Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Sturgis.

Cllr Sturgis was substituted by Cllr Lay.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014 were presented.

Resolved:

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements through the Chairman.

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 no later than 5pm on Wednesday 9 July 2014. 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.

In light of the public in attendance at the meeting the Committee agreed to move agenda 6b to be heard first.

To consider and determine planning applications.

Attention was drawn to the late list of observations provided at the meeting and published in Agenda Supplement 1, in respect of applications 6a, 6b and 6c as listed in the agenda pack.

Please note this item is likely to be deferred in light of revised information.

Public participation

Mr Charles Todd, Mr James Adams and Mrs Pauline Reed spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Amanda Stobbs and Mr Tim Barton spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Pauline Lyons, Box Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application/

Cllr Peter Anstey, Corsham Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended permission be refused. He drew attention to the late observations circulated at the meeting which detailed a change to his recommendation, to deferral, as proposed changes substantially altered the submitted application. He took the committee through the substantive report before them which included details of fencing, CCTV and panel equipments. He drew attention to the bridleway and footpath on the site and the inclusion of an education area.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that panels would be sited to maximise efficiency. Screening methods would reduce reflection for traffic from the east. The application included details of proposed drainage which dealt with the natural flow of run off, and the proposed elephant grass screening had attenuation properties. The elephant grass would be cropped in parallel ten metre bands to ensure partial screening at all times, and being a rapidly growing crop it was anticipated to be at full height in ample time. The application did not include integral lighting for CCTV.

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

The local member, Cllr Dick Tonge then spoke in objection to the application, noting that the reasons for refusal given by the officer would not be overcome by deferring the item. The siting had not changed, neither had its setting in terms of both immediate visual amenity and of the wider landscape as well as the setting and enjoyment of the Cotswolds ANOB

In the debate that followed the Committee noted the importance of acting in a reasonable manner and the high risks of not deferring. A request for a site visit was noted.

Resolved:

The Committee deferred consideration of the application to a later committee meeting to allow for revised information to be taken into account.

Public participation

Mr John Tucker, Mrs Karen Tucker and Mr Matthew Stephen spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Alex Jaggard spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Andy Phillips, Chippenham Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended to delegate to the Area Development Manager to grant permission subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement and conditions. He noted that no construction would take place in root protection zones and the design was not out of keeping as there was no strong local style.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that the brook was not within the application site. The application had stated there was rights of access to the site however this was a civil matter. No objections had been received on highways or drainage grounds. Two tree preservation orders existed on the site, and a construction method statement added.

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

The local member, Cllr Nina Phillips then spoke in objection to the application.

In the debate that followed the Committee highlighted the need for construction traffic to access the site through Sedgewick House.

Resolved:

The Committee delegated to the Area Development Manager to GRANT planning permission, subject the signing of a Section 106 agreement and 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.     No development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

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

3.     No development shall commence on site until a scheme of hard and soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:

(a)      indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land;

(b)     details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development;

(c)      all species, planting sizes and planting densities, spread of all trees and hedgerows within or overhanging the site, in relation to the proposed buildings, roads, and other works;

(d)      finished levels and contours;

(e)      means of enclosure;

(f)       hard surfacing materials;

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

4.     All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the building(s) or the completion of the development whichever  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

Public participation

Cllr John Coole, Cricklade Town Council spoke in objection to the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended to delegate to the Area Development Manager to grant permission subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement and conditions. Ongoing enforcement matters were to be set aside, and they were satisfied there was agricultural activity on the site and the application was appropriate.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that a condition could be added to remove the existing building and debris cleared from the site before work commenced. There was no need to condition it as an agricultural building as any work not detailed within the application would need further planning permission. Access to the site had been considered as part of the permission previously granted for the stables and the additional building would not increase traffic movement. It was not possible to use this application to enforce on other outstanding matters.

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

The local member was not in attendance.

In the debate that followed the Committee highlighted the need to add a condition to remove the existing building and debris cleared from site before work commenced.

Resolved:

The Committee granted planning permission subject to the following conditions:

WA1 – Full Planning Permission

The building hereby permitted shall be used for the purposes of Agriculture as defined in Section 336 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

REASON: To define the permission.

WM6 – Disposal of waste / manure

No development shall commence on site until details for the storage of manure and soiled bedding (including the location of such storage) and its disposal from site (including frequency) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Before the development is first brought into use, the works for such storage and disposal shall be completed in accordance with the approved details and shall subsequently be maintained in accordance with the approved details. No storage of manure and soiled bedding shall take place outside of the storage area approved under this condition.

REASON: In the interests of public health and safety, in order to protect the natural environment and prevent pollution.

WM9 – No portable structures

No portable buildings, van bodies, trailers, vehicles or other structures used for storage, shelter, rest or refreshment, shall be stationed on the site without the prior approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: In order to protect the living conditions of nearby residents and/or the rural character of the area.

When the solar panels hereby permitted cease to be operational for a continuous period of 12 months (or such period as may otherwise be agreed in writing by the local planning authority), all the components relating to the solar panels shall be removed from the building.

REASON:  In the interest of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area in accordance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Public participation

Mr Ian Rea spoke in support of the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be refused. He explained that that as the post office function had moved +the application was to split and create 2 units, meaning there would be three dwellings on a site previously occupied by one. The previous reason for refusal had gone, however it was considered that the saturation and intensity was beyond the acceptable threshold of acceptable amenity space.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that the height increase had been granted in a previous permission.

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

The local member, Cllr Greenman then spoke in support of the application.

A motion to delegate to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement and conditions was seconded.  

In the debate that followed the Committee discussed the layout and whether  it was detrimental to the residential amenity of existing, future and neighbouring occupiers and character and appearance of the conservation area.

RESOLVED:

The Committee delegated to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission, subject to completion of a S106 agreement in respect of off-site public open space contributions and 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.    All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the buildings or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner. All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority. All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of any part of the development or in accordance with a programme to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

3.    No part of the development hereby permitted shall be first occupied until the access, turning area and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

4.    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

Public participation

Mr Nick Charlton and Mr Lloyd Stephens spoke in support of the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended that permission be delegated to the Area Development Manager to grant subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement and conditions. He noted that the this was a resubmission of a previous application which addressed privacy concerns and the relationship with Hungerdown Lane. Parking for the pub had also been reconfigured and met the required standards.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers and it was confirmed that a disabled bay had been allocated closest to the pub entrance. Although the car park bays was not presently painted, there would be marked bays up to the required standard.

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

The local member, Cllr Hutton then addressed the Committee, highlighted that the engagement with the community had not happened and that he did not support an application for three residential units.

A motion to refuse planning permission on the grounds over overdevelopment of the site, it’s scale, mass, design and density failing to accord with Policy C3(i) of the adopted North Wiltshire Plan 2011 was moved but was not seconded and therefore fell.

In the debate that followed the Committee highlighted the need to have clear signage in the pub car park restricting its use to patrons and to add an informative encouraging public engagement.

Resolved:

The Committee delegated authority to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement with the following heads of terms:

•         £17,460 in offsite Open Space Contribution to be used to upgrade facilities at Little Battens Recreation Ground

 and 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.     No development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

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

3.     No development shall commence on site until a scheme of hard and soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:

a) a detailed planting specification showing all plant species, supply and planting sizes and planting densities;

b) finished levels and contours;

c) all hard and soft surfacing materials, including refuse and other storage units.

d) means of enclosure

e) Signage details, including size, design and location clearly stating ‘parking for patrons only

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

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.