Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

A Vice Chairman was not required on this occasion.

Apologies were received from Councillor Matthew Davies and Councillor Bob Goodman took his place as a substitute member.

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.

The following councillors declared interests in planning application number 14/05692/RES – Parcel 0006, Maynard Terrace, Clutton (Item 1, Report No. 11):

·  Councillor Rob Appleyard – Non-executive director of the applicant Curo (Disclosable Pecuniary Interest).

·  Councillor Les Kew – Son owns a property near application site presently being sold (Other Interest).

·  Councillor David Veale – Resident of Clutton and member of Clutton Parish Council (Other Interest).

All the above councillors stated that they would leave the meeting while this item was considered.

The Chairman informed members that the webcasting trial for this Committee would continue for a further three months.  Councillor Crossley stressed the need to ensure this is well publicised.

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

There were no items from Councillors or Co-opted Members.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on Item 1 attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

·  Oral statements by members of the public and representatives on items 1 and 2.  A copy of the speakers’ list is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Committee’s delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the decisions list attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No: 15/03485/FUL

Site Location: 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 the application and her recommendation to grant planning permission.

The registered speakers made statements for and against the application.

Councillor Anthony Clarke, the local ward member, spoke regarding the application and stressed the importance of preserving the trees on the site.

Councillors asked questions for clarification to which the Case Officer responded.  Officers confirmed that planning conditions should be sufficient to ensure that the protected trees are retained and not adversely affected by the development proposals. 

Councillor Jackson expressed some concerns about staff parking arrangements and stated that the school travel plan needed to be sufficiently robust to prevent parking problems in the area.  She also commented on the 1 in 30 year flood event figure set out in the report and queried whether this would be problematic.

Councillor Kew stated that the Committee site visit had been held during the morning rush hour and that the pattern of traffic appeared to be similar to most schools at this time.  He felt that the concerns regarding the preservation of trees on the site were addressed by the planning conditions proposed.  On balance he believed that the benefits of the application outweighed the loss of green space.

Councillor Crossley stated that he had found the site visit very useful.  He believed that the realignment of the building was very helpful as the school needs to move to a full campus provision.  Traffic congestion was an issue for all schools in the area.

Councillor Kew moved that the planning application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.  This was seconded by Councillor Organ.

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

Item No. 2

Application No: 16/00991/FUL

Site Location: Land opposite Rowan House, High Street, Freshford, Bath – Creation of new access opening and construction of parking area for two cars

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to refuse planning permission.

The registered speaker made a statement for the application.

Councillor Neil Butters, the local ward member, spoke in favour of the application pointing out that it was supported by local residents, the Parish Council and that there were no highway  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on Items 1 and 2 attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

·  Oral statements by members of the public and representatives.  A copy of the speakers’ list is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Committee’s delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the decisions list attached as Appendix 4 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No: 14/05692/RES

Site Location: Parcel 0006, Maynard Terrace, Clutton

Approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) with regard to outline application 12/01882/OUT for erection of 36 dwellings and associated infrastructure

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to grant planning permission.  It was noted that the recommendation was now to permit the application as the outstanding issues have now been clarified.  There was also an amendment to condition 9 which the officer read out at the meeting.

The registered speakers made statements for and against the application.

Councillor Goodman read out a statement from Councillor Karen Warrington, the local member, objecting to the design and layout and pointing out that the majority of local residents were opposed to the development.  She requested that permission be refused.

Councillors asked questions to which the case officer responded.  It was confirmed that there were not any one bedroomed properties in the development.  Any under-occupation issues would be discussed between the BaNES housing officers and Curo.  It was noted that the hedge would form part of the landscaping of the site and would be behind the parking bays.

Councillor Crossley noted that the planning inspector had now made the decision on this site and that affordable housing was required in BaNES.  He understood that the local connection qualification for affordable housing related to the village.  He felt that the application met the relevant needs and requirements.

Councillor Crossley moved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions outlined in the officer report.  This was seconded by Councillor Roberts.

The motion was put to the vote and there were 3 votes for, 3 votes against and 1 abstention.  The Chair used her second and casting vote against the motion.  The motion was therefore LOST.

Councillor Goodman then moved that the application be deferred for further consideration and negotiations.  This was seconded by Councillor Organ.

Councillor Jackson did not believe that the materials were a major issue and felt that the site would be fairly well screened.

Councillor Roberts asked a question regarding the consequences of refusal.  Officers explained that this could lead to an appeal by the applicant.  If the Committee was minded to refuse permission then the reasons should be very clear.  It was also noted that an appeal could be lodged on the grounds of non-determination if no time extension was agreed.

Following discussion regarding the potential for further negotiations and on considering advice from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

Councillor Crossley raised a question regarding 186 The Hollow, Southdown, Bath, one of the appeals in the report which had been refused by the inspector, and requested that no enforcement action be taken without the matter being first brought to the Development Management Committee.  The Group Manager stated that negotiation would take place before any enforcement action and that if a retrospective planning application were submitted then usually it would be allowed to run its course before any action was taken.

It was RESOLVED to NOTE the report.