Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2011. (copy herewith).

Resolved:

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2011.

Cllr Peter Colmer declared a personal interest in Minute No 39 (a) – Application No 10/03993/FUL – Roundhouse Farm Outbuildings, Marston Meysey, SN6 6LL – Change of Use to Storage and Distribution, because:-

(i)            he represented Wiltshire Council on the Cotswold Water Park Joint Committee, and

(ii)          he chaired meetings of the Roundhouse Farm Liaison Group.

He stated that he would take part in the debate on this application and vote.

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. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above (acting on behalf of the Director of Resources) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 13 April 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.

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.

An appeals update report is attached for information.

The Committee received and noted a report setting out details of:-

(i)            Forthcoming hearings and public inquiries between 6 April and 31 July 2011.

(ii)          Planning appeals received between 17 March and 6 April 2011.

(iii)         Planning appeals decided between 17 March and 6 April 2011.

The following people spoke against the proposal:

Mrs Tracey Coleman, a local resident

Mrs Anne Henshaw, representing The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)

Mr Anthony Murison, a resident with a local interest

Cllr Andrew Brand, Chairman of Marston Meysey Parish Meeting

The following people spoke in favour of the proposal:

Mr Barry Butchart, agent

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  She introduced the report which recommended that the application be granted subject to conditions.  She also drew Members’ attention to the late items.

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.

After discussion,

Resolved:

To refuse planning permission for the following reasons:-

1.            The site is in a rural location remote from services and not well served by public transport.  The proposal would therefore generate significant additional journeys by private car, contrary to Policies DP5 and DP14 of the adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan 2016, Policies C1, C3 and BD6 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local 2011 and supporting guidance contained within PPS7 and PPG13, which seek to reduce the growth in the length and number of motorised journeys.

2.            The building subject to this application is in a generally poor condition and not in sympathy with the rural character of this part of the countryside.  The continuation and re-use of the building is therefore considered not to respect the local character, distinctiveness and setting of the area contrary to the requirements of Policies C3 and BD6 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

3.            The proposed use of this building of significant scale is likely to result in the increased use of a substandard access and increase vehicular movements across a public right of way through the site with a resulting prejudicial effect upon highway and pedestrian safety.  As such, the proposal is considered to be contrary to the provisions of Policies C3 and BD6 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  She introduced the report which recommended that the application be delegated to officers to negotiate the option of approval, following the submission and assessment of additional satisfactory information and amended plans but that if agreement with the applicant could not be reached, then the application be refused. 

The Case Officer explained that the application had been deferred from the last meeting in order to obtain highway views on conditions proposed by the Committee. She also drew Members’ attention to the late items in which the Highways Officer confirmed that the applicant had shown an improved internal access and parking arrangement and had provided a widened access to allow two vehicles to pass.  However, the visibility at the access was still substandard and the Highways Officer did not consider that there were any conditions which could be imposed which could adequately address the highway concerns.  The Case Officer pointed out that these highway comments were based on the application for four stables.  However, the applicant had since agreed to a reduction in the scale of the proposals with a reduced scheme of two stables and one tack room, thus providing accommodation for a maximum of two horses.

After discussion,

Resolved:

To delegate the Area Development Manager to negotiate the option of approval, following the submission and assessment of additional satisfactory information and amended plans but that if agreement with the applicant could not be reached, then the application be refused. 

The following people spoke against the proposal:

Mr Alan Williams, ING Real Estate

Mr Rob Perks, President of Chippenham Chamber of Commerce

Mr John Clark, Chairman of Chippenham Vision Board

Cllr Doris Lendon, representing Chippenham Without Parish Council

The following person spoke in favour of the proposal:

Mr Craig Blatchford, the agent

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  She introduced the report which recommended that the application be granted subject to conditions.  She also drew Members’ attention to the late items.

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.

Resolved:

To defer consideration of the application to enable officer consideration of the recent retail decisions at Peterborough and Gateshead referred to in the additional information and to report back to the Committee.

The following person spoke in favour of the proposal:

Mr Mike Narbett, the agent

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the applications.  She introduced the report which recommended that the applications be refused.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received a statement from a member of the public as detailed above, expressing his views regarding the planning application.

Members heard the views of Cllr Carole Soden, the local member, in support of the applications. 

After discussion,

Resolved:

To delegate the Area Development Manager to issue:-

(1)          Planning permission, subject to suitable conditions.

REASON

The proposed works will not lead to substantial or disproportionate harm to the significance of this heritage asset and will thereby preserve the historic interest of the listed building to the public benefit in accordance with PPS5 and Policies C3 and HE4 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

(2)          Listed building consent, subject to suitable conditions.

REASON

The proposed works will not lead to substantial or disproportionate harm to the significance of this heritage asset and will thereby preserve the historic interest of the listed building to the public benefit in accordance with PPS5 and Policies C3 and HE4 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

The following person spoke in favour of the proposal:

Mr Gary Llewellyn, the agent

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  She introduced the report which recommended that the application be delegated to the Area Development Manager for planning permission to be granted, subject to all parties entering into a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and subject to conditions.  She also drew Members’ attention to the late items.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received a statement from a member of the public as detailed above, expressing his views regarding the planning application.

Members heard the views of Cllr Jacqueline Lay, the local member, who explained her objections to the proposal. 

After discussion,

Resolved:

Subject to all parties entering into a legal agreement under Section 106 of The Town & Country Planning Act 1990 in respect of the provision of a financial contribution towards public open space, as required by Policy CF3 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011, to grant planning permissionfor the following reason:

Subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions, the proposed development of seven new dwellings on this site is considered to be acceptable in terms of its scale, layout, appearance and means of access in the context of the surrounding locality.  In addition, the proposal is not considered to result in an unacceptable impact upon residential amenity of surrounding occupiers.  In this way the proposed development is considered to comply with the provisions of policies C3 and H3 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained within PPS3 Housing.

Subject to the following 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. The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the submitted plans and documents listed below. No variation from the approved plans should be made without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Amendments may require the submission of a further application.

Plans

Site location plan – dated 26^th November 2010

Site layout (55/PD/001A) – dated 4^th February 2011

Site layout existing (55/PD/010) – dated 26^th November 2010

Landscape proposals (PN/LP/070) - dated 4^th February 2011

Visibility splay drawing (55/PD/012) – dated 26^th November 2010

Street scenes (55/PD/009A) – dated 4^th February 2011

Site sections (55/PD/008A) – dated 4^th February 2011

Plots 1 & 2 plans and elevations (55/PD/002A) - dated 4^th February 2011

Plots 3 plans and elevations (55/PD/003A) - dated 4^th February 2011

Plots 4 & 5 plans and elevations (55/PD/004A) - dated 4^th February 2011

Plot 6 plans and elevations (55/PD/005A) - dated 4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39e

The following people spoke in favour of the proposal:

Miss Jaquiline Pembroke, the agent

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  She introduced the report which recommended that the application be refused.  She also drew Members’ attention to the late items.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received a statement from a member of the public as detailed above, expressing her views regarding the planning application.

Members heard the views of Cllr John Thomson, the local member, who supported the application. 

After discussion,

Resolved:

To grant planning permission for the following reason:

The proposed development by reason of its scale, design and siting is considered to be in keeping with the host dwelling and would preserve the character and appearance of the Sherston Conservation Area in accordance with Policies cC3 and H8 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

Subject to the following 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.            The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match in material, colour and texture those used in the existing building.

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

POLICY: C3 & H8

3.            The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the submitted plans and documents listed below. No variation from the approved plans should be made without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Amendments may require the submission of a further application.

Plans:  1042/1, 2 Rev A, 3 dated 8/2/11

.

REASON: To ensure that the development is implemented as approved.

There were no urgent items.