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.

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs Lucy Hodge and Toby Simon.

Cllr Fiona Gourley was substituting for Cllr Lucy Hodge and Cllr Ruth Malloy was substituting for Cllr Toby Simon.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair reported that the Council’s Planning Service had won two awards at the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) South West Awards for Planning Excellence and the service would go forward to the national awards in October.

The Committee congratulated the Planning Service for this achievement.

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 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 June 2023 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

It was moved by Cllr Eleanor Jackson seconded by Cllr Tim Warren and:

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  23/00895/FUL Waterworks Cottage, Charlcombe Way, Fairfield Park, Bath.

2.  22/04431/FUL Regency Laundry Service, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath.

The following items will be considered at 2pm:

3.  22/03580/FUL Former Welton Bibby And Baron Factory, Station Road, Welton, Midsomer Norton.

4.  22/01861/FUL The Old Farmhouse , Withyditch, Dunkerton, Bath.

5.  22/01862/LBA The Old Farmhouse , Withyditch, Dunkerton, Bath

The Committee considered:

A report by the Head of Planning on various planning applications under the main applications list.

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 decisions list attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

(1)  23/00895/FUL – Waterworks Cottage, Charlcombe Way, Fairfield Park, Bath

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered the erection of two detached dwellings with associated means of access, car parking and associated infrastructure following the demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding.  She confirmed that the application had been deferred at the previous meeting to allow members to visit the site and also that the principle of the loss of the cottage had been established as there was prior approval to demolish the cottage under permitted development rights.

She gave a verbal update to report a typographical error in the second to last paragraph under ‘design, character and appearance’ in the report where the words “whilst the overall design is not” should be deleted and confirmed that officers considered the design to be acceptable.  She also confirmed that a further objection had been received since the site visit in relation to loss of views, visual impact of design and urban to rural transition and that these concerns had already been addressed in the report. 

She confirmed her recommendation that permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The following public representations were received:

1.  Chris Parkin, local resident, objecting to the application.

2.  Tom Rocke, agent, supporting the application.

Cllr Joanna Wright was in attendance as local ward member.  She thanked the Committee for visiting the site and raised the following issues:

1.  The application for 2 dwellings was an intensive development that would harm the character and appearance of the area of outstanding natural beauty.

2.  There were amenity concerns, the raised balcony was overbearing and the height of plot one would result in neighbouring properties being overlooked.

3.  The design was contrary to policies D1 – D6

4.  A large number of local residents had objected along with Bath Preservation Trust, Charlcombe Parish Council and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. 

5.  Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group was concerned about the impact on the local amphibian population.

6.  There were poor transport links to the site.

She asked the Committee to refuse the application. 

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The volume of plot 1 was bigger than the existing cottage and plot 2 was additional and so there would be an increased footprint on the site as a result of the development.  The increase in volume was not a consideration as the site was on the edge rather than within the greenbelt.

2.  There was a condition relating to a waste management plan for the site. 

3.  Officers concluded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Cllr Eleanor Jackson requested an update on the inspector decision in relation to The Magpies, Radstock and enforcement action in relation to the hole in the wall on Frome Road. 

In response to a question as to whether there was any learning from the Inspector’s decision in relation to 22/02743/PIP Land To South Of 2 The Orchard Stanton Drew in relation to Passivhaus applications, the lead officer confirmed it was an in permission in principle application which followed a different process. He confirmed that it was possible for the application to come back to committee if in accordance with the scheme of delegation.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Committee is asked to note the Quarterly Performance Report.

In response to a question about whether targets should be reviewed, the lead planning officer confirmed that there was a recent government consultation on planning policy and that targets may be reviewed as a result of that process. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.