Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2014 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a true and correct record and sign the minutes with the following amendment to item 6f: ‘Anne Henshaw spoke as a nearby resident in objection to the application, it was noted that she was not speaking in her capacity as a member of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.’

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

Cllr Nick Watts declared he would not participate in the debate or vote on item 6c but would speak as the local member.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

The Chairman explained that the applications under items 6a and 6b of the agenda had been withdrawn.

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 2:50pm 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 12 November 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.

To consider and determine planning applications as detailed below.

The planning officer explained the reason for the withdrawal of the application.

The planning officer explained the reason for the withdrawal of the application.

Thomas Jakes and Adrian Killmartin spoke in support of the application

The officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be refused. The proposed demolition of buildings and development on the site was explained. Plans showing the site location and indicative layout were presented and the planning officer explained his concerns with the indicative layout, however he highlighted that the principle of development on the site was acceptable.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer and it was confirmed that any reserved matters would broadly be in accordance with the indicative layout, however the final square meterage of dwellings would not be tied to the indicative plan. The officer explained that planning conditions could overcome drainage concerns.

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

The Chairman drew attention to the late observations and highlighted concerns from a local resident about loss of privacy.

The local member, Cllr Nick Watts, noted the potential community benefit of the development and that the site was appropriate for housing. The Councillor expressed disappointment that a suitable indicative layout had not been agreed.

In the debate that followed members expressed their satisfaction with the planning officer’s work. It was agreed that the principle of development on the site was acceptable however the indicative layout of dwellings was not.

Resolved:

 To REFUSE planning permission for the following reasons:

1.    The proposed scale of the dwellings proposed is considered to result in an inappropriate form of development that would not respect the local character and distinctiveness of the area, and would give rise to a cramped development form, a perception of overdevelopment of the site and an unacceptable impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residential properties and future residents of the development site. As such the proposal is considered to be contrary to the requirements of Policy C3 (i), (iii) & (iv) of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011, CP10 & CP57 of the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy (submission Draft as proposed to be amended April 2014); and paragraphs 9, 10, 14, 17, 56, 57, 58, 61 & 64 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.    In light of the above, the Council has been unable to secure a Section 106 Agreement in respect of financial contributions associated with the proposed development, contrary to Policies H3 and CF3 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

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.