Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Matt McCabe – Cllr Rob Appleyard attended the meeting as a substitute.

The Committee noted that Cllr McCabe was currently unwell and wished him a speedy recovery.

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 Rob Appleyard declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application nos. 20/02817/FUL and 20/02818/LBA – Cedar Park Care Centre, 27-28 Oldfield Road, Bath.  Cllr Appleyard is the Cabinet Member for Adult Services which commissions care beds from the planning applicant.  He stated that he would withdraw from the meeting when the applications were discussed and would not speak or vote.

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 10 March 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

The following applications will be considered in the morning session (from 11am):

·  20/02817/FUL and 20/02818/LBA – Cedar Park Care Centre, 27-28 Oldfield Road, Bath

·  20/04939/FUL – 30A Lyncombe Hill, Lyncombe, Bath

The following applications will be considered in the afternoon session (from 2pm):

·  20/04902/FUL – 138 Wells Road, Lyncombe, Bath

·  20/04390/FUL – Crewcroft Barn, Hinton Hill, Hinton Charterhouse, Bath

The Committee considered:

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

·  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 decisions list attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

Item Nos. 1 & 2

Application Nos. 20/02817/FUL and 20/02818/LBA

Site Location: Cedar Park Care Centre, 27-28 Oldfield Road, Oldfield Park, Bath – Erection of a single and two storey extension to the south following demolition of the existing extension and link staircase, minor internal and external alterations to retained building, landscaping and minor amendments to existing access and parking (revised scheme).  Internal and external alterations for the erection of a single and two storey extension to the south following demolition of the existing extension and link staircase, minor internal and external alterations to retained building, landscaping and minor amendments to existing access and parking (revised scheme).

The Case Officer reported on the applications and her recommendation to grant planning permission and listed building consent.  She informed the committee that 24 additional objections had been received since the publication of the report.  These expressed concerns regarding issues such as scale and massing, overdevelopment, overlooking, harm to residential amenity, highway safety and biodiversity loss.

A representative of the local objectors and a representative from the Bath Preservation Trust spoke against the application.

The agent and a representative of the applicant spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Shaun Stephenson-McGall, local ward member, spoke against the application.  He pointed out the large number of objections that had been received.  He expressed concern about the potential harm to residential amenity, the scale, height and character of the proposal, ecological harm, the overbearing nature of the proposal and overdevelopment.  He felt that there was a lack of consideration for the heritage of the building and that the considerable harm that would be caused to the local amenity had not been given full consideration.  He stated that the public benefits would be marginal.

Officers then responded to questions as follows:

·  The Highways Officer confirmed that he considered the parking to be adequate, bearing in mind that not all staff would be on site at the same time.

·  The entrance porch and reception area would remain unchanged, and the western access would be slightly widened.

·  There are currently 50 rooms in the care home containing 52 bed spaces.  The Orchard Wing contains 18 bed spaces which are currently used for staff and storage meaning that 34 spaces are operational. The proposal is for 49 rooms with 49 bed spaces. 

·  Fern Cottage is the nearest dwelling to the Cedar Care Centre.  There are three windows on the front elevation of the Care Centre with one which overlooks the Cottage.  The overlooking window will be removed.

·  The proposal is legally compliant and none of the technical consultees have raised any objections.  The Conservation Officer stated in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

The Chair informed the Committee that there have recently been a number of changes to permitted development rules, with further new measures on the way.  Officers will provide a more comprehensive summary of these changes at a future meeting.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

Officers agreed to send an update by email to committee members regarding enforcement action at Marsh Lane, Clutton and Wells Square, Westfield.

RESOLVED to NOTE the report.