Agenda item

Variation of condition 7 of planning permission 13/04090/FUL to allow the use of the garden at Arundell's for a limited number of dedicated events and activities

Prof. Ron Johnston spoke in objection to the application.

Mrs T Smith spoke in objection to the application.

Anne Waddington spoke in objection to the application.

Gordon MacDougal spoke in support to the application.

Paul Oakley spoke in support to the application.

Andrew Cutler spoke in support to the application.

Cllr Mark Timbrell spoke on behalf of the City Council in support to the application.

The Planning Officer presented his report to the Committee which recommended that permission be grantedsubject to conditions.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. A question was asked if a private householder was to undertake a number of events beyond what you would normally expect from a private household and whether it would require consent.

An item of late correspondence was circulated at the meeting.

The Local Member, Cllr Ian Tomes, spoke in objection to the application. A condition was raised in regards to the adverse impact on the amenities of neighbouring residents. Relevant planning history was stated, as well as previous conditions that had been applied. The conditions discussed the protection of neighbouring amenities, including restrictions on events and opening times. Cllr Tomes discussed the potential for disturbances from arranging events, as well as the actual events themselves. Cllr Tomes stated that nothing had changed from when these conditions had been implemented and it was necessary to protect the very special nature of the close.

Members debated the application. The timings of events were discussed and the frequency of events per week was raised. The Chairman stated that events would only be realistic in April to October. The logistics of holding events was discussed, including transporting portaloos.  Members debated the impact on neighbouring amenities. Members debated the need to double the number of outside events. Members discussed the neighbouring building to Arundells already carrying out events, as does the Cathedral. The relevance and value of Highways objections was discussed. The unique setting was discussed and the need to promote more people enjoying the area was highlighted, however, conditions in relation to amplified music and public speaking were debated.

A condition in regards to an event indoors coinciding with an event outdoors was discussed. Forty-eight events a year were suggested by some Members to be too many and the potential use of the gardens was discussed. The historic value of the property was discussed, as well as the need to make it financially viable. The number of events being held at neighbouring venues was clarified. The impact on local residents and the changing nature of the close was discussed. The Members discussed the potential for varying the conditions to make the property more commercially successful. Potential limitations to the number of outside events and operating hours were raised – the Chairman clarified the need to consider the application that was on the table.

Resolved:

To refuse planning permission for the following reasons:

The proposed variation of Condition 7 of planning permission 13/04090/FUL to allow the use of the garden at Arundell’s for a limited number of dedicated events and activities would, by reason of the noise and disturbance associated with the significant number of proposed additional events outside of the building (including disturbance from vehicular movements to and from the site and the servicing of events), taking account of the characteristics of the site and the local context, and having regard to the amenities of existing nearby occupiers, have an undue adverse impact on the amenities of nearby residents of The Close, and is likely to be detrimental to the special tranquil character of the area.

In these respects, it is considered the proposed variation of Condition 7 of planning permission 13/04090/FUL would be discordant with Core Policy CP57 of the adopted Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Cllr Brian Dalton and Cllr George Jeans abstained.