Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Philip Whalley who was substituted by Cllr Jacqui Lay.

Cllr Simon Killane was substituted by Cllr Terry Chivers.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2014 were presented.

Resolved:

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

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

Cllr Watts declared  he was the local member for the application under consideration for item 6b. He would participate in the debate and vote on each item with an open mind.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

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 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 3 December 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.

Keith Robbins spoke on behalf of Danielle Saint in objection to the application, Dave Clements and Janet Robbins also spoke in objection to the application.

Peter Lawson spoke in support of the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended to delegate authority to grant planning permission to the Area Development Manager, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement; and subject to planning conditions. It was explained that the application was for outline planning permission and was a resubmission of an application previously refused by the Committee. A site location plan was shown, landscaping and access routes were identified and attention was brought to the late observations.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions during which it was confirmed that the neighbouring saw mill owner was a signatory to the section 106 agreement and that a future owner would be bound by this agreement. The officer advised that two additional standard conditions were needed and these were explained to Members. The Committee was advised that, as a result of the development, the road junction would be widened and that tree surveys and landscaping would be dealt with at a reserved matters stage.

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

The local member, Cllr Crisp, described how the approach to the application had changed over time. The Councillor suggested the site was one of the only locations in Calne rural area that could accommodate housing and it was also a brownfield site, additionally the applicant had offered to provide a signal controlled crossing which would have the benefit of slowing traffic.

The planning officer responded to issues raised by members of the public by confirming Public Protection and Spatial Planning raised no objections to the scheme. It was confirmed the area did have a five year land supply and the applicant was offering a crossing as part of the development. Members were advised that landscaping onsite would be adequate. 

In the debate that followed it was noted there had been some member support for the original application and that the application made use of one of the only available brownfield sites in the area and would secure community benefits such as the crossing.  The Committee considered the differences between the original and this revised application and stressed the importance that a controlled crossing would be constructed as part of the scheme.

Resolved:

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

·         30% affordable housing

·         Provision of noise mitigation measures in accordance with the submitted noise report prior to the first occupation of any residential unit.

·         On-site provision of 1920m2, of public open space of which 216m2 allocated as specific play provision, to be subject to a commuted fee to cover maintenance;

·         Off-site financial contribution of £18,123 to satisfy the Sport and Recreation requirement of Planning Policy C2.

·         A sum of £134,144 towards primary education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

The officer introduced the report which recommended to delegate authority to grant planning permission to the Area Development Manager, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement; and subject to planning conditions. Attention was drawn to the late observations and photographs showing the character of the street were presented. The location of the site next to a Grade II* listed church was explained alongside the modern architectural design of the proposed dwellings.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions and the level of the roof terraces was confirmed. The Committee was advised that the dwellings would be of an acceptable density with sufficient car parking.

 A question was raised over whether 30% affordable housing was required for the scheme and the meeting was adjourned to seek legal advice.

Resolved:

To DEFER determination of the application to the next Committee meeting for the following reason:

To allow officers to re-consult with the New Housing Team in respect of potential affordable housing requirements following the receipt of the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy Inspector’s Report dated 1/12/14;  and to receive Legal advice as to the implementation of Government changes to policy and practice relating to Section 106 requirements and in particular contributions in respect of affordable housing for housing schemes of less than 10 dwellings as set out in the ministerial statement dated 28/11/14 and related changes to the Planning Practice Guidance.

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.