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.

The following apologies for absence and substitutions were noted:

Cllr Duncan Hounsell substituting for Cllr Deborah Collins

Cllr Sarah Evans substituting for Cllr Tim Warren.

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.

Cllr Lucy Hodge declared an interest in item 1 - 24/03168/REG03 - Council Cleansing Depot, Locksbrook Road, Newbridge, Bath as the Cabinet Project Lead for Council Priorities & Delivery and for Neighbourhood Services and confirmed she would be withdrawing from the meeting during discussion of that item. 

In relation to agenda item 6 - 24/01135/FUL - Kennet Lodge, Kennet Park, Bathampton, Bath, Cllr Toby Simon declared that he was acquainted with the speaker from Bathampton Parish Council and confirmed that this would not affect his judgement in relation to the application.

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 of the process for public speakers to address the Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

It was moved by Cllr Toby Simon, seconded by Cllr Fiona Gourley

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12 March 2025 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

There are no site visit applications for consideration.

There were no site visit applications for consideration.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  24/03168/REG03 - Council Cleansing Depot, Locksbrook Road, Newbridge, Bath

2.  24/04206/OUT - The Wildland, Church Lane, East Harptree, Bristol

The following items will be considered at 2pm:

3.  24/02838/TPIP - Land to south of 2, The Orchard, Stanton Drew, Bristol

4.  23/02825/FUL - Parcel 1172, Radford Hill, Radford, Bristol

5.  25/00409/FUL - 41 Freeview Road, Twerton, Bath

6.  24/01135/FUL - Kennet Lodge, Kennet Park, Bathampton, Bath

The Committee considered:

1.  A report and update report by the Head of Planning on the applications under the main applications list.

2.  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 applications decisions list attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

[Cllr Lucy Hodge withdrew from the meeting during the consideration of the first application.]

1.  24/03168/REG03 - Council Cleansing Depot, Locksbrook Road, Newbridge, Bath

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the change of use of an existing street cleansing depot and 24-hour car park

ancillary to retain street cleansing depot with a new Recycling Centre and adjacent customer parking/drop off area with associated operational development including alteration of vehicular access; new pedestrian/cycle access; landscaping; and drainage works.

She gave a verbal update as follows:

1.  Page 52 of the report referred to a Biodiversity Net Gain increase of 301.91% habitat units and should read 74% habitat units.

2.  4 additional objections had been received following the publication of the committee papers raising concerns in relation to the need for a like for like centre; location; transport and accessibility; environment impact; flooding; residential amenity; equalities; human health and pollution.  These issues had already been addressed in the Committee report.

She confirmed the officers’ recommendation that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The following public representations were received:

1.  Tim Wallace and Dr Steve Rocliffe, local residents, objecting to the application.

2.  Chris Beaver, agent supporting the application.

Cllr Samantha Kelly was in attendance as ward Councillor and read a statement on behalf of herself and Cllr Michelle O’Doherty as summarised below:

1.  The ward Councillors had asked that the application be determined by the Planning Committee to allow concerns to be heard in public.

2.  They acknowledged that the proposal had undergone changes to address objections, but concerns remained in relation to traffic, parking and accessibility.

3.  In terms of traffic, the junction with Upper Bristol Road was a concern as there were already delays in that area.  The booking system relied on full compliance, and it was likely that additional vehicles would turn up without booking.  Reassurances were needed that the rules concerning pre-booking would be enforced.

4.  There was a proposal for a residents parking zone, but until this was in place there were concerns about parking pressures in the area. 

5.  There were questions around how usable the site was for people with limited mobility.

6.  There were also environmental impact concerns due to the close proximity to the River Avon and flooding and drainage needed to be monitored. 

7.  If the Committee was minded to approve the application, assurances were needed about these concerns.

Cllr George Tomlin was in attendance as adjacent ward Councillor and read a statement on behalf  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Cllr Eleanor Jackson thanked officers for their work in defending appeals, especially in relation to 22/02169/EOUT - parcel 4234 Combe Hay Lane, Combe Hay Bath.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.