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.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Shelley Bromley – substitute Cllr Ruth Malloy.

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 Chair, Cllr Sue Craig, declared an interest in application no. 20/03166/FUL, Regency Laundry Service, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, as the site is located opposite her property.  Cllr Craig stated that she would leave the meeting when this application was discussed and would take no part in the debate or vote.

There was no urgent business.  The Chair thanked Cllr Sally Davis for chairing the last meeting and Cllr Appleyard for acting as substitute member.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning 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.

Note: At this point Cllr Sue Craig left the meeting having declared an interest in the following application.  Cllr Sally Davis took the Chair.

Item No. 1

Application No. 20/03166/FUL

Site Location: Regency Laundry Service, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath – Erection of two buildings of up to 4 storeys comprising co-living accommodation with co-working space to the ground floor, alongside landscaping works, cycle parking and disabled car parking bays following demolition of existing buildings.

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to refuse.  He explained that the arrangements for the payment of Council Tax by future residents of the accommodation are not a planning matter or a material consideration.

A local resident spoke against the application.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr June Player spoke against the application.  She expressed concern regarding the adverse effect of the large bulky buildings on residential amenity, in particular, for the residents of St Peter’s Place.  She also expressed concern about the adverse impact on the character of the area.  She stated that the arrangements for parking and cycling is not acceptable and the height of the proposed buildings would lead to loss of light and overlooking.  The quality and design of the buildings are not appropriate and there are parking and highway safety concerns.

Cllr Colin Blackburn spoke in favour of the application.  He felt that the provision of accommodation for professionals wanting to house share is needed in Bath.  He felt that the scheme is positive and of high quality.  The site is no longer suitable for commercial use and he stated that the focus should be on residential accommodation in this location.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  There would be a lift in the building.

·  There would be some larger accessible studios which would be suitable for disabled people. 

·  There would be a drop-off area in front of the building.

·  The employment space available in Bath is largely office space rather than industrial.  There is only about a 1% vacancy rate for industrial premises. No evidence has been provided by the applicant that they have advertised the site for industrial use within the last 12 months.

·  It was confirmed that the rental would be approximately £220 per week for the studio accommodation with shared facilities.

·  There would be two parking bays, one for disabled parking and one for a car share vehicle.  There would be no visitor parking.  There is on street parking to the west of the site.  The site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

The following applications will be considered in the morning session (from 11am):

·  20/03166/FUL – Regency Laundry Service, Lower Bristol Road, Bath

·  20/04760/EFUL – Former Bath Press Premises, Lower Bristol Road, Bath

The following applications will be considered in the afternoon session (from 2pm):

·  20/01588/FUL – Field between City Farm and Cotswold View, the Hollow, Southdown, Bath

·  21/03281/FUL – Land south of Unit 18, Midsomer Norton Enterprise Park, Midsomer Norton

·  21/02980/LBA and 21/02981/AR – Friends Meeting House, York Street, Bath

·  21/02883/FUL – Hunters Quest, Iford Close, Saltford

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning 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 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. 20/04760/EFUL

Site Location: Former Bath Press Premises, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath – Development of the site to provide a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 286 residential units (Use Class C3) and provision of commercial floor space at ground floor level (Use Class E), demolition of existing chimney, provision of 3 substations, together with associated infrastructure, landscaping, plant equipment, car and cycle parking, and access.

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to refuse.  He informed members that further information regarding the affordable housing element has been received.  The developer will now offer 4 of the town houses as affordable housing, which makes a total of 1.4% affordable housing across the whole site.  This offer would be contingent on permission being granted and would be rescinded if the applicant went to appeal. 

A representative from the Bath Preservation Trust spoke against the application.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Colin Blackburn, local ward member, spoke against the application.  He felt that the developer was ignoring key policies including those relating to affordable housing.

Cllr June Player, local ward member, spoke against the application.  She stated that the application is not policy compliant in relation to affordable housing requirements (this should be 30%) and parking.  She also expressed concern regarding the loss of the historic chimney, highway safety, noise, pollution, loss of office floor space, bedrooms facing onto the main road, overdevelopment of the site, poor design, and the creation of a tunnelling effect along the Lower Bristol Road.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  The location has some characteristics of a gateway site.

·  As there is no allotment or vegetable growing area on site there would be a requirement for an offsite contribution.

·  The chimney has local historical significance.

·  The rental costs would be £1,050pcm for a one-bedroom property, £1,550 for a two-bedroom property and £2,000 for a 3-bedroom property.

·  The weight given to the viability report is for the decision-maker to decide.  There are no objections to the lack of affordable housing within the scheme.

·  The applicant has confirmed that they would accept a condition requiring the retention of office space.

·  The 5-storey block has a mansard roof and is set back from the road.

·  The height strategy does not form part of the development plan and is a guidance document rather than a supplementary planning document.  However, it is a material consideration and officers feel that the development is compliant with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.  The Committee noted that the appeal for the Homebase site had been successful and the Deputy Head of Planning outlined the reasons cited by the Planning Inspector for this decision.

RESOLVED to NOTE the report.