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 Hal MacFie – substitute Cllr Ryan Wills

Cllr Brian Simmons – substitute Cllr Michael Evans

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.

Cllr Lucy Hodge declared an interest in application no. 19/01596/FUL.  Cllr Hodge stated that she would be speaking against the application as local ward member and would therefore not take part in the debate or vote on the application.

Cllr Sue Craig declared an interest in application nos. 19/03455/LBA and 19/03454/AR.  Cllr Craig stated that she would be speaking in favour of the applications as local ward member and would therefore not take part in the debate or vote on the applications.

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 28 August 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 August 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 on items 2 and 4 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. 19/01596/FUL

Site Location: The Cottage, Northfields, Lansdown, Bath – Erection of 3 dwellings following removal of existing properties

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit.  She clarified the position of the neighbouring conservatory as this had been incorrectly described in the report.

Two local residents spoke against the application.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Lucy Hodge, local ward member, spoke against the application.  She expressed concerns regarding the scale and design of the development.  She felt that the proposal would lead to overdevelopment of the site due to height, scale and mass which would be detrimental to the residential amenity of the area.  The three modern houses that are proposed would be too dominant.  The development would also lead to loss of habitat for wildlife.

Cllr Mark Elliott, local ward member, spoke against the development.  He felt that the tall dominant houses would be out of proportion in this area and would be out of keeping with the surroundings.  He also had concerns about the detrimental impact on no. 7 Northfields and the resultant loss of light to the property.  There would also be a detrimental impact on the Conservation Area.  He also pointed out that there has been no support for the development from local residents.

(Note: Cllr Hodge then left the meeting having declared an interest in the application due to her opposition to the development).

Officers then responded to questions as follows:

·  There are trees on the application site which would be removed.  However, the conditions include a landscaping scheme which will secure appropriate replacements. 

·  The access will be shared between the three properties and this will be a management issue.

·  There would be a reduction in green space but the landscape officer feels that this would be acceptable in a suburban environment.

·  With regard to the tests under the Habitats Regulations, it would be for Natural England to consider those tests in detail when determining any application for a European Protected Species Licence.  The Committee should only refuse permission on this basis if members concluded that it was unlikely that Natural England would grant a licence.

·  There may be some loss of light to no. 7 Northfields but this is not considered to be significant enough to justify refusal of the application.

Cllr Davis noted that the proposed materials are environmentally friendly and attempts have been made by the applicant to mitigate concerns raised through the application process.

Cllr Craig  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED to NOTEthe report.