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.

A Vice Chairman was not required on this occasion.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Cllr Rob Appleyard – substitute Cllr Ian Gilchrist

Cllr Paul Crossley – substitute Cllr Dine Romero

Cllr Caroline Roberts – substitute Cllr Will Sandry

Cllr David Veale – substitute Cllr Liz Richardson

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

There was no urgent business.

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.

There were no items from Councillors or Co-Opted Members.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2018 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Group Manager (Development Management) on items 1, 2, 3, and 4 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 Nos. 1 and 2

Application Nos. 18/02499/FUL and 18/02500/LBA

Site Location: 32 – 33 Victoria Buildings, Westmoreland, Bath, BA2 3EH – Provision of new skittle alley, a new community room, provision of new accessible toilets, refurbishment of the public house and the provision of 9 apartments at the Belvoir Castle, Bath

The Case Officer reported on the applications and her recommendation for refusal.  She outlined the reasons for refusal and emphasised that members should attach considerable importance to the identified harm to the heritage assets.  The Case Officer advised that the ecology concerns had been resolved and this no longer was held as a reason for refusal.

Two local residents spoke against the applications.

The Agent spoke in favour of the applications.

Cllr Colin Blackburn, local ward member spoke in favour of the applications.  He stated that starter homes were badly needed in this area.  He also stressed the importance of retaining the Belvoir Castle pub as a heritage asset in this locality as it was a key facility in the centre of the community.

Cllr June Player, local ward member, spoke against the applications stating that she did not wish to lose the pub but felt that the current proposal would cause damage to the listed buildings at Park View.  She was concerned that there was no parking provision which would add to the existing congestion problems in the area.

The Case Officer then responded to questions from members as follows:

·  The pub toilets would be accessible but there would be stairs down to the skittle alley and garden.

·  It would not be possible to restrict the occupancy of the apartments as this was not an affordable housing application.

·  The Placemaking Plan set the parking level requirement for student accommodation at zero, however, this application was not for designated student accommodation, therefore the application did not meet minimum parking standards.

·  Surrounding buildings were 4 storeys high which was above the height of the proposed building.

·  The Highways Officer confirmed that Bath Spa Railway Station was 1.47km from the site and Oldfield Park Railway Station was 380m from the site.  The relevant parking requirement discount had been applied.

·  An assessment had to be made regarding overlooking, height and distance as there was nothing prescriptive in the policy or legislation.  The overbearing nature of the development was the main issue.

·  The skittle alley was constructed of bricks and rubble stone.  It was not listed in its own right but as part of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

RESOLVED to NOTEthe report.