Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Planning Committee.

It was moved by Cllr Deborah Collins, seconded by Cllr Tim Warren and on being put to the vote it was;

RESOLVED that Cllr Ian Halsall be elected Chair of the Planning Committee.

To elect a Vice-Chair for the 2024-2025 municipal year.

It was moved by Cllr Fiona Gourley, seconded by Cllr Deborah Collins and on being put to the vote it was;

RESOLVED that Cllr Lucy Hodge be elected Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee.

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

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

There were no apologies for absence or substitutions.

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 Deborah Collins declared the following interests:

Item (1) 22/03224/EFUL Former Gasworks, Windsor Bridge Road, Twerton, Bath as the former Cabinet Project Lead (Leader and Built Environment & Sustainable Development) she had met the developers and was briefed on the application and would withdraw from the meeting to avoid any perception of bias.

Item (2) 24/01261/VAR Bath Rugby Club, Bath Recreation Ground, Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, Bath as she had been a season ticket holder at Bath Rugby and would withdraw from the meeting during consideration of that application.

Cllr Tim Warren declared an interest in item (2) 24/01261/VAR Bath Rugby Club, Bath Recreation Ground, Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, Bath as a season ticket holder at Bath Rugby and that he would withdraw from the meeting during the consideration of that application.

Cllr Paul Crossley declared an interest in item (2) 24/01261/VAR Bath Rugby Club, Bath Recreation Ground, Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, Bath as a season ticket holder at Bath Rugby and that he would withdraw from the meeting during the consideration of that application.

Cllr Shaun Hughes declared an interest in item (3) 24/00662/FUL - 26 - 28 Orchard Vale, Midsomer Norton, as he had already objected to the application as a ward member in Midsomer Norton.  He confirmed he would stand down from the Committee, speak as local Member and then withdraw from the meeting.

Cllr Eleanor Jackson declared that she was a member of Westfield Parish Council and would be reading a statement on behalf of the Parish Council in relation to item (3) 24/00662/FUL - 26 - 28 Orchard Vale, Midsomer Norton.  She confirmed she would not be withdrawing from the meeting as she had not prejudged the application.

Cllr Lucy Hodge declared an interest in item (9) 24/01330/TCA - Audley House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath as the owner of the property which was the subject of the application for tree surgery works and confirmed she would withdraw from the meeting.

Cllr Toby Simon declared an interest in item (9) 24/01330/TCA - Audley House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath as a near neighbour who could view the trees from his property and confirmed he would withdraw from the meeting.

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 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 Wednesday 8 May 2024 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

It was moved by Cllr Eleanor Jackson seconded by Tim Cllr Warren and:

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8 May 2024 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  22/03224/EFUL – Former Gasworks, Windsor Bridge Road, Twerton, Bath

2.  24/01261/VAR - Bath Rugby Club, Bath Recreation Ground, Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, Bath

The following items will be considered at 2pm:

3.  24/00662/FUL - 26 - 28 Orchard Vale, Midsomer Norton

4.  23/03510/FUL - Odd Down Sports Pavilion, Chelwood Drive, Odd Down, Bath

5.  23/04747/FUL - Lower Shockerwick Farm, Shockerwick Farm Lane, Bathford

6.  23/04748/LBA - Lower Shockerwick Farm, Shockerwick Farm Lane. Bathford

7.  23/04001/OUT - Corner Cottage, Frog Lane, Ubley, Bristol

8.  24/00360/FUL - Staddle Stones, 5 Saltford Court, Saltford

9.  24/01330/TCA - Audley House, Park Gardens, Lower Weston, Bath

The Committee considered:

A report and update report by the Head of Planning on the applications under the main applications list.

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)  22/03224/EFUL – Former Gasworks, Windsor Bridge Road, Twerton, Bath

Cllr Deborah Collins withdrew from the meeting for this application.

The Planning Case Officer introduced the report which considered the demolition of existing buildings and decontamination/remediation of

the site to facilitate redevelopment for a residential-led mixed-use

development.

She gave a verbal update to report a correction to the report to refer to the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) and also to report that a further response had been received from BSW ICB and added to file but the submission had not changed the officer recommendation.

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

1.  A Section 106 Agreement to secure:

a)  The provision of 12% affordable housing and suitable viability review mechanism

b)  A contribution of £6,000 towards fire hydrants

c)  Highways and transport obligations/contributions

d)  Landscape and ecological management plan

e)  Delivery and marketing of the proposed nursery use

f)  Parks and Open Space Contribution of £707,709

g)  Sustainable construction contribution towards carbon offset fund of £225,310

h)  Targeted recruitment and training in contribution obligation

i)  Monitoring fee

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

The following public representations were received:

1.  Caroline McHardy, agent, supporting the application.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  12% of the residential units would be affordable housing and this would be 72 shared ownership units.  There would be no social housing as this had not been considered viable following the viability assessment. 

2.  The applicants could justify having no affordable housing on site but had agreed 12% to be delivered through Homes England Affordable Grant

3.  Funding.  The affordable housing would be delivered in phase 4 in block B.

4.  In terms of food growing space, there would be planters included as part of the landscaping scheme as well as balcony areas.  There would be a contribution to parks and green spaces which could be used for offsite provision.

5.  In relation to the stability of Alder trees, the Arboricultural Officer had been consulted about the mix of trees and had not raised any concerns.

6.  Flood mitigation measures would be covered by a condition and there were already flood defences in place due to the site’s proximity to the River Avon.

7.  There would be some roof mounted solar panels but as the on-site generation would not meet with the total energy use, there would be a contribution towards the carbon offsetting fund.  It was not possible to include additional solar panels without impacting on heritage views.

8.  The vast majority of highways issues had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.