Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mark Griffiths

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 December 2012 (copy attached.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2012 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2012.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 16 January 2013.  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 considered the following applications:

Public Participation

• Dr Tom Rocke, Planning Consultant, spoke in objection to the application
• Captain Keith Chadwick spoke in objection to the application
• Gerard Ellis, Architect, spoke in support of the application
• Tom Skailes, Ground Engineer, spoke in support of the application
• Iain Clamp, the applicant, spoke in support of the application
• Ed Gilby, representing Winsley Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended approval, subject to conditions.  He explained that the planning application was for the demolition of an existing dwelling and garage, erection of a replacement dwelling and garage with associated works.

Members of the Committee were informed that that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the character or appearance of the area and was in accordance with the planning policies for the area. Also, compared to the existing approved planning permission from 2010, the development was much more architecturally appealing and of higher quality.

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

The Local Member, Cllr Linda Conley, then spoke to the application. In particular she raised issues relating to, scale of development, visual impact upon the surrounding area, relationship to adjoining properties, design, bulk height and general appearance.  It was noted that the alleged encroachment beyond the curtilage defined limits no longer applied.

The Committee then considered the application and debating a number of issues.  It was felt that the application was an improvement on the approved 2010 permission and that it enhanced the area.  Members were advised that in the circumstances it was more acceptable to relocate spoil within the site and make minor changes to the natural contours of the landscape, than move the spoil of site. 

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be granted for the following reason(s):

The scale, massing, design and visual bulk of the replacement dwelling is considered acceptable; and, by virtue of the site's heavily wooded backdrop and densely treed boundaries, the proposed development would not significantly affect the openness of the Green Belt and nor would it cause detriment to the AONB or materially affect the amenities of neighbours.  Because of the comparatively small increase in footprint compared to the existing dwelling,  and the fact that the height is similar to the existing dwelling, the Council does not consider on balance that the replacement building is materially larger than the existing, but even if it was, it considers that very special circumstances exist, in that any potential harm to the green belt is outweighed by the design of the proposed dwelling and works, which will enhance the appearance of the landscape of this part of the AONB compared to the existing dwelling and the fall-back situation of the still-extant approval for a replacement dwelling, and that will preserve the openness of the green belt.

1       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

          REASON:  To comply  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Public Participation

• Phil Jefferson, local resident, spoke in objection to the application
• Derek Tanswell, Local resident, spoke in objection to the application

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended approval.  He explained that the planning application was a retrospective application for the erection of a tractor shed.

Members of the Committee were informed that that the proposal would not be detrimental to the existing landscape and would not have an adverse impact on the character or appearance of the area and was in accordance with the planning policies.

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

The Local Member, Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, then spoke to the application. In particular she raised issues relating to the scale of the development, visual impact upon the surrounding area and the design.

The Committee then considered the application and felt that the proposal was acceptable.

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be granted for the following reason(s):

The decision to grant planning permission has been taken on the grounds that the development does not cause any significant harm to interests of acknowledged importance and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and the following policies and proposals in the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 namely Saved Policies C1, C3, C31a, C38 and R11.

In accordance with paragraph 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Wiltshire Council has worked proactively to secure this development to improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.

Public Participation

• Margaret Thackway, local resident, spoke in objection to the application
• Nigel Brown, local resident, spoke in objection to the application
• Derek Tanswell, Agent, spoke in support of the application
• Denis Barnard, representing Chapmanslade Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended approval, subject to conditions.  The planning application was for the erection of an agricultural barn and retrospective hardstanding area..

Members of the Committee were informed that there had been extensive negotiations with the Local Planning Authority and the applicant, and in response to a recent inspectors decision the proposed barn had been relocated to be sited closer to existing buildings and the existing road to reduce its impact upon the open countryside. The size of the barn was now in accordance with the agricultural consultants opinion that the barn should be no larger than 115 square metres.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer.

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

The Local Member, Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, then spoke to the application and raised issues relating to the scale of the development, the visual impact upon the surrounding area and the design. 

The Committee then considered the application and were concerned that permission for a building of the size proposed would result in the use of a commercial livery.  It was suggested that a condition be added stating that use be restricted solely to agricultural purposes.  It was noted that the barn would be used amongst other things for sheep shearing, however this activity was not included in the suggested conditions.  Members asked for the sheep shearing activity to be added to condition 4.   

It was proposed that a site visit be held for members to have a clearer understanding of the site and the location of the barn in relation to the landscape and the road.  However, the request was not agreed by the Committee.

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be granted for the following reason(s):

The decision to grant planning permission has been taken on the grounds that the proposed development would not cause any significant harm to interests of acknowledged importance and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and the following policies and proposals in the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 namely Saved Policies C1, C3, C31a and C38.

In accordance with paragraph 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Wiltshire Council has worked proactively to secure this development to improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area through pre-application negotiations.

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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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.