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.

Cllr Paul Crossley declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in planning application no. 21/02198/FUL – Orchard Rise, Sham Castle Lane, Bath – as he is the applicant and owner of the property.  Cllr Crossley stated that he would leave the meeting when this application was discussed.

Cllr Paul Crossley declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application nos. 21/02198/FUL and 21/02199/LBA – Liberal Democrats, 31 James Street West, Bath - as he is a member of the Liberal Democrat Party.

Cllr Hal MacFie declared an interest in planning application nos. 21/02198/FUL and 21/02199/LBA – Liberal Democrats, 31 James Street West, Bath – as he is on the Executive Committee of the Liberal Democrats.  Cllr MacFie stated that he would leave the meeting when this application was discussed.

The Chair read out a statement explaining that she was aware that councillors and officers have recently been negatively targeted on social media.  This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  If members of the public wish to make a complaint then they can do this via the corporate complaints procedure, details of which can be found on the B&NES Council website.

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 30 June 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The following applications will be considered in the morning session (from 11am):

·  20/03071/EFUL – Dick Lovett (Bath) Ltd, Wellsway Garage, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath – WITHDRAWN FROM AGENDA

·  21/01412/FUL – Units 1-4, Old Station Yard, Keynsham

·  21/01646/FUL – 3 Barrow View, Timsbury Road, Farmborough, Bath, BA2 0FB

·  21/02166/FUL – Upper Flat, 135 Wells Road, Lyncombe, Bath, BA2 3AN

The following applications will be considered in the afternoon session (from 2pm):

·  21/01752/FUL and 21/01753/LBA – Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Upper Borough Walls, Bath

·  21.00435/EREG – Ministry of Defence Storage and Distribution Centre, Pixash Lane, Keynsham

·  20/04067/FUL – Waterworks Cottage, Charlcombe Way, Fairfield Park, Bath, BA1 6JZ

·  20/03392/FUL – Barn North of Village Hall, Langridge Lane, Langridge, Bath

·  21/02424/FUL – Orchard Rise, Sham Castle Lane, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6JL

·  21/02198/FUL and 21/02199/LBA – Liberal Democrats, 31 James Street West, Bath, BA1 2BT

The Committee considered:

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

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on item no. 3 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. 20/03071/EFUL

Site Location: Dick Lovett (Bath) Ltd, Wellsway Garage, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath – Demolition of existing buildings and mixed-use development of the site comprising the erection of residential units (Class C3), erection of purpose-built managed student accommodation (Sui Generis); flexible commercial floorspace (Class E); associated parking; landscaping; improvements to the public realm; and new vehicular access from Lower Bristol Road.

This application was withdrawn from the agenda due to the submission of new information which needs to be considered by the Case Officer.  The application will be considered at a future meeting.

Item No. 2

Application No. 21/01646/FUL

Site Location: 3 Barrow View, Timsbury Road, Farmborough, Bath – Erection of first floor side extension.

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

Cllr Davis, local ward member on the committee, noted that additional information has now been submitted and considered by the Case Officer.  She felt that the proposal will provide symmetry with the neighbouring property and moved the officer recommendation to permit.  This was seconded by Cllr Hounsell.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously to PERMIT the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Item No. 3

Application No. 21/02166/FUL

Site Location: Upper Flat, 135 Wells Road, Lyncombe, Bath – Change of Use of an upper 4-bedroom flat (Use Class C3) to 5-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4).

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to permit.  He briefly outlined the reasons why this application had been called to committee by Cllr Born, which included concern about the density of HMO properties in the area.  He also informed the committee that the applicant wished to retract the statement submitted by the agent which was set out in the report.  He then read out a replacement statement by the applicant.

Cllr Alison Born, local ward member, spoke against the application.  She expressed concern about the high number of HMO properties already in this area.  She felt that an additional HMO would have a detrimental effect on local amenity including additional noise.  She also noted the lack of communal space in the property and the loss of a family home.

The Case Officer then responded to questions as follows:

·  The property is semi-detached and currently divided into two flats.

·  The parking is considered to be adequate (3 spaces) and no further residents’ parking permits will be issued for this area.

·  When a property  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the quarterly performance report from April to June 2021.

RESOLVED to note the report.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.  Cllr Jackson congratulated officers on their high success rate.

RESOLVED to note the report.