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 Martin Veal whose substitute was Councillor Vic Pritchard. There was also an apology from Councillor Nicholas Coombes.

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 was none

There was none

The Senior Democratic Services Officer stated that there were members of the public etc wishing to make statements on planning applications in Report 10 and that they would be able to do so when reaching those respective items in that Report.

There was none

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 9^th May 2012

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9^th May 2012 were approved as a correct record and were signed by the Chair

The Senior Professional – Major Developments to provide an oral update

The Development Manager stated that there were no updates on major developments at this time but that if Members had any questions they could be sent to the Senior Professional – Major Development direct

The Committee considered

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

·  An Update Report by the Development Manager on Item Nos 1, 2, 4 and 5, the Report being attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc on Item Nos 1-3 and 5 and 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 Land rear of Holly Farm, Brookside Drive, Farmborough – Residential development comprising 35 dwellings with associated access, car parking and landscaping (Resubmission) – The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation (A) that the application be referred to the Secretary of State as a Departure from the Development Plan; (B) to authorise the Planning and Environmental Law Manager to secure an Agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as detailed in the report to the Committee; and (C) upon completion of the Agreement, to authorise the Development Manager to permit the application subject to conditions. She drew attention to the Update Report which referred to a S52 Agreement in place on part of the application site which would need to be discharged. There was therefore an additional recommendation for the submission of a request for the revocation of the existing S52 Agreement. The Officer also pointed out that there was a requirement that a village shop be delivered before the new dwellings were occupied (Condition 21). (Note: Since the meeting, it became apparent that the provision of a shop could not be dealt with by condition and therefore this would need to be included as part of the S106 Agreement.)

The public speakers made their statements on the proposal which were followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Sally Davis.

Members discussed the proposal. Councillor Bryan Organ gave his reasons for being against the proposal. He added that the Parish Council’s views should be taken into account. Councillor Eleanor Jackson raised queries concerning public rights of way and provision of a village shop to which the Case Officer and the Senior Highways Development Control Engineer responded. The Development Manager referred to the provisions of the Draft Core Strategy regarding the level of housing to be met and stated that the village shop had to be provided otherwise the development would be contrary to the policies in the Draft Core Strategy. Members continued to discuss the provision of the shop and also raised various other issues including the housing mix, the retirement age for occupation of the elderly housing provision and the access to the site. In response to a query concerning the effect of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on this application, the Development Manager stated that it was a material consideration and did not change the Officer recommendation. The application should not be considered as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider a recommendation to confirm this Tree Preservation Order without modification

The Committee considered the report of the Senior Arboricultural Officer which (1) referred to a Tree Preservation Order provisionally made on 23^rd February 2012 to protect an individual Sycamore which made a contribution to the landscape and amenity of the Conservation Area; (2) advised that an objection to the Order had been made by the owner of the land; and (3) considered the objection and recommended that the Order be confirmed without modification.

The Senior Arboricultural Officer reported on the matter by means of a power point presentation and explained the reasons for making the Order. Councillor Vic Pritchard considered that, although some pruning may be required to rebalance the shape of the tree, it was worthy of retention. He therefore moved the Officer recommendation that the Order be confirmed without modification which was seconded by Councillor Eleanor Jackson.

Members debated the motion. The issue of whether the tree was dangerous to people and children, as raised by the owner in his objection letter, was discussed. The Officer reassured Members that there was no evidence of the tree being dangerous and that Network Rail who owned the adjoining land had not raised any concerns. The Chair stated that the owner could still apply for work to be undertaken to the tree even if the Order was confirmed. The motion was then put to the vote.

RESOLVED to confirm the Tree Preservation Order entitled “Bath and North East Somerset Council (62 High Street, Twerton, Bath No 270) Tree Preservation Order 2012” without modification.

To note the report