Agenda and minutes

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

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Cllr George Leach was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr Paul Crossley who had submitted his apologies.

Cllr Fiona Gourley submitted her apologies as she wished to speak as ward councillor in relation to application 22/01370/FUL - Parcel 4234, Combe Hay Lane, Combe Hay.

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 Eleanor Jackson stated that she was a tenant of an allotment in Radstock but that she did not consider that this was an interest that would prevent her participating in the debate and voting on the application.

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 19 November 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Cllr Jackson moved that the minutes be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

1.  Inclusion of the postcode in relation to application 25/01546/FUL – 1 Wells Road Westfield, BA3 3RN

2.  In relation to bullet point 2 on responses to members questions on the same application, the inclusion of the word “very” to read “There were no free parking spaces very close to the site.”

This was seconded by Cllr Halsall and on voting for the motion it was:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of 19 November 2025 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

1.  22/01370/FUL - Parcel 4234, Combe Hay Lane, Combe Hay, Bath, 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.

1.  22/01370/FUL - Parcel 4234, Combe Hay Lane, Combe Hay

The Planning Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the creation of new allotments including associated facilities and landscaping and access serving the allotments.

He confirmed the officers’ recommendation that permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report,

The following public representations were received:

1.  Malcolm Austwick, Combe Hay Parish Council and Dr Ned Garnett, South Stoke Parish Council objecting to the application.

2.  Robert Hellard, on behalf of South of Bath Alliance, objecting to the application.

3.  Mark Sommerville, agent, supporting the application.

Cllr Fiona Gourley was in attendance as ward councillor and read a statement summarised as below:

1.  She shared the frustrations of Parish Councils and local residents.

2.  The allotments should not be in the proposed location, and this was due to an inefficient use of the phase 1 development site.

3.  Other options were not pursued.

4.  There was a shortage of allotment provision and demand from local residents, but Derryman’s field was not an appropriate location.

5.  There were concerns about who would take responsibility for the allotments.

6.  There were many well-founded objections to the application, but on balance, she reluctantly agreed that the application should be permitted due to the need and demand for allotments. 

7.  Permission should be subject to strict conditions on the provision of water, a strong deer fence, a single good community shed and clarification on who will be responsible for the upkeep of the allotments.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  There would be a total of 9 allotments, and these would be a mixture of full size, half size and quarter size.

2.  The current Section 106 Agreement required the allotments to be managed by either a management company, the Council or a body nominated by the Council.  This could be resolved at a later date.

3.  If there was no demand for the allotments from residents of phase 1, they could be offered to the wider community.

4.  The management plan would deal with issues such as the allotments becoming overgrown.

5.  The original proposal for a kissing gate would be replaced by a swing gate to facilitate the use of wheelbarrows to carry compost etc.

6.  The Section 106 agreement dealt with the management of the allotments as there may be a requirement for the transfer of land which was better dealt with by a legal agreement rather than condition.  The condition to require an allotment management  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.