Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

48.

Apologies for absence and Substitutions

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

49.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

The following members made declarations of interest:

 

 

·  Cllr Manda Rigby declared an interest in planning application no. 20/01893/LBA – Cleveland Bridge, Bathwick, Bath.  Cllr Rigby stated that she would not take part in the debate or vote on this item.  She would be addressing the committee in her capacity as a local ward member.

·  Cllr Manda Rigby declared an interest in planning application no. 20/02921/FUL – Site of Former Ministry of Defence Offices, Warminster Road, Bathwick, Bath.  Cllr Rigby stated that she had attended the exhibitions relating to this development along with the Planning Case Officer.

·  Cllr Eleanor Jackson declared an interest in planning application no. 18/05623/OUT – Co-operative Store A, Wells Road, Westfield as she is a member of the co-operative and holds a very small number of shares. She stated that she would not take part in the debate or vote on this item.

50.

To Announce any Urgent Business Agreed by the Chairman

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

51.

Items from the Public - To receive Deputations, Statements, Petitions or Questions

(1) At the time of publication, no items had been submitted.

 

(2) To note that, regarding planning applications to be considered, members of the public who have given the requisite notice to the Committee Administrator 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, ie 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.

Minutes:

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.

52.

Member/Officer Protocol

Minutes:

Cllr Jackson apologised for an inadvertent breach of the member/officer protocol following a comment she made at the August Planning Committee meeting.

53.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 238 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

54.

Main Plans List - Applications for Planning Permission Etc for Determination by the Committee pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The Committee considered:

 

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

 

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on items 1, 2 and 6 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. 20/02854/FUL

Site Location: 43 Elliston Drive, Southdown, Bath – Change of use from a 4-bedroom dwelling (Use Class C3) to a 6-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4).

 

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

 

The applicant spoke in favour of the application.

 

Cllr Dine Romero, Local Ward Member, spoke against the application.  She felt that it would have an adverse impact on the local area.  She also stated that parking is already difficult in this area and an HMO property was likely to exacerbate this.  It would also undermine the viability of schools and community facilities due to the loss of a family home.

 

Cllr Paul Crossley, Local Ward Member, spoke against the application.  He highlighted the negative impact of the spread of HMO properties on the functioning of the city leading to the loss of family homes.  Students do not pay Council Tax and the increase in student accommodation would have an adverse economic impact and could result in the loss of community facilities.

 

Officers then responded to questions as follows:

 

·  The application passes stage 1 of the test for HMO properties and is acceptable and in line with policy H2 of the Placemaking Plan (2017) and the HMO SPD (2017).

·  The provision of double yellow lines in the area would be a matter for the Highways Team.

·  A footpath upgrade can be secured by a legal agreement where it is necessary and relevant to the development, however, this development does not generate a need for such work.

·  Very little weight, if any, can be given to emerging policies.

·  An HMO property would not necessarily be occupied by students.

·  The room sizes for the property would be 8.7sqm, 8.6sqm, 6.54sqm,7.1sqm, 6.9sqm and 9sqm.  The communal space would be 23.71sqm and the kitchen would be 12.66sqm.  These measurements are in line with the HMO space standards.

·  There would be parking for 2 cars using the garage and the driveway.

·  There is a need in Bath for both HMO properties and family homes.

 

Cllr Jackson moved the officer recommendation to permit stating that there was no policy reason to refuse.  She pointed out that there would be no external changes to the property.  Cllr Davis seconded the motion and stated that the application was policy compliant and that a refusal would be difficult to defend on appeal.

 

Cllr Hodge felt that the application represented the unacceptable loss of a family property and was incompatible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Update Report - Appendix 1 pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Additional documents:

55.

Policy Development

To consider any policy development matters.

Minutes:

The Chair informed the committee that the recommended change to the Planning Scheme of Delegation will be considered at the Special Council Meeting to be held on 21 January 2021.

56.

Quarterly Performance Report - July to September 2020 pdf icon PDF 348 KB

The Committee is asked to note the quarterly performance report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report for July to September 2020.

 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

57.

New Planning Appeals Lodged, Decisions Received and Dates of Forthcoming Hearings/Inquiries pdf icon PDF 69 KB

The Committee is asked to note the appeals report.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the appeals report.

 

RESOLVED: To note the report.