Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Lucy Hodge (substitute Cllr Ruth Malloy).

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.

The following declarations were made:

·  Cllr Vic Clarke stated that he is a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

·  Cllr Manda Rigby made a declaration in relation to application no. 20/01061/FUL – 21 Henrietta Gardens, Bathwick, Bath.  Cllr Rigby used to live at 18 Henrietta Gardens but had not discussed the application with any of the current residents.

·  Cllr Eleanor Jackson stated that she knew the agent for application no. 20/01078/FUL – Land North of 9B Tennis Court Avenue, Paulton, as he lives near to her.  However, Cllr Jackson clarified that she did not know the agent well and so this would not impede her ability to consider the application.

The Chair announced that he had agreed to consider two urgent items of business at this meeting:

·  Planning Application Number 18/01516/REG04 – Land to the Rear of 89 to 123 Englishcombe Lane, Bath.  The item would be presented to this meeting following a change to the Scheme of Delegation which had been agreed at the full Council meeting the preceding week.  The reason for the urgency was that there was a large grant for ecological mitigation work associated with the application and the mitigation work had to be carried out during September and October.  To enable the Committee to be able to take the full range of decisions (including deferring for a site visit if necessary) the application had to be considered at this meeting in order to make a decision within the necessary timescale.

·  Member Call-in Period – The Committee was asked to consider extending the time for members to be able to call in an application to be heard by the Planning Committee to two days after the closure of the consultation period.  This was being considered as an urgent item to enable any changes to the scheme to be implemented as soon as possible.

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 1 July 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

·  Minute no. 11 – Declarations of interest – amend the declaration made by Cllr Duncan Hounsell to read “Walden Road” rather than “Torridge Road”.

·  Minute no. 16 – Main Plans List – Item No. 8 – paragraph 12 – Amend “Waldron Road” to read “Walden Road”.

Cllr Rigby expressed concern that, despite a request at the last meeting for an update regarding recent enforcement action at Queenwood Avenue, Bath, this had not yet been received.

RESOLVED: To request that:

·  An update on the enforcement action at 18-25 Queenwood Avenue, Bath be emailed to members of the committee as soon as possible.

·  A progress report be submitted to the next meeting on the enforcement action taken at Parcel 2300 and Roberts Yard, Marsh Lane, Clutton.

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on items 1 and 2 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. 20/01078/FUL

Site Location: Land North of 9B, Tennis Court Avenue, Paulton – Erection of detached dwelling

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

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Liz Hardman, local ward member, spoke against the application.  She stated that, the principle of housing development has been established on Tennis Court Avenue, a street made up entirely of semi-detached properties. However, a detached dwelling would not be in keeping with the street scene as all other houses in the street are semi-detached.  She pointed out that a precedent has been set where two very recent applications in Tennis Court Avenue, for detached houses were rejected and both appeals had been dismissed by the Planning Inspector.  She also stated that Paulton Parish Council is strongly opposed to the application.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  There would be a side access which both the new property and 21 Hope Terrace would be able to use.

·  A number of the properties in this part of the street have sold off part of their long gardens for development and the character of the area has changed as a result of new properties being built.

Cllr Jackson noted the impact of the development on the street scene and felt that the application should be refused on the grounds of urban design.  She felt that the existing garage is neat and tidy and has no adverse impact on the area.  It would not be possible to erect semi-detached properties on this plot.

Cllr Clarke had visited the area and did not see evidence of any particular parking problems in this street.

Cllr Hounsell felt that the design would fit in with the location and moved the officer recommendation to permit.  This was seconded by Cllr Craig who stated that the development would not make any difference to parking in the area and that it would be a shame to lose the opportunity for a much-needed dwelling.

Cllr Rigby supported the motion stating that the detached dwelling would be in proportion with other properties in the street.

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

Item No. 2

Application No. 20/01061/FUL

Site Location: 21 Henrietta Gardens, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6NA – Erection of 4 dwellings and associated works following demolition of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Committee considered a report which asked them to consider a proposal to extend the time for members to be able to call in an application to be heard by the Planning Committee from 5 weeks from the publication of the Weekly List to 2 days after the closure of the public consultation/publicity period.  It was noted that, as a change to the Scheme of Delegation, the final decision must be made by the full Council and the Planning Committee’s views will inform the Council report.

It was noted that the proposal would reduce the transparency of deadline dates on applications as these may vary per application.  There has been no consultation on the proposal yet, and officers recommended that consultation with the Agents’ Forum should take place prior to any final decision.

RESOLVED: To defer consideration of this report until the next meeting to enable further work and consultation to take place.

The Chair asked the Committee whether they would agree to an additional standing item entitled “Policy Development” to be added to future agendas.  A number of policy developments are under discussion and will need to be considered at future meetings.

RESOLVED: To add a standing item entitled “Policy Development” to future Planning Committee agendas.

The Committee is asked to note the quarterly performance report.

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report from April to June 2020.

Councillor Hounsell asked for more detailed information to be provided regarding enforcement investigations.  He asked for the enforcement report (of resolved cases) to be split into those resolved due to compliance and those resolved due to it not being expedient to take action.

RESOLVED: To note the report.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED: To note the report.