Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Charles Howard, Cllr Chris Humphries and Cllr Mark Packard.

Cllr Mark Packard was substituted by Cllr John Knight.

Cllr John Noeken was present as Cabinet Member for Resources.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2011. (copy attached)

Resolved:

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2011.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no Chairman’s 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 10.20am 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 (acting on behalf of the Director of Resources) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 30 March 2011. Please contact the officer named on the first page 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.

There were no members of the public present or Councillors’ questions.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application. He introduced the report which recommended that the planning application be granted, subject to conditions.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask questions during which concern was expressed at the level of car parking places proposed.  The Case Officer explained that the proposals provided for an increased level of parking for disabled people at the front of County Hall and that the amount of general parking provision would remain unchanged from the existing amount.  It was noted that the planning application complied with the standards for car parking provision and met the planning criteria.

Resolved:

To grant planning permission for the following reasons and subject to the conditions set out below:-

Reasons

The proposed development is in accordance with Council policy and government guidance and there is no reason why permission should not be granted.

The proposals represent a significant improvement to the overall appearance of the building, will enhance the street scene and add to the vitality of this part of the town centre. There will be no harm to neighbouring amenity or any other interests of acknowledged importance. The refurbished offices will ensure that the building responds positively to contemporary working methods and the relocation of the library and registry office will benefit the community.

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       No development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

          REASON: In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

          West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: C31a.

3       There shall be no vehicular access to or from the existing pedestrian and cycle only westerly access point onto Bythesea Road.

          REASON: In the interests of highway safety to avoid unnecessary vehicular turning movement onto and off Bythesea Road near an existing all movements junction which adequately caters with all movements to and from County Hall.

4       The proposals contained within the County Halll Re-Modelling, Wiltshire Council, Arts Strategy document dated February 2011 shall be carried out in accordance with the timetable attached at Appendix II, and further programme details for the installation of the work shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to their installation in the building.

          REASON:  In the interests of public amenity and the arts.

          POLICY:  West Wiltshire District Plan - 1st Alteration 2004 – Policy I2.

5       The recommendations contained within the BREEAM Ecology Report LE1-LE6  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered as a matter of urgency.  Urgent items of a confidential nature may be considered under Part II of this agenda.

There were no urgent items.