Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Simon Killane and Toby Sturgis.

Cllr Killane was substituted by Cllr Bill Douglas.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2012 were presented. It was,

Resolved:

To APPROVE as a true and correct record and sign the minutes.

To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Cllr Peter Doyle declared an interest in Minute Numbers 72a - Braeside Cottage, Box Hill - and 72b - Warren Business Park, Knockdown -as a member of the Cotswold Conservation Board. He declared he would participate in the debate and vote for each item with an open mind.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

There were no announcements.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

Members of the public who wish to speak either in favour or against an application or any other item on this agenda are asked to register in person no later than 5.50pm on the day of the meeting.

The Chairman will allow up to 3 speakers in favour and up to 3 speakers against an application and up to 3 speakers on any other item on this agenda. Each speaker will be given up to 3 minutes and invited to speak immediately prior to the item being considered. The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are detailed in the Council’s Planning Code of Good Practice.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution which excludes, in particular, questions on non-determined planning applications. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm on 01 July 2012. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

The Committee noted the rules on public participation.

An appeals update report is attached for information.

The Committee noted the contents of the appeals update.

Attention was drawn to the late list of observations provided at the meeting and attached to these minutes, in respect of applications 7a and 7b as listed in the agenda pack.

Public Participation

Mr David Hadfield, agent and applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer introduced a report which recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. The existing extension to the cottage was noted along a comparison with the original structure, and the design and materials of the proposed new extension was raised, with the key issues for consideration including the principle of the development in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the impact on the character and appearance of the area and the amenity of neighbouring properties. It was highlighted that parking arrangements would not be altered by the proposals.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers. Details on the graduated coloured cladding for the extensions was sought, and examples provided at the meeting. Members also sought details of the scale of the extension in proportion to the existing structure, including the existing extension.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee with their views, as detailed above.

The Local Member, Cllr Sheila Parker, then spoke in objection to the application.

A debate followed, where the impact on future amenity of the cottage with the reducing of the garden was discussed, and it was clarified that there is no policy minimum size for gardens, but could be a consideration. The Committee also discussed the balance between the attempt to improve upon the existing cottage with the visual impact upon the character and appearance of the AONB and the overall scale and design of the application, as well as choice of materials.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

To REFUSE planning permission for the following reason:

By reason of its design, scale, form, materials and detailing the proposed development is not in keeping with the host building and is considered to not preserve the natural beauty and openness of the landscape, designated part of the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The proposal is therefore considered to fail the requirements of policies C3, H8, NE1 and NE4 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011, as well as guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Public Participation

Mrs Charlotte Watkins spoke in objection to the application.

Mr David Pearce, agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer introduced a report which, modified by the late observations provided at the meeting, recommended that approval be granted, subject to conditions. It was noted that the application was retrospective, and that the key issues included the impact on the landscape and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the affect on the amenity of neighbouring properties.

Details were then provided on the scale and number of solar panels on the application site, and it was stated that a landscaping planting plan to screen views had now been produced. It was noted that the County Landscape Officer raised no objection subject to the submission of a landscaping planting plan, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) broadly concurring with those comments.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers. Potential limits on the number of solar panels on site was raised, and the adequacy of the proposed screening of trees was discussed in relation to the nearest residential property.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee with their views, as detailed above.

A debate followed, where the distance from the nearest residential properties to the site in conjunction with the adjoining presence of the agricultural and commercial business park and the resulting slight impact of the application was discussed. The specifics of the proposed landscaping planting plan were also raised.

After debate, it was,

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be GRANTED for the following reason:

The development is considered to be acceptable in principle and, subject to additional planting for mitigation and enhancement purposes, on balance it is considered that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on the landscape and natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Beauty nor would unduly harm the amenities of neighbouring dwellings. As such the proposal  would generally accord with policies C1, C3, NE4, NE15 and NE16 of the North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.   

And Subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby approved shall be discontinued and the land restored to its former condition on or before 25 years from the date of this permission in accordance with a scheme for the decommissioning and restoration of the development site, details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such details shall include how the land will be restored back to full agricultural use upon the development no longer being in operation or upon the expiry of 25 years from the date of this planning permission, whichever is the sooner. The decommissioning and restoration of the development site shall be carried out in complete accordance with the scheme so agreed.

REASON:  Reason: In the interests of amenity and the finite operation of this type of development and to ensure that upon the development no longer being in use, the complete removal of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72b

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be taken as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.