Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Cllr Paul Crossley, the Chair asked for nominations for a vice-chair to be elected for the duration of the meeting.

RESOLVED that Cllr Ian Halsall be elected as vice-chair for the meeting.

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 Cllr Paul Crossley.  Cllr John Leach was in attendance as a substitute.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Fiona Gourley.  Cllr Ruth Malloy was in attendance as substitute.

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 Ball declared an interest in item 2 on the main plans list - 25/02460/FUL - St Michael's Doctors Surgery, Walwyn Close, Twerton, Bath as a registered patient at the surgery, and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of that 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 informed the meeting of the process for public speakers to address the Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 30 July 2025 as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2025 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

1.  25/01634/PIP - Land Adjacent To Greystones, Ashgrove, Peasedown St John, Bath

2.  25/02460/FUL - St Michael's Doctors Surgery, Walwyn Close, Twerton, 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.  25/01634/PIP - Land Adjacent To Greystones, Ashgrove, Peasedown St John, Bath

The Planning Officer introduced the report which considered a permission in principle application for an infill residential development of a minimum of

3 and a maximum of 5 dwellings.

He outlined the status in relation to green belt/grey belt as follows:

1.  The application site was not found to strongly contribute to the green belt purposes (a), (b),or (d) and could be considered to be grey belt land.

2.  The Local Planning Authority did not currently have a 5-year housing land supply, and the application site was found to be a sustainable location.

3.  As such, the proposal could be considered appropriate development in the green belt, compliant with paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

He confirmed the officers’ recommendation that permission in principle be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report. 

The following public representation was received:

1.  John Rooney, agent, supporting the application.

Cllr Karen Walker was unable to attend the meeting as ward member and a statement was read on her behalf as summarised below:

1.  She considered the application site to be in the green belt and therefore should not be developed as there were no “very special circumstances”.

2.  She referred to the previous application on the site which was refused by the Council and dismissed by the Planning Inspector on appeal, due to the harm to the openness and inappropriateness of the development in the green belt.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed:

1.  In terms of the proposed number of dwellings, if the Committee considered a particular number within the range of 3-5 to be unacceptable, there was an option to defer to seek an amendment to the description.  However, this would require a re-consultation and an amended assessment of the application.  If the Committee did not consider the range of 3-5 to be acceptable, it could refuse the application.

2.  The number of bedrooms would be considered as part of the technical details application.

3.  In terms of the agricultural land grading, the land was graded as 3.  It was not known if this was 3a or 3b as the applicant was not required to provide this information for the permission in principle application.  The field was currently not being used for an agricultural purpose.  As to the possibility of the land being grade 3a, which was designated as “best and most versatile land” in NPPF, this was a material factor, but not a reason for refusal in itself  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

In noting the report, it was requested that further details of appeal decisions in relation to application determined by Planning Committee be circulated to members as a matter of course. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.