Agenda and minutes

W/10/03031/FUL – Application to renew planning permission W/05/00744/FUL to allow time to submit reserved matters pursuant to reference 98/01149/OUT - Land West Of Biss Farm West Ashton Road West Ashton Wiltshire

Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight declared a personal interest as members of Trowbridge Town Council, and both members of the Town Council Development Committee. This application had not been considered by Trowbridge Town Council but had been previously discussed. Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight gave their assurance that they would consider the application with an open mind.

W/10/02808/OUT – Proposed extension and conversion of existing house into 7 dwellings - Wayside 62 Bradley Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 0QY

Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight declared a personal interest as members of Trowbridge Town Council, and both members of the Town Council Development Committee. Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight gave their assurance that they would consider the application with an open mind.

W/10/03650/FUL – Part retrospective application for extensions to dwelling , replacement garage with first floor storage area and erection of 2 metre boundary wall - 112 Beanacre Wiltshire SN12 7PZ 

Councillor Stephen Petty declared a personal interest as a member of Melksham Without Parish Council, however he is not a member of the Parish Council Planning Committee. Councillor Stephen Petty gave his assurance that he would consider the application with an open mind.

The Chairman welcomed all present. He then explained the rules of public participation and the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

The Chairman reported receipt of a question from Councillor Ernie Clark which sought clarification on how award costs associated with appeals were met. A copy of the question and the Chairman’s response is appended to these minutes.

In posing a supplementary question Councillor Clark questioned how the response had been phrased. He was concerned that it seemed to have been phrased in such a way as to try and frighten the Committee from ever taking a decision that might go to appeal.

The Chairman reassured Councillor Clark that the response was meant to be detailed not alarmist. The Chairman agreed to provide Councillor Clark with a written response to his supplementary question.

Proposed extension and conversion of existing house into 7 dwellings - Wayside 62 Bradley Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 0QY.

Public Participation:

-       Mr John Gibbs spoke in objection to the application.

Officers introduced the report which sought approval and drew the Committee’s attention to the late list which included a further condition to be added should the application be approved.

The Highway Officers answered members of the Committee’s questions including ease of access and exit from the site, the impact on traffic and additional pressure on traffic at the already problematic Holbrook junction and reassured the Committee that the conditions included in the application addressed those issues adequately.

However members of the Committee could not be satisfied that the conditions in place satisfactorily addressed their concerns over the scale of the development, its visual impact, and the loss of amenities for neighbouring dwellings.

Resolved

That planning permission be REFUSED

For the following reasons:

The proposal by reason of the scale of development and its visual impact, would be out of character with the spatial form of the surrounding area, harmful to the streetscene and would be likely to result in loss of amenity to the occupiers of the neighbouring dwellings. This would be contrary to policies H1, H24, C31a and C38 of the West Wiltshire District Plan – 1st Alteration 2004 and the principles contained within the Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance 2004 and Residential Design Guide 2005.

Part retrospective application for extensions to dwelling , replacement garage with first floor storage area and erection of 2 metre boundary wall - 112 Beanacre Wiltshire SN12 7PZ.

Public Participation

-       Mr Chris Hall spoke in objection to the application

-       Mr Alvin Howard, architect, spoke in support of the application

-       Mr Paul Londors spoke in support of the application

Officers introduced the report which sought refusal and drew the Committee’s attention to the late list which contained additional comments.

During the ensuing debate members of the Committee expressed concerns over the scale and size of the extensions and the loss of light to the neighbouring dwelling, although it was noted that neighbouring dwellings seemed to have also been extended to a similar or larger size.

Resolved

That planning permission be REFUSED

For the following reasons:

The proposed two storey extension, replacing the existing single garage, by reason of its position, mass, bulk and height would dominate and overshadow the neighbouring property (111b Beanacre) by reason of a detrimental loss of light to habitable rooms and dominating the amenity space associated with the neighbouring property resulting in detrimental harm to the amenities of 111b Beanacre contrary to the provisions of policy C38 of the West Wiltshire District Plan First Alterations 2004 and the guidance contained within the SPG for House Alterations and Extensions.

The Planning Appeals Update Report for December 2010 was received.

Officers informed the Committee that the Kingston Mills project had received a national award for local regeneration and renewal. Members of the Committee commended Mr Gerald Milward-Oliver (Bradford on Avon and District Community Development Trust Chief Executive), the Princes Trust and all involved for their commitment to the project.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Officers involved with the project.

Resolved:

To note the Planning Appeals Update Report for December 2010.