Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies of absence were received from Cllrs Hal MacFie and Toby Simon.  Cllr Duncan Hounsell was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr 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.

Cllr Eleanor Jackson declared an interest in item (3) of the mains application list: 25/01546/FUL – 1 Wells Road, Westfield, Bath as a Director of Radstock Co-operative Society which was located on an adjacent site.  She confirmed she would read a statement on behalf of herself and ward member Cllr Mansell and then withdraw from the meeting and not take part in the debate or vote on that 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 Wednesday 22 October 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of 22 October 2025 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

1.  25/00142/RES - Bath Quays North Development Site, Avon Street, City Centre, Bath

2.  25/02735/FUL - Bath Fire Station, Bathwick Street, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6PU

3.  25/01546/FUL - 1 Wells Road, Westfield, Bath And North East Somerset

4.  25/01499/FUL - 56 Stonehouse Lane, Combe Down, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset, BA2 5DW

5.  23/04552/FUL - Central Garage, 93 Bristol Road, Whitchurch, Bristol, Bath And North East Somerset

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.  25/00142/RES - Bath Quays North Development Site, Avon Street, City Centre, Bath

The Planning Case Officer introduced the report which considered a reserved matters application for layout, scale, appearance and landscaping for plots 6 and 7.

He confirmed the officers’ recommendation that officers be delegated to permit the application subject to:

A) A Legal Agreement to secure:

1.  A financial contribution of £243,840.48 towards greenspace enhancement and maintenance in the local area associated with additional need generated by the development.

2.  A financial contribution of £330,430.58 towards the Council's carbon offsetting fund to mitigate residual emissions in compliance with Policy SCR6.

3.  A travel plan delivery and monitoring bond £75,175 +/- £4,775 monitoring fee as required by the Transport & Development SPD.

4.  A financial contribution of £5,114.60 towards Traffic Regulation Order to accommodate disabled car parking and/or car club bay on public highway (as necessary).

5.  A planning obligation securing at least 2 years membership to the nearest car club bay for each dwelling on occupation.

6.  A planning obligation securing creation and delivery of 1 new car club bay on the public highway surrounding the development, or at an alternative location on the wider development site forming part of the outline planning permission (Bath Quays North).

7.  Planning obligation to provide 14 work placements, 2 apprenticeships and 2 new jobs in construction as well as a £7,040.00 contribution towards Targeted Recruitment and Training in Bath and North East Somerset.

B) The conditions set out in the report (or such conditions as may be appropriate).

The following public representations were received:

1.  Klass Koopmans, local resident, objecting to the application

2.  Chris Beaver, agent, supporting the application

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The difference between accessible and wheelchair accessible dwellings referred to different design standards for building regulations, accessible dwellings could be adapted in the future whereas wheelchair accessible dwellings could be occupied immediately by wheelchair users.

2.  The development did not include affordable housing.  This was policy compliant as the target of 40% affordable housing was subject to a viability study and there was evidence that the provision of affordable housing was unviable in relation to this development.  This was because the development as a whole had to be taken into account and it was the building costs associated with the whole site including commercial development that made the provision of affordable housing unviable. 

3.  There was a viability review mechanism secured by a S106 Agreement prior to works commencing on site.

4.  The issue of affordable housing could not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.