Agenda and minutes

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

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Deborah Collins, Paul Crossley, Fiona Gourley and Shaun Hughes and there were the following substitutions:

Cllr Ruth Malloy for Cllr Deborah Collins

Cllr Alex Beaumont for Cllr Paul Crossley (am only)

Cllr Duncan Hounsell for Cllr Fiona Gourley

Cllr Colin Blackburn for Cllr Shaun Hughes

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 Tim Warren stated that the applicant in relation to application 3 - 23/04243/OUT - Hartley Wood, King Lane, Clutton had been formerly connected with his family, but he did not consider he had an interest in the application that would impact his judgement.

Cllr Lucy Hodge stated that she was ward member for application 2 -24/00523/FUL - Chalfont, Charlcombe Lane, Lansdown but she did not have a declarable interest in the item.

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 advised on the process for those registered to make statements on planning applications.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 August 2024 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Cllr Jackson proposed that the minutes be confirmed as a correct record subject to the insertion of the word “project” after “Somer Valley Link”.  This was seconded by Cllr Toby Simon and:

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 August 2024 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  23/04136/RES - 37 Coombend, Radstock

2.  24/01160/FUL - 11 Richmond Road, Bath

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.  23/04136/RES - 37 Coomb End, Radstock

The Planning Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the approval of reserved matters with regard to outline application 20/03800/OUT (proposed demolition of existing buildings, change of use of land to residential and erection of 5 dwellings). 

She confirmed the officers’ recommendation that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Cllr Lesley Mansell was unable to attend as ward member and a statement was read on her behalf summarised as below:

1.  She thanked the Committee for visiting the site and reiterated her support for Radstock Town Council’s objection to the application.

2.  The original application was for 7 x 2 bed dwellings and the latest application was for 6 in total (1 x 4 bed and 5 x 3 bed).  The reduction would not help meet housing targets in the areaand it is not clear how these larger dwellings will be affordable to local people.

3.  In the past there had been a collapse of the land due to water drainage from Bath New Road and this needed to be taken into account.

4.  A previous application for a petrol station at Coombend was refused on the basis that it would block the view from Clandown to Radstock and this would be the case with this application.

5.  There was a need to develop the infrastructure, and this was not included as part of the application.

6.  There was a need for an improved pedestrian access and a concern about an increase in parking on the highway.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The principle of development was agreed at outline stage including the number of dwellings and access.

2.  The Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking in the nearby area was still ongoing.  In terms of parking on site, this was in accordance with adopted standards.

3.  Unit 2 had two associated parking spaces. 

4.  An application for 10 houses was the trigger point for affordable housing.

5.  A watching brief for archaeology could not be included at the reserved matters stage. 

Cllr Eleanor Jackson confirmed that the application in relation to the petrol station at Coombend which was referred to in the local member’s statement had now been approved.

Cllr Tim Warren stressed the need for housing and that he was satisfied the flooding issue had been satisfactorily addressed.  He moved the officers’ recommendation to permit the application.  This was seconded by Cllr Toby Simon who stated that it would make a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The following items will be considered at 11am:

1.  24/01168/REG03 - Land To The Rear Of 89 -123, Englishcombe Lane, Southdown, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

The following items will be considered at 2pm:

2.  24/00523/FUL - Chalfont , Charlcombe Lane, Lansdown, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

3.  23/04243/OUT - Hartley Wood, King Lane, Clutton, Bristol

4.  23/02251/FUL - 48 Hillcrest, Pensford, Bristol

5.  24/01947/FUL - 21 Darlington Place, Bathwick, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

6.  24/00319/FUL - Town Mills, Mill Road, Radstock, 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.  24/01168/REG03 - Land To The Rear Of 89 -123, Englishcombe Lane, Southdown, Bath

The Case Officer introduced the report which considered an application for the erection of 16 supported living units (Use Class C3(b)) with associated

communal hub (to include ancillary carers accommodation), access,

landscaping and ancillary works.

He confirmed the officers’ recommendation that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The following public representations were received:

1.  Christopher Pound, objecting to the application.

2.  Aydin Zorlutuna, agent and Nick Plumley, B&NES Housing Enabling & Development Managersupporting the application.

Cllr Jess David raised the following points as the ward member:

1.  She shared concerns of many local residents about the suitability of the site for development due to the ecological value of the site; the drainage and land instability issues, and the narrow access to the site but acknowledged that the site was allocated for development in the Local Plan.

2.  She appreciated the efforts of the applicant to engage with local residents.

3.  There was a risk of flooding from a build-up of surface water and it was important for the sustainable drainage features to be inspected and maintained every three months.  Assurances were needed that this would happen.

4.  There was a concern about the proposed recycling/waste arrangements.

5.  There was insufficient parking on site which would lead to an increase of parking on Englishcombe Lane.

Cllr Steve Hedges raised the following points as an adjacent ward member:

1.  He was pleased that there was a lower number of dwellings proposed than in the previously approved scheme for the site.

2.  There were still concerns from local residents relating to the flood risk.

3.  He requested that heavy plant use be restricted from between 9am and 6pm during construction to reduce impact on local residents.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The waste collection plans had been analysed in detail.  To minimise ecological impact the on-site roads would be too light to accommodate waste collection vehicles.  Staff would take the bins to the collection point on Englishcombe Lane for collection.  There was a condition for a Waste Management Plan which set out the details and could be enforced if necessary.

2.  Each property would have an individual bin, but it was a worst-case scenario that 16 bins would be put out for collection at the same time, it was likely to be less based on previous experience of similar developments.  There would be recycling facilities within the bin store. 

3.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.