Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Changes to membership

Following full Council on 12 November 2013 the membership of the Committee was changed as detailed below:

Cllr Howard Marshall removed as a committee member, added as a substitute

Cllr Simon Killane added as committee member.

Cllrs, Clark, Drewett and Chivers added as substitutes.

Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Simon Killane.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a true and correct record and sign the minutes.

Cllr Trotman declared an interest in agenda item 7b as the land in question belonged to his cousin. He declared he would chair the item but would not take part in the debate or vote..

To receive any announcements through the Chairman.

The Chairman introduced Eleanor Slack, Democratic Services Officer to the Committee.

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 Wednesday 6 November 2013.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 Committee noted the rules on public participation.

An appeals update report is attached for information.

The Committee noted the contents of the appeals update.

Attention was drawn to the late list of observations provided at the meeting and attached to these minutes, in respect of applications 7a and 7b as listed in the agenda pack.

Public Participation

Maureen Lloyd and Cllr John Scragg, Chippenham Town Council spoke in support of the application

The officer introduced the report which recommended that no objection be made to the demolition notice and that listed building consent be granted subject to conditions.

He explained that the stepped access on the south side of the previously approved scheme had been the subject on a land ownership issue and it was this element that had been redesigned. The existing bridge was not contemporaneous with Great Western Railway (GWR) or the listed Brunel station building. The proposal added step free access to the central platform and the southern side, benefitting people with impaired movement, cycles and pushchairs. Attention was drawn to the late observations which addressed concerns over the dull grey colour used in illustrations by way of condition.

The Committee then had the chance to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that the Committee could add a condition insisting on real stone cladding around the lift towers. The height of the lift towers were dictated by both safety and the future line electricification.

Members of the public then addressed the Committee as detailed above.

The local member, Cllr Caswill addressed the Committee and raised concerns over the colour scheme and the redesign bring the structure closer to the listed building. He noted the improvements relating to lighting that had been made, and noted the criticism from conservation officers.

In the debate that followed Committee members noted their support and highlighted the need to add a condition regarding the use of real stone cladding. Late night access was discussed as was the need for a lift to be installed as soon as funds were available.

Resolved:

In respect of Listed Building Consent 13/01094/LBC

To GRANT Listed Building consentfor the following reason:

The proposed demolition of the existing footbridge is considered to have a neutral or positive impact upon the setting of the Listed Building.  The replacement footbridge is considered likely to cause some harm to the setting of listed building.  However, the significant benefit to the community and users of the railway station through the creation of an accessible footbridge to the platform and rail services is considered to outweigh any harm that may be caused by the construction of the footbridge.  The proposal is considered therefore to comply with the requirements of The National Planning Policy Framework.

Subject to the following conditions:

1.The works for which Listed Building Consent is hereby granted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this consent.

REASON:  To comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.No development shall commence on site until details of the materials to be used on the lift towers, to include real stone cladding, and finish and colour of the footbridge to be used on the development have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

Public participation

Barry Penicud, Sam Young and Richard Godwin spoke in objection to the application.

Colin Meeke spoke in support of the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended that the application be granted subject to conditions.

He drew attention to an error in the report that had been corrected in the late observations, confirming that the area in question was 4 acres, or 1.62 hectares, and noted the key issues of design and visual impact. The design of the application had been amended to a more traditional L shape and although drainage was a known issue and not yet solved officers had been advised in principle this could be achieved, therefore a condition had been added.

The Committee then had the chance to ask technical questions of officers, and it was confirmed that should members be minded to request green roofing to address the visual impact then the application could be delegated to grant subject to approval. The change of use related to the whole area indicated by the red line. No precedent would be set as there was a pattern of private stabling known throughout the area of outstanding natural beauty (ANOB). The fences or jumps referred to in condition 9 related to more substantial permanent fences with a lasting visual impact. There was no requirement on the applicant to remedy existing flooding problems, although any development must take account of it’s own impact. The current arrangements were unsatisfactory, however officers were content it was achievable to mitigate the works. No water supply was needed as immediate water needs were met by capturing and retaining run-off water.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the committee as detailed above.

The local member, Cllr Alan Hill spoke in objection to the application, explaining that it was a combination of issues around flooding, environmental considerations, lack of passing places on Greens lane and no mention of ANOB landscape plans in the officers report.

In the debate that followed members discussed the inappropriateness of a 4 acre field being changed to equine use, given the potential to hold a cross country course, and whether permission should be granted if there was doubt on the implementation of the drainage scheme.

A motion to refuse the application was seconded, voted on and lost.

The need to delegate permission to allow for revised plans to be submitted showing a more suitable area for equine use with the majority of the area for grazing was highlighted, and it was agreed that a green roof would reduce the visual impact and be more in keeping with the landscape. Concern was raised over fences and jump being left out on the field.

Resolved:

To DELEGATE to the Area Development Manager to grant permission, subject to agreement of a restricted area for jumps and fences, adequate scheme of drainage and, notwithstanding the submitted details, an amended roof colouring:

Subject to the following conditions:

Conditions

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.