Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will ask the Committee Administrator to draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

A Vice Chairman was not required on this occasion.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Caroline Roberts – substitute Cllr Neil Butters.

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.

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2018 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Group Manager (Development Management) 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 3 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/02898/FUL

Site Location: Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch – Erection of 5 residential units (including affordable housing) together with associated parking, highways and landscaping works

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to delegate to permit.  She explained that the new nursery school that opened in June 2017 could take 30 children on a full-time basis and was currently running at 60% occupancy.  Therefore there was currently room for 12 additional children.  Subject to available funds the nursery could also expand to provide up to 24 additional places, giving a total of 54 places at the nursery.  Work was currently underway to widen the footpath and to provide a zebra crossing on the walking route to the nursery.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

The Case Officer responded to questions as follows:

·  The additional housing would provide two affordable units.

·  Officers were not aware of any agreement that specified that a nursery should be provided “near” to the development. 

·  It was noted that many of the units were now occupied and officers confirmed that the early years’ education facility had been opened prior to occupation as specified in the Section 106 Agreement.

·  The estimated walking time to the existing early years’ facility was a 10 minute walk which was considered to be reasonable.

Cllr Matthew Davies queried the acceptability of a 700m walk to the early years’ facility with a young child. 

Cllr Appleyard felt that the walk would take longer than 10 minutes with young children.  He noted that the walking route was along a busy main road and also stated that there was no guarantee that the nursery would be in existence for the long term.

Cllr Jackson expressed concern about the removal of the requirement to provide an early years’ facility.  She queried whether the current 60% occupancy of the existing facility was viable.  She also queried whether a play area could be provided by the developer in this location if not a nursery.  She was also concerned about pollution levels along the walking route.

The Team Manager, Development Management, explained that the legal agreement covered a number of matters including landscaping and highways. He confirmed that due to the existence of an adequate facility in the area the requirement to provide an early years’ facility at this site no longer applied. From a planning perspective the land was no longer reserved for an early years’ facility and was simply a vacant plot of land.

Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

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.  A copy of the speakers’ list is attached as Appendix 2 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. 1

Application No. 18/03742/FUL

Site Location: City of Bath College, Milk Street, Bath – Demolition of existing building and erection of new hotel and associated works (Resubmission)

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to delegate to permit.  He explained the differences between the resubmitted application and the previous application which had been refused by the Committee.  This included a 1.4m reduction in the height of the building and the removal of the majority of the roof top plant.

The Chair of the Independent Guesthouse Association spoke against the application.  He also spoke on behalf of FOBRA (Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations), Bath Association of Self Catering Accommodation and the Hotel General Managers.

The Agent and a representative from Bath College spoke in favour of the application.

The Case Officer responded to questions as follows:

·  There was no off street parking as part of this development, however, the plans for the works taking place in nearby Avon Street had not yet been determined.  The Highways Officer explained that Blue Badge holders would be able to park in restricted areas for a period of up to three hours provided they were not causing an obstruction.

·  Any changes to teaching arrangements for Bath College students as a result of the application were a matter for the College and not a planning consideration.  The college would be vacated at the end of 2019 and it was anticipated that the construction of the hotel would take at least 18 months.  A construction management plan would provide further details in due course.

Cllr Becker noted that the previous application had been refused on design grounds.  He highlighted the fact that Bath was a World Heritage City and felt that it must remain a unique destination.  He stated that there had been no significant change to the design and that it was not appropriate for a Bath city centre development.  He felt that the application should be rejected and that the Committee should ask for a new design that would enhance the Georgian city of Bath.

Cllr Appleyard noted that whilst the history of the city was important, visitors required good quality hotel accommodation.  He did not see a problem with a hotel being on this site and acknowledged the improvements in the revised design.  It was a softer design than the original proposal and the height had been reduced.  He moved the officer recommendation to delegate to permit.

Cllr Kew seconded the motion as he felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED to NOTEthe report.