Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

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

Apologies were received from Councillors Rob Appleyard and Matt Davies. Councillor Donal Hassett substituted for Councillor Davies.

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.

There were none.

The Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there were a number of people wishing to make statements on planning applications, and they would be able to do so their respective items were reached.

There were none.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair announced that Item 3 (Land Adjacent to White Hill Cottages, White Hill, Shoscombe) had been withdrawn from the agenda.

The Committee considered:

• The report of the Group Manager – Development Management on various applications
• An Update Report by the Group Manager on items 1, 3, 4 and 5; a copy is attached to these Minutes
• Oral statements by members of the public etc. on items

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 - Bath Spa University, Herman Miller UK, Locksbrook Road, Newbridge, Bath – Change of use from furniture production (Use Class B2) to an academic space comprising technical workshops, studio space, teaching space and office accommodation (Use Class D1) – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to permit.

The public speakers made their statements in favour of the application.

Members asked questions for clarification which the case officer responded.

Councillor Kew said that the site visit had been helpful and moved the officer’s recommendation to permit the application with the conditions listed in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Crossley, who said that Bath Spa University had done a lot of work to address the Committee’s concerns about the change of use. He felt that the new use fitted in very well with the trend in Bath away from manufacturing to ideas-based economic activity. The architect, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, deserved credit for the foresight of his design and the new use preserved the integrity of this recently-listed building. The application met the needs of the young people who would be trained there and of local residents, who had been very supportive.

Councillor Jackson said that it was a lovely building, which should be preserved as close as possible to how it is now. This application offered the best way of doing that. Dividing it into smaller units would spoil the interior.

Councillor Organ said that he had been surprised when the building was listed, but felt that it would be best preserved as a single unit as it is now. He could see no reason to refuse the application.

The motion was put and it was RESOLVED unanimously to permit the application.

Item 2 – Kingswood Preparatory School, College Road, Lansdown, Bath – erection of new school building to accommodate prep school accommodation, new pre-prep and nursery, and multi-use games area and associated infrastructure and landscaping – The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation to permit and also updated Members of a few issues which have arisen since her report was written.

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

Councillor Kew read out a statement by Ward Councillor, Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, urging that a decision be deferred pending a site visit by the Committee.

Councillor Jackson asked about access over College Road and Hamilton Road, which are private roads.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

An updated report had been circulated to Members before the meeting.

RESOLVED to note the report.