Agenda item

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 item 7 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 4 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 16/03114/ERES

Site Location: Proposed Development Site, Roseberry Road, Twerton, Bath – Approval of Reserved Matters in relation to outline application 15/01932/EOUT (Phase 1 of the development comprising 171 flats, local needs shopping unit and associated development)

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to approve the application.

The registered speaker spoke in favour of the application.

In response to a question the Case Officer confirmed that the Section 106 agreement included a requirement for a marketing strategy and plan and also that the provision of a cycle strategy had been agreed at the outline stage.  She explained that the retail unit would cater for local needs and that 40 parking spaces would be provided.  The Section 106 Agreement also set out the requirements for affordable housing.

Councillor Jackson had some reservations about the height of the buildings and felt these could be overbearing.  The Case Officer confirmed that the height did not exceed that of the buildings at the Western Riverside development.  Councillor Jackson then moved that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.  This was seconded by Councillor Organ.

Councillor Crossley stated that this was a very good application which contained roofscape, variation, a number of balconies, underground car parking and a mix of units.  He welcomed the fact that it would provide a mixed community which included affordable housing.  There was a need for this type of housing in Bath and he welcomed the imaginative and diverse design.

Councillor Becker felt that the application should be rejected and a request made for a more aesthetically pleasing design.  He stated that this proposal did not follow the design principles required for Bath as a world heritage city.  The Placemaking Plan had not been followed and the proposal undermined and contradicted Palladian architecture.  He felt that the design could easily be improved to address these concerns at this key site and that the proposal as it stands was currently featureless and monotonous. 

Councillor Kew stated that he agreed with the comments made by Councillor Crossley.  He pointed out that the site was not within a conservation area and that the development would address the need for this type of housing in the area.  There were many good features within the design and the modern materials were acceptable.

Councillor Organ stated that this was a good use of a derelict site.

Councillor Appleyard stated that this was a good proposal and that he would support it.

The motion was then put to the vote and it was RESOLVED by 9 votes in favour and 1 against to APPROVE the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Item No’s 2 and 3

Application No’s. 16/01435/FUL and 16/01436/LBA

Site Location: Parking Area Rear of 4A York Place, London Road, Walcot, Bath – Erection of a building comprising 4 residential apartments and external alterations

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit the application.

The registered speaker spoke in favour of the application.

In response to a question the Case Officer confirmed that changes had been made to address Councillor Brett’s public safety concerns and a turning area for large vehicles would now be provided.

Councillor Jackson moved that planning permission and listed building consent be granted subject to conditions.  This was seconded by Councillor Kew who felt that this was a good use of the land.

The motion was then put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously to PERMIT planning permission and to GRANT listed building consent subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Item No. 4 and 5

Application No’s 15/04085/FUL and 15/04179/LBA

Site Location: Holly Farm, The Green, Farmborough – Erection of 2 new dwellings to the rear of the plot and conversion of existing barn and cowshed to create 2 dwellings with associated works and internal and external alterations (Resubmission)

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit the application.

In response to a question officers confirmed that this would be considered as infill rather than back garden development. 

Councillor Organ moved that consideration of the application be deferred pending a site visit due to the location close to the hazardous junction with the A39 and proximity to a school.  This was seconded by Councillor Kew.

Councillor Davis pointed out that traffic calming measures were already being considered for the area.

Councillor Crossley felt that there was no need for a site visit as all the information required was provided in the report.

The motion was put to the vote and there were 2 votes in favour and 8 votes against.  The motion was therefore LOST.

Councillor Jackson asked whether this was a sustainable location and queried whether there should be a contribution to bus services.  Officers stated that this was not considered necessary, however, a contribution could be dealt with via CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy).

Councillor Crossley moved that planning permission and listed building consent be granted subject to conditions.  He felt that this was a good scheme and that it would be advantageous to develop this land.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Jackson.

The motion was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously to PERMIT the application and to GRANT listed building consent subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

Item No. 6

Application No. 16/04284/FUL

Site Location: Farmborough Memorial Hall, Little Lane, Farmborough – Erection of community shop

The Chairman left the meeting while this application was considered having declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item due to being a member of Farmborough Parish Council who owned the land.  The Vice Chairman, Councillor Kew, then took the chair.

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit the application.

Councillor Organ moved that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the inclusion of a landscaping condition to ensure that the hedge was retained.  This was seconded by Councillor Appleyard.

The motion was then put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously to PERMIT the application subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional landscaping condition to ensure that the hedge is retained.

Councillor Sally Davis then resumed the chair.

Item No. 7

Application No. 16/03652/FUL

Site Location: Applegate Stables, Shockerwick Lane, Bathford, Bath, BA1 7LQ – Erection of additional livery stables and a rural workers accommodation unit

This application was withdrawn from the agenda.

Item No. 8

Application No. 16/04282/FUL

Site Location: 101 Wellsway, Keynsham, BS31 1HZ – Erection of an extension to form 2 one bedroom flats

The Case Officer reported on the application and her recommendation to permit the application.

The registered speaker spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Organ stressed that the extension should be consistent with the other houses in the terrace.  The Case Officer confirmed that a condition stated that the materials should match those existing.  It was also confirmed that the extension would contain bay windows to match the rest of the terrace.

Councillor Jackson asked whether there could be a similar development at the other end of the terrace to maintain symmetry.  The Case Officer stated that this would not be possible due to space constraints.

Councillor Organ moved that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and noted that highway safety would be improved by the development.  This was seconded by Councillor Kew.

The motion was then put to the vote and it was RESOLVED unanimously to PERMIT the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.