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 Jasper Becker – substitute Cllr Liz Richardson

Cllr Matthew Davies – substitute Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones

Cllr Caroline Roberts – substitute Cllr Will Sandry

Cllr David Veale – substitute Cllr Brian Simmons

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.

Cllr Bryan Organ declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application no. 18/05696/OUT – Lays Farm Business Centre, Lays Farm Trading Estate, Keynsham.  He stated that he would leave the meeting while the application was discussed and would not speak or vote.

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 13 March 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Head of Planning.

·  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 application be determined as set out in the decisions list attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/05706/FUL

Site Location: Rookehill Farmhouse, 34 Wellsway, Keynsham – Creation of new vehicular access and erection of a two storey building following demolition of existing garden room and store (Resubmission)

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation for refusal.

The Agent spoke in favour or the application.

Cllr Organ, local ward member, stated that, on balance, he supported this application.  He felt that the development would improve the area and curtilage of the listed building.

Cllr Kew stated that the site visit had been very helpful and he felt that the development would change the character of the area which is in the green belt.  He moved the officer recommendation to refuse.

Cllr Anketell-Jones noted the traditional architecture and the rural character of the location which was within the green belt.  He felt that the development could give the area a more suburban character and would introduce car parking to the road.  He then seconded the motion.

Cllr Sandry could understand the principle of development but did not support this particular proposal.

Cllr Jackson could see no special reasons contained within the application which would justify a breach of policy.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 9 votes in favour and 1 abstention to REFUSE the application for the reasons set out in the report.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Head of Planning on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on item 7 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.

(Note: Cllr Organ left the meeting at this point as he had declared an interest in the following planning application).

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/05696/OUT

Site Location: Lays Farm Business Centre, Lays Farm Trading Estate, Keynsham, BS31 2SE – Outline planning permission for the demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of B1 business buildings and 8 dwellings

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit.  She explained that conditions 12 and 13 should relate to B1 rather than B of the Use Class Order and confirmed that these would be amended accordingly.

The Agent spoke in favour of the application.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  The application showed an indicative layout at this stage as it was an outline application.  She confirmed that currently some residential dwellings were located within the industrial estate.

·  The employment spaces would be new buildings.

·  There would be a separate access road for the industrial units outside of the red line boundary.

·  The Highways Officer explained that the lack of turning space for vehicles would have to be addressed at the reserved matters stage.

·  The reserved matters application would not automatically be considered by the Committee but would be dealt with under the approved delegation process.

·  There would be no affordable housing on the site as the trigger for this had not been met.

The Deputy Head of Planning explained that, as this was an outline planning application, the details would be dealt with at the reserved matters stage and members should solely consider means of access for a mixed use scheme.

Cllr Jackson stated that the layout was sensible apart from the mixed development which could lead to suburbanisation.

Cllr Appleyard noted that a mixed use development had some advantages and pointed out that the site was on the edge of a residential area.  He then moved the officer recommendation to permit.

Cllr Crossley seconded the motion.  He stated that he would like the reserved matters application to be considered by the Committee rather than under delegated powers as there were still a number of issues to be resolved.

Cllr Kew did not think that the layout of the proposed development was appropriate and did not support the loss of employment land.

Cllr Richardson did not think that residential dwellings were appropriate on an industrial estate and highlighted the need for small industrial sites in Keynsham rather than more housing developments.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

The Committee considered a report regarding the making of a Tree Preservation Order on land to the west of Weston All Saints Primary School, Osbournes Hill, Upper Weston, Bath.

The Case Officer reported on the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and her recommendation to confirm without modification.

The Chair of Charlcombe Parish Council and a representative from the Friends of The Orchard organisation spoke in favour of the TPO.

A representative of the landowner spoke against the TPO.

Cllr Geoff Ward, local ward member, spoke in favour of the TPO stating that the area was very beautiful, was ideal for children and families to visit and represented new woodland growth which brings life to Weston.

The Case Officer responded to questions as follows:

·  The land was designated as a landscape setting and was not currently a development area.  The Committee was advised to consider only the current use and whether or not a TPO should be confirmed.

·  Some of the individual trees in the area were already subject to TPOs.  Applications had been received to fell two of these trees and there were many other different types of tree in the woodland.  Some trees had been felled at the site entrance.

·  If a TPO were to be approved then the landowner would have to apply to carry out tree works but this could be linked to an agreed management plan for the site.  No ad hoc work would be able to take place.

·  There was no right of way through the woodland although a footpath runs adjacent to the site.

·  The temporary TPO will expire on 6 May 2019 but the Committee could agree to a new temporary TPO if they wished to carry out a site visit in the meantime.

Cllr Appleyard queried whether the TPO for the woodland as a whole would be appropriate or whether it was excessive and would restrict the landowner unnecessarily.  The Deputy Head of Planning explained that there were some significant trees on the site and that the area of value was the site as a whole.  Some unprotected trees had already been felled and the Order would ensure the remainder were protected.

Cllr Jackson noted the value of the site being adjacent to a primary school.  She stated that this was a priceless habitat and pointed out that a management plan could be agreed.  She then moved the officer recommendation to confirm the TPO without modification.

Cllr Kew felt that a site visit would be helpful to enable members to gain more information about the location.

Cllr Crossley seconded the motion stating that valuable woodland must be protected.

Cllr Anketell-Jones stressed the importance of green infrastructure and felt that the site should be retained for the community.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 6 votes in favour and 4 votes against to CONFIRM the Tree Preservation Order without modification as set out in the report.

The Committee is asked to note the quarterly performance report.

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report from January to March 2019.

The Deputy Head of Planning agreed to inform Cllr Crossley as to how the CIL and S106 monies were allocated.

Cllr Crossley noted the overall improvement shown in the report and stated that this was a credit to both Councillors and Officers working together to improve performance.

RESOLVED: To note the report.

The Committee is asked to note the appeals report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED:  To notethe report.