Agenda item

Public Participation:

•      Mr Leslie, member of St Francis Church, spoke in support of the application

•      Mr Taylor, Vicar of St Francis Church, spoke in support of the application

The Area Team Leader introduced the report which recommended refusal.  He explained that the planning application was for an extension to St Francis Church. 

Members of the Committee were informed that the proposed extension to the south side of the church would significantly harm the character of the listed building, and it was not considered that the public benefits arising from the proposal outweighed this harm when more acceptable alternatives were available.  The Area Team Leader felt that the proposal would be contrary to Local Plan Policy CN3 (as saved within the adopted South Wiltshire Core Strategy) and guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework – Chapter 12.

Members then raised a number of technical issues in relation to the materials used for the roof and the walls of the extension.

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

The local member, Councillor Mary Douglas, then spoke to the application. In particular she explained that there were no letters of objection, all the neighbours were supportive of the application and spoke about the public benefit of approving the extension.  She stated that in accordance with the NFFP the functionality of the church with its extension outweighed the architectural value of the listed building.

The Committee then considered the application and debated a number of issues. A concern was raised that the extension was not in keeping with the design of the listed building, however it was understood that the community benefit of the extension was an factor in making a decision.

Resolved:

That planning permission be granted for the application contrary to officers recommendation for the following reason –

The proposed single storey extension by reason of it’s positioning size and appearance is considered to be an acceptable form of development fulfilling as it does the needs of the church and as such it is considered that the community benefits derived from the development outweigh any potential harm the extension may do to the listed building and therefore the proposal is considered to comply with local plan policy CN3 (as saved within the adopted South Wiltshire Core Strategy) and relevant guidance contained within the NPPF.

Subject to the following conditions:

1)    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2)    The development shall only be undertaken in accordance with the following approved plans:

Plan Ref….5255-047-P2...             Dated….27.03.13….

Plan Ref….5255-049-P2...            Dated….27.03.13….

Plan Ref….5255-053-P1...            Dated….27.03.13….

Plan Ref….5255-057-P3...            Dated….27.03.13….

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt.

3)    The external brickwork for the development hereby permitted shall be constructed to match that of the existing building in terms of its colour, texture, face bond, size, jointing and pointing.

Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the listed building.

4)    No development shall commence on site until a sample panel of brickwork, not less than 1 metre square, has been constructed on site, inspected and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The panel shall then be left in position for comparison whilst the development is carried out. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved sample.

Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the listed building.