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.

Cllr Malloy was substituting for Cllr Simon who had submitted apologies for absence.

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 of the process for public speakers to address the Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 2 July 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 2 July 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There are no site visit applications for consideration.

There no site visit applications for consideration.

1.  25/01695/FUL - 6 Southdown Avenue, Southdown, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

2.  25/00872/PIP - Highbanks, The Street, Stowey, Bristol

3.  25/00041/FUL - Parcel 6200, Moorledge Lane, Chew Magna, Bristol

4.  25/01768/FUL - 41 Bloomfield Rise, Bloomfield, 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.

1.  25/01695/FUL - 6 Southdown Avenue, Southdown, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

The Planning Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the change of use from a 3-bedroom dwelling (Class C3) to a 6-Bedroom

HMO (C4).

She gave a verbal update to amend the recommendation to delegate to permit subject to an additional condition to those listed in the report to secure obscure glazing to the bathroom windows at the rear. 

The following public representation was received:

1.  Martin Allsop, local resident, objecting to the application.

Cllr Dine Romero was in attendance as ward Councillor read a statement as summarised below:

1.  She was concerned that there was not sufficient amenity space for occupiers and also that there would be a loss of amenity for residents of neighbouring properties.

2.  The building works on site were not in line with what had been outlined in the plans and there was a concern that the property may be converted to a  7-bed dwelling.

3.  The conversion of the garage into a bedroom would have a detrimental impact on neighbours of the adjoining property. 

4.  There was a further concern that there would be an increase in pressure for parking in the wider area.

5.  She asked the Committee to refuse the application due to the unacceptable amenity space for occupiers of the property and loss of amenity to neighbouring properties.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The application was for converting a 3-bedroom dwelling (C3) to a 6-bedroom dwelling (C4).  An application for a 7+ bedroom dwelling would be sui generis and would require a separate planning permission.  In terms of the HMO concentration test, a 6-bed or a 7-bed dwelling would be counted as one unit.

2.  Most of the bedrooms met the standard size requirements but 2 were slightly below.  Officers considered the application to be compliant with policy D6 (residential amenity).

3.  The communal living space was 23.3m²

4.  Access to the rear of the dwelling would be through the house.  Bicyles would need to be taken through the house to reach the cycle store at the rear. 

5.  If planning permission was granted, works would need to be in accordance with the submitted plans.

6.  The application was policy compliant in terms of car parking and cycle parking provision. 

Cllr Crossley opened the debate as ward Councillor and raised concerns about the density of the HMO; the lack of adequate community space, 2 of the bedrooms being below the recommended standard size and the loss of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Cllr Halsall drew members’ attention to the decision relating to Hartley Wood in Clutton, where the Inspector had allowed the appeal due to the lack of a 5-year land supply for housing.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

Members welcomed the information and asked that future reports also include comparisons with neighbouring authorities.

In response to a question about the slight dip in the number of planning applications determined on time, the Deputy Head of Planning Development responded that there was no specific reason but this would continue to be monitored. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.