Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Chris Humphries (who was substituted by Cllr Leo Randall).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 31 August 2011.  (copy attached)

Resolved:

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 31 August 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 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 (acting on behalf of the Director of Resources) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 21 September 2011.  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.

Members of the public addressed the Committee as set out in Minute No 39 below.

There were no questions received from members of the public or members of the Council.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The following people spoke against the proposal:

Mrs Astrid Haydon, a local resident

Mr Mark Mullin, Treasurer of Osmond Fields & Rowbarrow Residents’ Association

Mr Tony Cannings, a local resident

The following people spoke in favour of the proposal:

The Revd. David Scrace, Vicar of Harnham

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 approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement being entered into with respect to the provision of certain mitigation measures and to conditions.  He also reported the receipt of two further letters of objection.

The Case Officer explained the relevance of the recent Hampton Park appeal decision which related to an application for 500 dwellings at Bishopdown. At its meeting on 16 February 2011, this Committee had refused planning permission, contrary to officer advice, based on the presumption that until the Core Strategy had been adopted, the development of the site would be contrary to current adopted Local Plan polices.  This scheme had very recently been the subject of a major Public Inquiry appeal and the Secretary of State had in the last few days had issued his decision to allow the appeal.

A site visit had taken place earlier that morning in respect of the application at Rowbarrow now under consideration, which had been attended by Cllr Mark Connolly, Cllr Christine Crisp, Cllr Andrew Davis, Cllr Peter Fuller, Cllr Charles Howard, Cllr Julian Johnson, Cllr Francis Morland, Cllr Stephen Petty, Cllr Leo Randall, Cllr Tony Trotman, Cllr Ian West and Cllr Fred Westmoreland.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding the planning application.

Members then heard the views of Cllr Brian Dalton, the local member who, whilst welcoming in general terms the provision of additional housing, did not consider that the site was suitable for the proposed level of development.  He was disappointed that there had not been an overall development plan in this area which had resulted in the granting of a number of planning permissions over several years without the provision of improved infrastructure usually provided under a Section 106 legal Agreement with large scale developments.  

Members of the Committee then considered the application and  the following points were made during the debate:-

·                There was a need to protect what was left of the gap between Salisbury and Britford.

·                Most of the objections received appeared to be about the loss of a green field site. These sites should be protected and priority should be given to development taking place on brown field sites wherever possible.

·                Proposed access arrangements for works vehicles to the site did not appear to be completely satisfactory and it was suggested that the applicant explore the possibility of using an access from the adjoining dairy.

·                The possibility be explored of securing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

To note that the next meeting is due to be held on Wednesday 19 October 2011 at Monkton Park, Chippenham.  

Resolved:

To note that the next meeting, due to be held on Wednesday 19 October 2011, would be cancelled due to insufficient business.

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 of business.