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.

There were no apologies for absence or substitutions.

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.

There was no urgent business.

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 Wednesday 14 February 2024 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

It was moved by Cllr Eleanor Jackson seconded by Cllr Toby Simon and:

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 February 2024 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  22/05081/FUL - 53 Rockliffe Road, Bathwick, Bath

2.  23/00537/FUL - 14 Woodland Grove, Claverton Down, Bath

The Committee considered:

A report and update report by the Head of Planning on the applications under the site visit applications list.

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)  22/05081/FUL – 53 Rockliffe Road, Bathwick, Bath

The Planning Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the erection of a three-bedroom dwelling with associated landscaping and car parking.  She reported that an update report had been circulated in relation to third party comments to delete references to the site being brownfield land and clarifying that officers had not attached substantial weight to the fact that part of the land could be considered brownfield.  She gave a verbal update to confirm that the sentence “The dwelling itself has been re-orientated by 90 degrees in comparison to the refused scheme” should read “withdrawn scheme”.

She confirmed the officers’ recommendation that permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and a Section 106 agreement to secure a financial contribution for off-site trees of £10,681.

The following public representations were received:

1.  Andy Harrison objecting to the application.

2.  Will Collins, agent, supporting the application.

Cllr Manda Rigby, speaking as local ward member, thanked the Committee for visiting the site and raised the following points:

1.  The width of the proposed development was equal to the width of 3 nearby properties, and it was almost as high as it was built up on plinths due to its location in a flood zone.

2.  The orientation was counter to all neighbouring properties.

3.  The proposed development would not enhance or conserve the conservation area, it would have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties due to overlooking, it constituted over development and there would be a loss of local biodiversity.

She urged the Committee to reject the application.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  It was not known how the proposed development differed in size to the applicants’ existing property but the fact that the applicants were looking to downsize was not a planning consideration.

2.  The proposed development would need be built up on plinths to a certain height to comply with flood amelioration measures.  This was a safety requirement for all new properties built in a flood zone.

3.  The proposed roof would be flat.

4.  It was the view of officers that louvres would help mitigate the impact of overlooking.

5.  The fact that trees had not been replanted on site in accordance with a previous condition was not a consideration.  Enforcement action had not been pursued as the development had not been completed.  The current application accommodated as much tree planting on site as space allowed along with the contribution towards off site tree planting. 

6.  No specific site had yet been identified for the offsite contribution towards tree planting as this would be confirmed at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

There are no main plans list applications for consideration.

There were no main plans list applications for consideration.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

In relation to a question about the refusal for a dropped kerb at 23/00714/FUL124 Old Fosse Road, Members were advised that this did not set a precedent in terms of these types of application as there were highway grounds for refusal that were specific to this application.

The Team Manager (Development Management) undertook to give an update on enforcement action in relation to the Roman City Guest House, 18 Raby Place, Bathwick as requested at the previous meeting. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.