Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2015.

Resolved

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2015.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no 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 no later than 5pm on 30 July 2015. 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.

The rules on public participation were noted. There were no questions submitted.

To receive details of the completed and pending appeals.

None.

To consider and determine the following planning applications.

Public Participation

Margaret Taylor spoke in objection to the application.

Ross Hudson spoke in objection to the application.

Rebecca McAllister spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Judy Rose spoke in objection to the application on behalf of Devizes Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Cllr Chris Callow spoke in objection to the application on behalf of Roundway Parish Council.

The Area Development Manager introduced the item which recommended that permission be delegated to the Area Development Manager for approval subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 agreement including the provision of 37 affordable homes, contributions towards surface upgrades of the Kennet & Avon canal towpath and towards surface upgrades of the Quakers Walk footpath.

An item of late correspondence was circulated. The item was an update from the Education Team at Wiltshire Council containing the most recent data regarding birth rates in Devizes. Birth rates in Devizes were dropping, and there was no recognised need to expand Trinity Primary School. As a result of this the application would no longer be required to contribute towards an expansion of Trinity Primary School within the Section 106 agreement.

Key issues were noted as including whether the proposal represents a sustainable form of development for which planning permission ought to be granted.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Potential issues resulting from sewage problems were noted as being addressed through a condition which would prevent development from commencing until a scheme was put in place to address this.

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

The unitary division member, Cllr Laura Mayes, then spoke to the application. Concern was expressed over a lack of green space within the proposed development, and it was noted that the play area was included within the buffer zone. Traffic was explained as being an issue, with particular reference to London Road.

A debate followed where Core Policy 2 was considered. Concern over the impact on traffic was discussed with note to London Road junction. It was noted that the report assumed a 10% increase in journey times at peak hours during evenings, although the impact was noted as reduced when compared with the traffic anticipated from developments already granted permission on the site. The possible inclusion of an informative which would urge another look at traffic issues in the area was considered.

The impact of the Devizes Neighbourhood Plan and it’s relation to possible development on the site was discussed.

At the conclusion of the debate it was;

Resolved

To delegate outline planning permission to the Area Development Manager for approval subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 agreement covering:

-       An upgrade of the surface of the canal towpath.

-       An upgrade to the surface of the Quakers Walk footpath.

-       The provision of 37 affordable homes.

-       The submission of a Full Travel Plan based on the submitted outline Travel Plan,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Public Participation

David Snape, representing East Kennett, spoke in objection to the application.

John Peck spoke in support of the application.

Stella Goodwin spoke in support of the application.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the item which recommended that the application be granted planning permission subject to conditions.

An item of late correspondence was circulated. The item was a response from the application’s agent to late representation from the Parish Council. The response was read out to the Committee and those present.

Key issues were noted as including the consideration of the applicant’s fall-back position, issues of noise and safety, and the issue of setting.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. It was clarified that the figure of 28 days came from government legislation which allows landowners to use land for temporary events up to 28 days each calendar year. It was explained that the fall-back position meant that if the application was refused the applicant could still use the land for shooting for up to 28 days per year. The definition of recreational shooting was noted as shooting for non-agricultural purposes.

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

The unitary division member, Cllr Jemima Milton, spoke to the application. The issue of noise from gunshots reverberating through the bowl-shaped landscape in East Kennett was noted. Cllr Milton explained that a way to ensure shooting only took place once a month was necessary. Concern as expressed over the amount of shells discharged per shoot, as one figure estimated it to be 10,000.

A debate followed where the number of days a year the site would be used for shooting, and the number shots fired per shoot was discussed. The fall-back position for the applicant was considered along with possible conversation between the Public Protection Officer, the applicant, and the community. The site’s location near a world heritage site was also considered.

At the conclusion of debate it was;

Resolved

To grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.       The land edged in red on drawing No. SC 1096 - 02 Location Plan shall not be used for shooting for more than 28 days in any 1 calendar year - the calendar year running from the 1st January to the 31st December. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of days used for shooting in the calendar year 2015 shall not exceed 28.

REASON: In the interest of the protection of the amenities of the surrounding area, notably, the impact of noise on nearby residents and people enjoying the nearby recreational routes in the AONB.

2.       Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), there shall be no recreational shooting on the land edged in blue on drawing No. SC 1096 - 02 Location Plan.

REASON: In the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be taken as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.