Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ernie Clark (substituted by Councillor Francis Morland) and Graham Payne.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 September 2010 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2010 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2010.

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

W/10/02535/FUL – Councillors Peter Fuller and John Knight declared a personal interest as the application had been considered by Trowbridge Town Council of which they are both members. They both gave their assurance that they would consider the application on its own merit and with an open mind.

There were no Chairman’s Announcements.

Members of the public who wish to speak either in favour or against an application 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. 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.

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

To consider and determine planning applications in the attached schedule.

The Committee considered the following applications:

There were no public speakers.

Officers introduced the report which recommended approval. Officers reminded the Committee that this application had been deferred at the planning committee meeting on 15^th September 2010 to seek revised plans for the removal of the second vehicular access to the property. Revised plans had been received.

It was therefore

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED.

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 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.

1.         Mr Max Burr, Head Teacher, spoke in support of the application.

2.         Mrs Ginny Sherman, Chair of the Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

Officers introduced the report which recommended refusal. Officers explained the concerns over highway safety as detailed in the report. The Highway Officer answered many questions from the Committee, including the reduced visibility, the use of bollards, the choice of material and whether any more could be achieved through the school travel plan.

A debate followed during which the issues of highway safety, sustainable transport and the use of grasscrete were discussed.

Members of the Committee failed to be convinced that the proposal would exacerbate the safety issues already faced by the school and its pupils at drop off and pick up time.

Members of the Committee acknowledged the school’s efforts, helped by the community, to support the application in many ways including fundraising.

The Committee thanked the Highway Officer for attending.

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED.

For the following reason(s):

The proposal 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 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. Notwithstanding the grasscrete surface shown on the submitted plans, details of the materials to be used in the construction of the hard standing, together with a method statement and a section through the site, shall be submitted to and approved in writing prior to the commencement of any works. The works shall then be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved details prior to the hard standing being first brought into use.

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

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

1.         Mr Dylan Smith spoke in objection to the application.

2.         Mr Matthew Stevens spoke in objection to the application.

3.         Mrs Cynthia Berryman spoke in objection to the application.

4.         Mr Robert Miller (executor) spoke in support of the application.

Officers introduced the report which recommended approval and explained the application’s history.

A debate followed during which issues highlighted by the public speakers, such as possible loss of amenity, parking, noise pollution and the scale of the development, were discussed.

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED.

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):

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.

Councillors’ attendance:

W/10/02168/FUL - Keevil Church Of England Primary School – Councillor Rod Eaton arrived before the start of the officer presentation.

To receive details of appeal decisions and appeals pending (see attached schedule.)

The Planning Appeals Update Report for August 2010 was received.

Resolved:

To note the Planning Appeals Update Report for August 2010.

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.