Agenda item

The Committee considered

·  A report by the Development Manager on various applications for planning permission etc

·  Oral statements by members of the public etc, the Speakers List being attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes

·  An Update Report by the Development Manager on Item Nos. 1-3, 5 and 6, a copy of which is attached as Appendix 3 to these Minutes

RESOLVED that, in accordance with their delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the Decisions List attached as Appendix 4 to these Minutes

Items 1&2 Cross Keys Inn, Midford Road, Combe Down, Bath – (1) Erection of single storey single dwelling incorporating the conversion of existing listed outbuilding, boundary walls, parking and garden; and (2) internal and external alterations to existing listed outbuilding as part of development of self-build single storey single building – The Case Officer reported on these applications and his recommendations to grant permission/consent with conditions. The Update Report included a reference to a Decision Taking Statement to be added to the Recommendations if approved.

The applicant made a statement in favour of the proposal.

Councillor Nigel Roberts considered that the key point of the application was its effect on the Cross Keys Inn which was a listed building. He felt that this was minimal as the proposal was low level. He supported the Officer’s recommendations and moved accordingly. This was seconded by Councillor Doug Nicol.

Members debated the motions, It was considered that the proposal would enhance the area. The motions were put to the vote and were carried unanimously.

Item 3 Church Hall, School Lane, Batheaston, Bath – Erection of a new single storey village hall building including multi-use main hall, activity rooms, kitchen, toilets and stores and associated external works to provide accessible access to the hall and fields following demolition of the existing Church Hall (Resubmission) – The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation to grant permission with conditions. She referred to the Update Report which added a further Condition relating to a Construction Management Plan and an amendment to Condition 7. She also made reference to a letter from solicitors acting for objectors as regards hours of operation.

The public speakers made their statements on the application.

Councillor Martin Veal read a statement provided by Ward Councillor Gabriel Batt and referred to a letter to Councillor Batt supporting the proposal. He clarified that, whilst he had been lobbied by both sides of the debate, and he was a member of the local theatre group and an occasional user of the existing hall, this did not prejudice his ability to vote on the application. He spoke in favour of the proposal which was to be built on the existing site of the Hall close to the centre of the village and was of a sympathetic design. He stated that it was a desperately needed facility and was supported by the community and the Ward Councillors. He therefore moved the Officer recommendation to grant permission with conditions which was seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman. Councillor Veal then presented a Petition signed by 282 people supporting the application.

Members debated the motion and generally spoke in favour of the application. In response to queries by the Chair, the Team Leader – Development Management stated that there was a condition which limited the use of the hall to certain hours. This type of condition was commonly used and there were no significant changes to the proposal on which further consultation would have been required.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried, 11 voting in favour and 1 against.

(Notes: (1) Councillor Malcolm Lees was absent for the voting on this application; and (2) there then followed an adjournment at 5.10pm for approximately 10 minutes)

Item 4 Parcel 7100, Woollard Lane, Whitchurch – Removal of Condition 1 attached to planning permission 10/03798/FUL (Change of use of land (retrospective) to a small private gypsy site to site 1 mobile home, 1 touring caravan and associated ancillary development including the construction of a new access) - The Case Officer reported on this application and her recommendation to grant permission with conditions.

The public speakers made their statements on the application.

Councillor Bryan Organ raised queries concerning the 3 year temporary permission previously granted and the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD). The Team Leader – Development Management responded that the timescale of the DPD had slipped and it was now likely to be December 2016. He explained the difference between a temporary and a permanent permission in this instance. This pitch would not prejudice the Council’s strategy as regards gypsy and traveller site provision.

Councillor Liz Hardman considered that very special circumstances needed to be demonstrated for inappropriate development in the Green Belt. In this case, there were the personal circumstances of the applicant and his family and the site was in a sustainable location for a gypsy site. She therefore moved the Officer recommendation to grant permission with conditions which was seconded by Councillor Eleanor Jackson.

The motion was debated by Members. Issues were considered regarding the DPD, siting in the Green Belt, other gypsy sites, the needs of the applicant etc. The Team Leader – Development Management responded to some of the questions about some of these issues. After a thorough debate, the Chair expressed some concerns but supported the Officer recommendation based on very special circumstances. He put the motion to the vote.

Voting: 11 in favour and 1 against with 1 abstention. Motion carried.

Item 5 Candywood Leys, Meadow Lane, Bathampton, Bath – Stationing of 1 mobile home for residential use by 1 traveller family (Retrospective) – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to grant permission with conditions. The Update Report made a very small amendment to the wording of Condition 2.

The public speakers made their statements on the application.

Councillor Martin Veal read a statement provided by Ward Councillor Geoff Ward who supported the proposal. He spoke in favour of the applications based on the very special circumstances of the applicant and therefore moved the Officer recommendation to grant permission with conditions and additionally that, if the applicant leaves the site, the land should be returned to Green Belt and remedial work be undertaken to return it to its previous state. The motion was seconded by Councillor Malcolm Lees.

Members debated the motion and asked questions to which Officers responded. Issues were discussed relating to a temporary permission, agricultural use of the site, the fact that this is a retrospective application, the type of dwelling proposed and the personal circumstances of the applicant. After a thorough debate but with a little dissension, it was generally felt that the personal circumstances of the applicant tipped the balance in favour of the application being approved.

The Chair summed up the debate and put the motion to the vote. Voting: 8 in favour and 2 against with 3 abstentions. Motion carried.

Item 6 Church Farm Barn, Washing Pound Lane, Whitchurch – Repair and rebuilding of existing dilapidated workshop/outbuilding to provide new one and a half storey dwelling with associated engineering works, access, car parking area and garden area (Resubmission of 13/03692/FUL) – The Case Officer reported on this application and his recommendation to refuse permission.

The Applicant’s Agent made a statement in favour of the application.

Councillor Nigel Roberts could not support the application for the reasons cited and moved the Officer recommendation to refuse permission which was seconded by Councillor Malcolm Lees.

Members briefly debated the motion. After a brief discussion, the motion was put to the vote and was carried, 11 voting in favour and 0 against with 2 abstentions.

Item 7 Street Record, Midford Road, Combe Down, Bath – Display of internally illuminated poster cabinets of proposed advertisements in bus shelter serving the No 11 Foxhill - Bathford route to be located along Midford Road – The Planning Officer reported on this application and the recommendation to grant consent with conditions.

The public speakers made their statements on the application which was followed by a statement by the Ward Councillor Neil Butters who spoke against the application.

Members discussed the proposal. Issues were raised regarding the level of illumination of the poster and times of operation. The Officer advised that a Condition could be added to cover these items.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson considered that the proposal would not cause any significant problems and moved that delegated authority be given to the Officers to grant consent subject to the conditions recommended and appropriate condition(s) regarding lighting (at a level acceptable to Officers) and times of operation. This was seconded by Councillor Liz Hardman.

After a brief debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried, 11 voting in favour and 1 against with 1 abstention.

(Note: This application was taken earlier in the meeting after Items 1 and 2 above)