Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 4 January 2012            (copy attached.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 04 January 2012 were presented for consideration.

Resolved:

To approve the minutes as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s Announcements.

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

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

Cllr Peter Fuller declared a personal interest in item 6a - W/11/03052/FUL: Former Tesco’s Site, St Stephens Place - as a member of Trowbridge Town Council and its Development Control Committee. He stated he had not been involved in Town Council’s Resolution on the application in question, but clarified that the Town Council was the owner of land adjacent to the site.

Cllr John Knight declared a personal interest in item 6a - W/11/03052/FUL: Former Tesco’s Site, St Stephens Place - as a member of Trowbridge Town Council, but clarified he was absent for discussions of the application in question, and would consider it with an open mind.

Cllr Rod Eaton declared a personal interest in item 6b - W/11/02267/REM: Land adjoining 14 Woodrow Road, Melksham - as a result of being lobbied by supporters and objectors, but that he would consider the application with an open mind.

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 8 February 2012.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.

To consider and determine the following planning applications:

A late list was circulated and is appended to these minutes.

The Committee considered the following applications:

Public Participation

·         Mr Mike Baxter spoke in objection to the proposal

·         Miss Natasha Owens spoke in objection to the proposal

·         Mr Brian Mitchell spoke in objection to the proposal

·         Mr Kevin Eames spoke in support of the proposal

·         Mr Tim Russell, applicant, spoke in support of the proposal

·         Mr Ken Taylor spoke in support of the proposal

·         Mr Harry Hilliard, Consultee, Transforming Trowbridge, spoke in support of the proposal

The Area Development Manager introduced a report which recommended approval for the application, drawing attention to issues of funding, visual impact of the proposal and integration with Council policies. The Committee’s attention was also drawn to the late list provided at the meeting.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions to the Area Development Manager and the Case Officer. Questions were raised around issues of parking at the site, taxi facilities and the suitability of the highways to support the increased needs of the proposal. In response to queries, it was clarified that the proposal was in line with the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy and other policies, and that an archaeological appraisal had been conducted, but any future finds would require further agreements.

Members of the Public then had the opportunity to speak, as detailed above.

A debate followed, where the potential to revitalize Trowbridge town centre was emphasized, and the impact of the proposal on other businesses and residents was discussed, with parking a particular consideration.

The Chair permitted Cllr Stephen Oldrieve, Wiltshire Council, to make a brief statement encouraging the Committee to make Trowbridge an attractive location for developers to invest.

The Local Member, Cllr John Knight, spoke in support of the proposal.

After discussion, it was,

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED for the following reason:

The proposed development would result in comprehensive and major regeneration of a derelict site on the southern edge of the Town Centre.  The proposals satisfy the fundamental policy objectives of national and local policies as well as reflecting the emerging Core Strategies.  The proposed development would not materially affect the amenities of neighbours or result in any increased flood risk or detrimental impact to highway interests and any planning objections can be overcome by conditions.

Subject to the following condition(s):

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 other than on-site tree and ecology related works (e.g. vegetation clearance) shall commence on site until details and exact samples of the gabion stone wall, bricks, parking bays, stretcher bonded pavements and curb stone materials to be used on the development 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18a

A recess was taken from 1920-1930

Public Participation

·         Mr Alan George spoke in objection to the proposal.

·         Mr Scott Hodgeson spoke in objection to the proposal.

·         Mr Michael Frost spoke in objection to the proposal.

The Area Development Manager introduced the report which recommended approval, and outlined the application history of the site and stressed that the matter before the Committee dealt with reserved matters only due to past approval being granted.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical question of the Area Development Manager, during which the question of there being no roof windows was raised.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to speak, as detailed above.

A debate followed, during which the report of the government Planning Inspector was referenced and specific conditions queried and the size of the proposed construction and access was questioned. It was clarified that several objections did not apply as a result of the initial granting of the application.

The Local Member, Cllr Rod Eaton, spoke in support of the application on that basis.

After discussion, it was,

Resolved

That reserved matters be APPROVED for the following reason(s):

The proposed development conforms to the Development Plan and there are no objections to it on planning grounds.

Subject to the following condition(s):

1.    The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the first five metres of the two accesses, measured from the edge of the carriageway, have been consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). The accesses shall be maintained as such thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

2.    No part of the development hereby approved shall be occupied until the parking areas shown on the approved plans have been consolidated, surfaced and laid out in accordance with the approved details. This area shall be maintained and remain available for this use at all times thereafter.

REASON: To ensure that adequate provision is made for parking within the site in the interests of highway safety.

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 detailed landscape plan showing all plant species, supply and plant sizes and  planting densities, and ground preparation;

• Means of enclosure;

• Car park layouts;

• Other vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation areas;

• Hard surfacing materials;

• Proposed and existing functional services above and below ground (e.g. drainage, power, communications, cables, pipelines etc indicating lines, manholes, supports etc);

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 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18b

Public Participation

·         Mr Simon Reeve spoke in objection to the proposal.

The Area Development Manager introduced the report which recommended approval, highlighting issues of visual amenity and impact on neighbouring properties.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the Area Development Manager, and further details regarding the specific design of the proposal were sought.

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

The Local Member, Cllr Julie Swabey, spoke in objection to the proposal.

A discussion followed, wherein the significance of the proposed extension was debated.

It was,

Resolved

That planning permission be GRANTED for the following reason(s):

The proposed development will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area, through the use of matching materials and by not exceeding the height of the existing ridge line. Although the extension involves moving the gable wall of the house closer to adjacent properties, the extension will move it out by only 2.7 metres and given the fact that the bulk of the gable end already exists, it is not considered that extending it in the manner proposed will have a significant adverse impact on the amenity of adjacent properties. The proposal is therefore considered to be in accordance with the policies of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st alteration.

Subject to the following condition(s):

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.    The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match in material, colour and texture those used in the existing building.

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

West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: C31a.

3.    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Order 2008 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), no windows, doors or other form of openings other than those shown on the approved plans, shall be inserted at first floor level in the northern elevation of the development hereby permitted.

REASON: In the interests of residential amenity and privacy.

West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: C38

4.    The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans:

DRAWING No. 11.37.1 received on 20 October 2011

DRAWING No. 11-37-2 received on 20 October 2011

DRAWING No. 11-37-3 Rev. A received on 12 December 2011

REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans that have been judged to be acceptable by the local planning authority.

Public Participation

·         Mr Simon Chambers, agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Area Development Manager introduced the report which recommended refusal, highlighting the application’s location in Green Belt and land classified as for agricultural use.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the Area Development Manager, and asked for clarification on which land was classified as agricultural and why.

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

Cllr Jonathan Seed then read a statement on behalf of the Local Member, Cllr Linda Conley, speaking in support of the application.

A discussion followed, during which the limited impact of the proposal was mentioned and ways this could be further reduced.

It was,

Resolved

That planning permission be GRANTED for the following reason(s):

The change of use and construction of the tennis court, including the perimeter fencing, would not have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the rural landscape in this location, nor on the openness of the Green Belt. Accordingly, the proposal is in accordance with national guidance in PPG2 and with policy C1 of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration.

Subject to the following condition(s):

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     The surface of the tennis court, and the perimeter fencing, shall be dark green in colour.

       REASON: To protect the character and appearance of the area.

3     The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans:

       DRAWING No. LPC/2717/1 received on 5th December 2011

       DRAWING No. LPC/2717/2A received on 5th December 2011.

       REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans that have been judged to be acceptable by the local planning authority.