members.

The Committee considered

• The report of the Development Manager on the applications

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

• The update report by the Development Manager, attached as Appendix 3 to these Minutes

RESOLVED that, in accordance with their delegated powers, the planning applications be determined as set out in the Decisions List attached as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

NOTES: Decisions were made by the Committee as per the Officers’ recommendations set out in the Report with the Agenda, and were carried unanimously or without dissension unless stated otherwise. Where the Officer’s recommendation was overturned, or there were amendments whether lost or carried, or there were decisions on matters other than on planning applications, these are listed below.

Item 1, Street Record, Bath Spa University Campus, Newton St Loe, Bath (10/04747/EFUL) – the Senior Professional Major Developments informed Members that the application had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Item 2, 38 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX (11/00407/FUL) – the case officer made a presentation on the application and the recommendation to refuse. The public speakers were heard. Councillor Organ said that he could not accept the officer’s recommendation to refuse. He did not believe suitable alternative premises were available on the High Street. The application premises had been vacant for eighteen months, so that occupation by the applicant would improve the appearance of the area. The applicant had occupied its present premises for forty years and had been a good tenant of the Council. Since the applicant proposed merely to move from one retail unit to another, there would be no net reduction in the number of retail units. He moved to permit the application. This was seconded by Councillor Veal.  Councillor Curran asked officers to comment on the argument put forward by the applicant’s agent that PPS4 would allow flexibility in the application of local plan policy S5. The Team Leader,Development Management said that the view of officers remained as set out on pages 54-55 of the agenda. Councillor Willcox said that although there were concerns about the loss of high street shops, there were estate agents mixed in with retailers on many high streets. He felt that it was necessary to accept changing economic conditions. Councillor Jackson noted that there was already an estate agency offering financial services nearby and that the post office offered financial services. The units on one long section of the High Street were occupied by charity shops. She could see no reason to refuse the application. Councillor Organ observed that there was also a building society not far from the post office. The Team Leader, Development Management advised that if the application were permitted it would have to be advertised as a departure from the development plan and if any objections were received that raised new issues, the application would be brought back to Committee. Councillor Organ said that he would therefore amend his motion from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140.

To note the report

RESOLVED to note the report.