Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That Cllr Matt McCabe be elected Chairman.

A Vice-Chairman was not required on this occasion.

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 Hal MacFie – substitute Cllr Rob Appleyard.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 of the Development Management Committee held on 24 April 2019.

The minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 24 April 2019 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.

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/04535/FUL

Site Location: 49-50 Meadow Park, Bathford, Bath, BA1 7PY – Installation of timber decking and paved areas at rear of house with new decking and paving, including isolated raising of perimeter fences (retrospective)

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to permit.  He reported that a further representation had been received relating to the ownership of the boundary fence.

The applicant spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Hounsell stated that the work carried out by the applicant facilitated the use of the garden and noted that efforts had been made to reduce overlooking.  He felt that the lighting was not too bright and noted that there were no drainage issues.  He then moved the officer recommendation to permit.

Cllr Jackson seconded the motion.

Cllr Hodge stated that the lighting was extensive and also asked whether a condition could be included to ensure that the fencing retained a natural wood finish.  This suggestion was supported by Cllr Rigby.

Cllr Jackson felt that it would be too prescriptive to include a condition relating to the fencing.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 7 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 1 abstention to PERMIT the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Item No. 2

Application No. 18/05561/FUL

Site Location: 31 High Bannerdown, Batheaston, Bath, BA1 7JZ – Alterations and extension to bungalow

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

Cllr Derek Greener spoke on behalf of Batheaston Parish Council against the application.

Two local residents spoke against the application.

The Agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Sarah Warren, local ward member, spoke against the application.  She considered the development to be out of character with the design and layout of the estate.  She also felt that the application would adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties.

The Team Manager, Development Management, then responded to questions as follows:

·  There is no specific policy regarding the retention of bungalows per se.

·  As the local Neighbourhood Plan is currently only in draft form this should be given little weight.

·  No mature trees were considered to be under threat as a result of the development.

·  The policy to protect mixed use developments generally relates to new developments.  The issue to consider in this case was the effect of the development on the character and residential amenity of the area.

Cllr Davis understood the concerns of the local residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on item 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 4 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/02543/FUL

Site Location: Chew Valley Lake Walking and Cycle Trail, Walley Lane, Chew Magna – Creation of a leisure trail for walkers and cyclists around Chew Valley Lake (including associated engineering works).  NOW AMENDED SUCH THAT THE EASTERN SECTION AND THE SOUTHERN SECTION ARE NOW EXCLUDED FROM THE APPLICATION, PERMISSION NOW SOUGHT FOR NORTH-WEST SECTION ONLY (overview as shown in document entitled “Chew Valley Lake Recreational Trail North West Section”, May 2018, Sustrans/Bristol Water)

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to permit.  There were two verbal updates to the report:

·  Condition no. 3 – Highway Matters – to include an additional bullet point to cover details about signage.

·  There would also be an additional landscaping condition requesting the submission of details of the new hedgerow planting including implementation and maintenance.

A representative from Sustrans Ltd (the applicant) spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Vic Pritchard, local ward member, spoke regarding the application.  He noted that the application had been fundamentally amended and now only sought permission for the north-western section of the cycle path/recreational trail.  The Chew Valley area was already popular with cyclists and this proposal would create a shared space between pedestrians and cyclists around the narrow part of the dam.  The path would be located adjacent to the A37 which was a principal route to Bristol Airport.  He also raised concerns regarding the stability of the area around the dam and requested that periodic checks take place.

The Case Officer responded to questions as follows:

·  The Highways Team has investigated traffic flows around the dam area.

·  It would be difficult to include a condition relating to club cycling/racing as this could not be enforced.

·  The total length of the path would be approximately 2km.

·  Conditions to provided appropriate signage would be required if the application were permitted.

Cllr Appleyard noted the benefits of encouraging walking and cycling and welcomed this application.  He asked officers to ensure that the concerns raised by the local member regarding the stability of the dam were taken into account and that appropriate signage was put in place.  Cllr Hounsell seconded the motion.

Cllr Davis acknowledged the concerns regarding the shared space but felt that the faster cyclists were likely to continue to use the road.

Cllr Jackson suggested that the Committee should delegate to permit the application to enable officers to fine-tune the conditions to ensure that all concerns were taken into account including those relating to ecological and construction matters.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.  Cllr Jackson congratulated officers on the outcome of recent appeals.

RESOLVED to NOTEthe report.