Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies were received from:

Cllr Nick Fogg

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 08 October 2015.

Resolved

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 08 October 2015.

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

None.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

It was announced that application 15/07022/FUL had been deferred at the request of the applicant  and would be considered by the Council at a later date.

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 03 December 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.

None.

To receive details of the completed and pending appeals.

None.

To consider and determine the following planning applications.

6 new single storey dwellings and associated parking and access from Silverlands Road (Affordable rent dwellings for the elderly, provided by Wiltshire Council).

Public Participation

None.

The Area Development Manager  introduced the report which recommended that the application be approved subject to the Council signing a Unilateral Agreement to ensure the dwellings are delivered as affordable units and retained as such.

Key issues were noted as including principle of development; need for affordable housing; loss of agricultural land; design, layout and impact on residential amenity; visual Impact; and the impact on highway safety.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. It was asked if the dwellings would be built with ramps, wide doors, and other disability features. Specific comments could not be given on the dwelling’s specifications, but it was noted that there were grants available to make the homes more accessible if required.

The divisional member, Cllr Anna Cuthbert, spoke in support of the application. Cllr Cuthbert explained that the majority of residents supported the application as an opportunity for Rowde to provide affordable housing for the elderly. It was noted that the development would free up homes for families. Concerns from residents related to potential parking issues with the local school. She was  working with the Parish Council and the school to address these.

A debate followed concerning whether  potential age limitations should be  included in conditions  if the application was approved. It was discussed whether this would exclude people outside of the age limits who could might otherwise have a genuine need for the dwellings.

Resolved

To grant planning permission subject to the Council signing a Unilateral Agreement to ensure the dwellings are delivered as affordable units and retained as such. 

Recommendations:

Erection of new general purpose building to be used as a learning centre, office and storage space and creation of new access and parking area.

This item had been deferred for consideration by the Council at a later date.

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

None.