Agenda and draft minutes

In the absence of Cllr Lucy Hodge, the Chair asked for nominations for a Vice-Chair for the meeting.  It was moved by Cllr Toby Simon, seconded by Cllr Deborah Collins and;

RESOLVED that Cllr Duncan Hounsell be elected Vice-Chair for the meeting.

The Democratic Services Officer will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Lucy Hodge (Cllr Duncan Hounsell substitute) and Cllr Eleanor Jackson.

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 4.4 Appendix 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 Ian Halsall declared that he would be standing down from the Committee to speak as ward Councillor and then withdraw from the meeting for the following items:

1 - 24/03730/FUL - Berkeley House, The Square, Westmoreland, Bath, Bath and North East Somerset

4 - 24/04180/OUT – St Malo, First Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

Cllr Deborah Collins stated that she was one of the ward Councillors in relation to item 7, 24/03198/FUL - 16 Southville Terrace, Lyncombe, Bath but she had not pre-determined the application and was able to participate in the debate and vote.

Cllr Toby Simon stated that, in relation to item 6, 24/02494/FUL - Trossachs Lodge, Trossachs Drive, Bathwick, Bath, Trossachs Drive was partially located within his ward, but the application site was outside.

There was no urgent business.

To note that, regarding planning applications to be considered, members of the public who have given the requisite notice to Democratic Services will be able to make a statement to the Committee immediately before their respective applications are considered. There will be a time limit of 3 minutes for each proposal, i.e., 3 minutes for the Parish and Town Councils, 3 minutes for the objectors to the proposal and 3 minutes for the applicant, agent and supporters. This allows a maximum of 9 minutes per proposal.

The Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting of the process for public speakers to address the Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 15 January 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

It was moved by Cllr Toby Simon, seconded by Cllr Tim Warren and;

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 15 January 2025 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

There are no site visit applications for consideration.

There were no site visit applications for consideration.   

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  24/03730/FUL - Berkeley House, The Square, Westmoreland, Bath, Bath and North East Somerset

2.  23/03390/OUT - Treetops Nursing Home, St Clement's Road, Keynsham, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset

3.  24/02245/FUL - 105 Holcombe Close, Bathampton, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

The following items will be considered at 2pm:

4.  24/04180/OUT – St Malo, First Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

5.  24/03112/FUL - Woodlands, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset

6.  24/02494/FUL - Trossachs Lodge, Trossachs Drive, Bathwick, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

7.  24/03198/FUL - 16 Southville Terrace, Lyncombe, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

8.  24/04739/TCA - 4 Meadow View, Radstock, Bath and North East Somerset

The Committee considered:

1.  A report and update report by the Head of Planning on the applications under the main applications list.

2.  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 main applications decisions list attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

At this point in the meeting Cllr Ian Halsall stood down from the Committee and Duncan Hounsell took the Chair.

1.  24/03730/FUL - Berkeley House, The Square, Westmoreland, Bath, Bath and North East Somerset

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the conversion and change of use of an existing building from offices (Class

E(g)) to student accommodation (Sui Generis) including a mix of cluster flats, studio units and communal amenity space.

He confirmed the officers’ recommendation that officers be delegated to permit the application subject to:

1.  A Section 106 Agreement to secure:

a.  A financial contribution of £5114.60 for a Traffic Regulation Order to provide a car club bay on the local public highway; and

b.  A financial contribution of £990.00 towards Targeted Recruitment and Training in Bath and North East Somerset as well as planning obligation to provide six work placements in construction as part of the development.

2.  The conditions set out in the report (or other such conditions as may be appropriate).

The following public representations were received:

1.  Tom Rocke, agent, supporting the application.

Cllr Ian Halsall raised the following points as ward member before withdrawing from the meeting.

1.  He did not object to the loss of employment space given the new provision within close proximity to the site.

2.  He was concerned that a cluster of purpose-built student accommodation was transforming the area and could result in a student campus by stealth.

3.  He questioned the effectiveness of the condition to restrict first year students from using the accommodation.

4.  He stated that there was a deficit of lower cost housing in the area and students may not be able to afford to stay in area after graduation.  The site could be used for C3 apartments. 

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  There was no policy restricting the concentration of a social group, such as students, within an area. 

2.  In response to whether second and third year students would prefer to live in homes of multiple occupation (HMO), the cluster flats replicated the facilities of HMOs with en-suite bedrooms and a communal kitchen/living/dining room.  It would not be possible to include a condition about costs being similar to HMOs as costs were driven by market forces.

3.  Purpose-built student accommodation and HMOs were distinct planning classes.

4.  The policy in relation to purpose-built student accommodation was intended to exclude first year students, but not to exclude students beyond third year.  The exclusion of first year students would be controlled by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the latest quarterly performance report.

On behalf of the Committee, Cllr Deborah Collins asked that officers be commended for their performance.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.