Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will ask the Committee Administrator to draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

There were no 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 2, A and 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.

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 23 October 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Head of Planning on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on items 3, 7 and 8 attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

·  Oral statements by members of the public and representatives.  A copy of the speakers’ list is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the decisions list attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 18/04958/OUT

Site Location: Midsomer Norton South Railway Station, Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EY – Outline application with all matters reserved for:

1.  New maintenance shed (up to 700 m2).

2.  Extension to existing maintenance shed to provide ancillary café, retail facilities and meeting space (up to 90 m2).

3.  Extension and refurbishment to existing WC building (up to 10 m2).

4.  Education and training room and site office (up to 80 m2), with museum above (up to 80 m2).

5.  Workshop building (up to 120 m2).

6.  Change of use of former stable building to form 2 one bedroom tourist accommodation units.  Associated extension and external alterations.

7.  Associated landscaping works.

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit. 

Cllr Eleanor Jackson spoke against the application on behalf of Westfield Parish Council.  She raised concerns regarding traffic congestion and road safety issues, parking, and radical changes to the views.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Officers then responded to questions as follows:

·  The Case Officer stated that no business plan or viability study has been provided with the application.  However, the Trust’s vision for future development has been submitted.

·  The Legal Advisor explained that the planning history of a site is a material consideration and that the amount of weight the Committee gives this is for members to decide.

·  Cllr Jackson asked whether a condition requiring improvements to the pedestrian crossing would be possible.  The Case Officer stated that this would require evidence that any issues with the crossing would be created as a direct result of the development and that the crossing is unsafe.  The Highways Officer stated that the crossing is a recent toucan crossing and that he was not aware of any particular incidents in this location.

Cllr Davis felt that the application would move the proposals for the station forward and noted the amount of effort that had been put in by volunteers to improve the facilities in this location.  She then moved the officer recommendation to permit.  This was seconded by Cllr Clarke.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 9 votes in favour and 1 against to PERMIT the outline application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Item No. 2

Application No. 19/03138/FUL

Site Location: Land rear of 7 and 8 Staunton Way, Whitchurch – Erection of 6 two bed dwellings and 1 four bed dwelling

The Case Officer reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED to NOTEthe report.