Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

86.

Emergency evacuation procedure

The Democratic Services Officer will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

87.

Apologies for absence and Substitutions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence or substitutions.

88.

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 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Brian Simmons declared a non-registerable interest in item 2 on the main application list 22/04670/REG03 – 20-30 Temple Street, Keynsham as a board member of Keynsham Heritage Action Zone (HAZ).

 

89.

To Announce any Urgent Business Agreed by the Chair

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

90.

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

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.

Additional documents:

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.

91.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 508 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of 8 February 2023 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Cllr Sally Davis, seconded by Cllr Shelley Bromley and:

 

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8 February 2023 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

 

92.

Site Visit List - Applications for Planning Permission Etc for Determination by the Committee pdf icon PDF 179 KB

The following application will be considered in the morning session starting at 11am:

 

1.  22/02863/FUL - Mill Barn, Millards Hill, Welton, Midsomer Norton

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered:

 

A report by the Head of Planning and an update report in relation under the site visit 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 site visit decisions list attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

 

(1)  22/02863/FUL - Mill Barn, Millards Hill, Welton, Midsomer Norton

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the erection of an external classroom, consisting of natural rendered

clay bricks to form landscaping wall, pizza oven & rainwater collection

with arrayed valleyed roof.  She confirmed the officer recommendation was to permit the application.

 

The following public representations were received:

 

1.  Charlotte Lucas, applicant, in support of the application.

 

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed.

1.  Parents/carers could drive into the school site to drop off/pick up students and did not need to wait on the highway. 

2.  The current vehicle movements peaked at 8am with 83 movements and officers would expect the increase of 8 pupils and 2 full time members of staff to result in a corresponding increase. 

3.  The proposals for a staggered drop/off pick up time would be included in the details of the travel plan which was a condition of the consent.  The details of the travel plan would be assessed by officers.

4.  The parking provision was considered to be acceptable to meet the additional demand relating to this application for an increase of 8 pupils and 2 full time members of staff.

5.  The local bus services had been considered by officers and found to have marginal impact in relation to the development.

6.  Although there was mention in the report that the application was the first stage of a masterplan for the site, a decision could only be made in relation to the current application and future applications would be considered on their merits. 

7.  The design of the roof was considered to be appropriate; the form was open rather than fully enclosed. 

8.  There would be some harm to the listed building, but this was considered to be less than substantial and would be outweighed by the public benefit.

 

Cllr Shaun Hughes opened the debate as ward member.  He stated that he had no concerns about the proposed structure, but that there was a need to manage the transport issues and maintain a balance between the needs of the business and local residents.  He welcomed the travel plan and proposals to stagger drop off and pick up times and hoped that the use of the nearby cycle track would also be encouraged.  He also encouraged the applicant to have more dialogue with local residents, especially regarding transport.  He concluded that, on balance, the benefits outweighed the harm.

 

Cllr Duncan Hounsell proposed the officer recommendation that permission be granted subject to the conditions set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

93.

Main Plans List - Applications for Planning Permission Etc for Determination by the Committee pdf icon PDF 479 KB

The following items will be considered in the morning session starting at 11am:

 

1.  22/03288/FUL – St Julian’s Church, Wellow

2.  22/04670/REG03 – 22 Temple Street, Keynsham

 

The following item will be considered in the afternoon session starting at 2pm:

 

3.  22/02604/FUL – New Leaf Barn, Bathampton

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 3 to these minutes.

 

(1)  22/03288/FUL – St Julian’s Church, Wellow

 

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the erection of a single storey extension to the church to provide WC and kitchen facilities.

 

She gave an update as follows:

1.  Historic England had submitted a final response following a site visit to the church expressing concern that the application would cause some harm to the visual harmony of the exterior of the church and in views of it. 

2.  The Council’s Ecology Officer had submitted a response to state that applicants had proposed the installation of a blackout blind for the rooflight triggered by light levels and provided details to show the stonework was in good condition and there was low risk of roosting bats being directly impacted.  However, ecology concerns remained about how far light spill would project from the skylight if the blinds failed, and it was recommended that there should either be a report by a lighting engineer or a bat survey

 

She confirmed the officer recommendation that the application be refused as set out in the report with the removal of refusal reason 2 relating to biodiversity.

 

The following public representations were received:

1.  Cllr Pat Caudle, Wellow Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

2.  Jonathan Hetreed, architect, and Jane Rees, St Julian’s PCC, spoke in support of the application.

 

Cllr Matt McCabe, in attendance as local Member, raised the following points:

1.  This was a difficult application as the church was a historic building, but there was a need to balance this with the community gain.  The population had changed since the church was built in the 1400s and an ageing population needed access to toilet facilities.

2.  The applicant had considered different options and the one put forward in the application caused the least harm.

3.  A precedent had been set on the East Side when the Victorian Vestry was built.

4.  The development was subservient to the original structure.

5.  The church was a source of pride for local residents and the addition of kitchen and toilet facilities would allow the church to be used more by the local community. 

 

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The Ecologist was concerned about the automated blackout blind in the event of the mechanism failing and the potential impact of light spill on bats.  Although a high resolution photographic survey had shown there were no cracks or holes with bats, there were partially open louvres which had the potential for housing bats.  Without a bat survey or lighting engineer report there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

20230308 Speaking List pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

94.

Application to divert Public Footpath BC62/3, Church Lane, Combe Down, Bath under Section 119 Highways Act 1980 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This application was withdrawn by the applicant in advance of the meeting.

 

95.

New Planning Appeals Lodged, Decisions Received and Dates of Forthcoming Hearings/Inquiries pdf icon PDF 74 KB

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In response to question about enforcement action in relation to the alterations on the façade of a building in High Street, Keynsham, the Team Manager (Development Management) undertook to bring a report back to the next committee.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.