Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Malcolm Hewson (substituted by Councillor Trevor Carbin) and Councillor Graham Payne.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2011 were presented.

Councillor Ernie Clark asked for some clarification to be provided regarding cost awards against Wiltshire Council and the provision made for these. The Chairman gave a verbal answer at the meeting. The question and answer are appended to these minutes.

Councillor Clark thanked the Chairman for his answer but still expressed unease at the wording of the answer provided on 9 February 2011.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2011 with the following amendments (as shown in bold type):

Minute number 11 refers:

W/10/02808/OUT – Proposed extension and conversion of existing house into 7 dwellings - Wayside 62 Bradley Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 0QY

Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight declared a personal interest as members of Trowbridge Town Council, and both members of the Town Council Development Committee. Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight gave their assurance that they would consider the application with an open mind.

Minute number 14c refers:

For the following reasons:

The proposed two storey extension, replacing the existing single garage, by reason of its position, mass, bulk and height would dominate and overshadow the neighbouring property (111b Beanacre) by reason of a detrimental loss of light to habitable rooms and dominating the amenity space associated with the neighbouring property resulting in detrimental harm to the amenities of 111b Beanacre contrary to the provisions of policy C38 of the West Wiltshire District Plan First Alterations 2004 and the guidance contained within the SPG for House Alterations and Extensions.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman welcomed all present. He then explained the rules of public participation and the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Public Participation:

-       Mr John Fletcher spoke in objection to the application

-       Mr Peter Crane, on behalf of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), spoke in objection to the application

-       Mr Graham Parker spoke in objection to the application

-       Mrs Louise Flemming spoke in support of the application

-       Mr Chris Alexander, applicant, spoke in support of the application

-       Mr Simon Coombe, Chairman of Limpley Stoke Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application

Councillor Linda Conley, Unitary Member for Winsley and Westwood, reported the high interest in the application by local residents and the emotive nature of objections due to the application being located within the Western Wiltshire Green Belt and Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Councillor Conley welcomed the opportunity for the application to be considered by the Western Area Planning Committee to ensure a full and open public debate.

Officers introduced the report which sought approval and, in doing so, drew the Committee’s attention to the late list which informed the committee of a petition of 184 signatures objecting to the application as well as the receipt of revised plans (the superseded plans proposed to use gabion walls which had been replaced as part of the proposal by natural Cotswold stone walls flanking the entrance.)  

During the ensuing debate the Committee was reassured that the status of the land was agricultural and there was no proposal within the application to change the use of the land.

The Committee questioned the design of the proposed new access from Crowe Hill to Stoke End and it was explained that the “meandering” aspect of the access was due to the nature of the ground (particularly steep slope).

It was also clarified that the proposed walled kitchen garden, replacing the existing tennis court, was not located within the open countryside.

The Committee understood and accepted that the key issues to be considered were road safety and the visual impact on the landscape. With regards to road safety, members of the Committee expressed concerns at the loss of one unofficial pull-in, as the entrance would be blocked in line with the existing wall. Although members of the Committee acknowledged the concerns of the Highways Officers (page 16 of the agenda refers) and recognised that the pull-ins were of an unofficial nature, they felt strongly that the existing pull-ins should be retained.

It was therefore

Resolved:

To delegate authority to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission subject to the receipt of amended plans showing the two access points to be closed at Church Lane closed at the position of the existing gateways, thereby retaining the existing pull-ins.

For the following reason:

The proposed development would have road safety benefits though the closure of two accesses with poor visibility and the improvement of a third. The proposal would not harm the openness of the green belt and although it would have an impact on the appearance of the landscape, it is considered that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22a

Public Participation

-       Miss Dawn Pople, applicant, spoke in support of the application

-       Mrs Anita Whittle, representing Bratton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application

Councillor Julie Swabey, Unitary Member for Ethandune, urged the Committee to consider the application as a whole rather than focusing on highways grounds.

Officers introduced the report which sought refusal, but varying from a decision previously made by Committee on this same site. Officers drew the Committee’s attention to the late list which contained additional information received from the applicant and further comments from the Planning Officer.

Members of the Committee asked for and received confirmation that national policy ODPM Circular 01/2006 still applied and would do so until officially replaced.   

Following a discussion, members were not convinced that there had been any material change in the circumstances since the decision on the earlier application.

It was therefore

Resolved:

That planning permission be REFUSED

For the following reasons:

1. The proposed mobile home and associated structures, vehicles and general paraphernalia would, by reason of the open character of the site and surrounding land, appear unduly prominent and intrusive within the landscape to the detriment of the character and appearance of the countryside contrary to West Wiltshire District Plan - 1st Alteration 2004 Policy C1 and CF12, and Wiltshire Structure Plan 2016 Policy DP1 and DP15.

2. The proposal, located remote from services, employment opportunities and being unlikely to be well served by public transport, is contrary to the key aims of PPG13 which seeks to reduce growth in the length and number of motorised journeys.

3. The site has insufficient frontage to enable an access to be satisfactorily laid out incorporating the necessary visibility splays which are essential in the interests of highway safety contrary to West Wiltshire District Plan - 1st Alteration 2004 Policy CF12.

The Planning Appeals Update Report for January 2011 was received.

Resolved:

To note the Planning Appeals Update Report for January 2011.