Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

A Vice Chairman was not required on this occasion.

The following apologies for absence were received:

Councillor Paul Crossley – Councillor Neil Butters acted as substitute

Councillor Matthew Davies – Councillor Vic Pritchard acted as substitute

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 no declarations of interest.

There was no urgent business.

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.

The Chairman informed members that the time of the meeting to be held on 19 October 2016 had been changed due to the Special Cabinet meeting also taking place that day.  The meeting will now start at 12 noon to enable members to attend both meetings if they wished to do so.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2016 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Group Manager (Development Management).

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

Item No. 1 (Site Visit List)

Application No. 16/01581/FUL

Site Location: 104 Faulkland View, Peasedown St John, BA2 8TQ

Item No. 1 (Main Plans List)

Application No. 16/01580/FUL

Site Location: 106 Faulkland View, Peasedown St John, BA2 8TQ

The Case Officer reported on the applications and her recommendation to grant planning permission.

The registered speaker, Councillor Sarah Bevan, declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in these applications as her property was next door to 104 Faulkland View and would be affected by any decision made by the Committee.  Councillor Bevan made a statement against the applications in her capacity as a private individual and then went on to speak against the applications in her capacity as Ward Councillor.

Officers explained that the proposal at 106 Faulkland View to introduce further hardstanding had been withdrawn.  The application now proposed the extension of the garage to allow space for a car by removing the storage area at the rear.  This would mean that there would be space for one vehicle in the garage and for one vehicle in front of the garage.

In response to a question from Councillor Jackson officers informed members that the Parish Plan for Peasedown St John relating to lorry parking would be a material consideration but would carry little weight.

In response to a question from Councillor Butters officers explained that if permission were granted there would be a condition requesting that the garage be used principally for that purpose.  If there was subsequently any other unauthorised use this would be investigated.  Officers also confirmed that any problems caused to the damp course by this development would be a building control and not a planning issue. 

Councillor Kew was minded to permit the applications as solutions could be found to resolve any damp course problems.  He felt that there would be no loss of off street parking.

Councillor Kew moved to grant planning permission for both applications and this was seconded by Councillor Organ.

On being put to the vote it was RESOLVED:

(1)  By 6 votes for, 3 votes against and 1 abstention to PERMIT the application for 104 Faulkland View subject to conditions.

(2)  By 6 votes for, 2 votes against and 2 abstentions to PERMIT the application for 106 Faulkland View subject to conditions.

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 16/01609/FUL attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

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

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

Item No. 2

Application No. 16/01609/FUL

Site Location: Castle Farm Barn, Midford Road, Bath – Change of use of agricultural barns to a flexible commercial use comprising farm shop and café

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to grant planning permission.  She informed the Committee that the wording of conditions 5 and 6 had now been revised.

The registered speaker spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Butters stated that although Southstoke Parish Council had decided not to speak at this meeting they still did not support this application.  It would be unsightly and in appropriate in this greenbelt location.  The access was via a main road with poor visibility.  Councillor Butters asked that this application be considered alongside the application for a 4 bed dwelling on the same site and suggested that a site visit should take place.

Officers advised the Committee not to amend the opening hours as mentioned by the applicant as this would require further consideration. If different opening hours were required in due course then a further application could be made at a future date.

Councillor Jackson pointed out that there was currently outline planning permission for the 4 bed dwelling with only the reserved matters still to be agreed.  She felt that this application should be considered in its own right and noted that farms have the right to diversify.

Councillor Jackson then moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the officer report (as updated).  This was seconded by Councillor Kew.

In response to a question from Councillor Pritchard officers explained that the farm used poly-tunnels to cultivate their produce all year round.

Councillor Roberts then asked further questions regarding the irrigation system and the application for the dwelling.  She felt that a site visit would be helpful in this instance.

Councillors Jackson and Kew then agreed to withdraw their motion to enable a vote to be taken on the site visit proposal.

Councillor Butters moved that consideration of this application be deferred pending a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Roberts.

The motion was put to the vote and there were 4 votes for, 5 votes against and 1 abstention.  The motion was therefore LOST.

Councillor Jackson then moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the officer report (as updated).  This was seconded by Councillor Kew.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 5 votes for, 2 votes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

The Committee considered the latest appeals report.

RESOLVED to NOTE the report.

To note the report.

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report from April to June 2016.

It was noted that the enforcement team was now fully staffed and that there was a triage system in place to deal with enforcement cases. 

RESOLVED to NOTE the report.