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.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

·  Councillor Hounsell stated that his wife used to work at Oldfield School several years ago but that this had no influence on his decision making at this meeting.

·  Councillor Hodge declared a non-registerable interest in planning application no. 21/01609/FUL – Parkfield Coach House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath - as she owns a neighbouring property.  She stated that she would not speak or vote on this application and that she would leave the meeting while the item was discussed.

·  Councillor Bromley declared a conflict-of-interest in planning application no. 21/01609/FUL – Parkfield Coach House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath - as she had registered an objection to this application.  She stated that she would leave the meeting while the item was discussed.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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

·  20/03152/FUL - Development Site next to Somerdale Pavilion, Trajectus Way, Keynsham

·  21/00282/FUL - Oldfield School, Kelston Road, Newbridge, Bath

·  21/01609/FUL - Parkfield Coach House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath

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

·  21/03666/FUL - 16 Oakhill Road, Combe Down, Bath

·  21/02733/FUL and 21/02734/LBA - Mendip View, The Street, Ubley

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on item 3 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. 20/03152/FUL

Site Location: Development site next to Somerdale Pavilion, Trajectus Way, Keynsham – Erection of 44 Extra Care units (Use Class C2) and ancillary works including landscaping

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to delegate to permit.

A representative of the applicant spoke in favour of the application.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  Recent changes to environment assessment requirements are not considered to be significant enough to require a new assessment to be submitted.  The application has been assessed under the current environmental and climate change policies.

·  Some changes to the design have been made by the applicant, such as a reduction in car parking spaces to accommodate additional landscaping.  There will be conditions relating to landscaping and the Case Officer will look to secure improvements.

·  The height of the building is considered to be appropriate given the precedent of the 4-storey Cadbury’s building which used to be on this site. 

·  Car parking spaces will be allocated to residents and there is a public car park adjacent to the site.  This is a sustainable site and parking proposals are considered to be policy compliant.

·  No evidence has been submitted regarding interest in the retail unit.  However, there are retail facilities in other blocks including cafes, bars and hairdressers.  This site is located close to Keynsham town centre.

·  There will be a drop-off area for deliveries.

·  There are no specified parking standards for C2 use outside of Bath.  It is felt that 29 spaces for the 44 dwellings is acceptable in this location.

·  Whilst existing residents may have expected a retail unit on site, this was not a specific condition and no operator has been identified.

·  A mini-bus service operates on site.

·  Blocks A, B and C contain facilities where residents can interact and socialise.  It would not be possible to add a condition requiring a retail unit to be located on the site.

Cllr Jackson stated that she has some concerns regarding the design and lack of outside space.  However, she did not feel that this constituted grounds for refusal and hoped that the case officer could negotiate some improvements.  She moved the recommendation to delegate to permit.

This was seconded by Cllr Crossley.  He felt that this is a good development, in context with the local area and which respects the industrial heritage of the site.  There are buses to the town centre and, given the concerns around climate change, it is important to encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report from 1 July to 30 September 2021.

Officers agreed to investigate whether additional information could be provided within future reports, setting out how well B&NES Council is performing compared to other planning authorities.  They also agreed to investigate providing comparative information regarding the enforcement statistics.

It was confirmed that the Pixash Lane application recently considered by the committee is subject to judicial review.  Officers agreed to send further information to committee members about this process.

The Team Manager, Development Management explained that enforcement cases may be closed for a variety of reasons.  Whether it is considered expedient, (in the public interest), to pursue an enforcement case can depend on a variety of reasons.

RESOLVED: To note the report.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

Officers agreed to look into whether further information can be provided regarding performance outcomes regarding committee decisions that have been subject to appeal.

RESOLVED:  To notethe report.