Agenda item

The following people spoke against the proposal:

Mrs Penny Spink, a local resident.

Dr Colin Hallward, a local resident.

Mr Clive Smith, a local resident.

The following people spoke in favour of the proposal:

Mr Andy Meads, representing Wiltshire Council Children’s Services.

Ms Jan Thatcher, representing Wiltshire Council Children & Families.

Mr Peters, the agent.

The division member, Cllr Nigel Carter, spoke generally about the application.

The Committee received a presentation by the Area Development Manager which set out the main issues in respect of the application. He introduced the report, which recommended approval, and drew members’ attention to the late items.

There were no technical questions. The Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding this planning application.

After discussion including:

• The highways impact of the proposed development;
• The impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties; and
• The principle and impact of development on the listed building

It was,

Resolved:

That planning permission be granted for the following reason:

The decision to grant planning permission has been taken on the grounds that the proposed development would not have any adverse impact on the amenity of residents of neighbouring properties, due to the specific nature of the use proposed and the conditions attached to the planning permission. Highway safety would be secured by the proposed alterations to the access and the A361 and the provision of adequate parking facilities on site. Furthermore, the use proposed and the alterations to the property that are required would not have any adverse impact on the character or appearance of the listed building. Accordingly, the proposal is in accordance with policy PD1 of the Kennet Local Plan and with Government guidance set out in PPS5.

And subject to the following conditions:

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. Prior to the first use of the building for the use hereby permitted the highway improvement scheme shown on drawing IMA-10-080-005 Rev A shall be implemented in full.

REASON: To ensure the necessary increase in visibility is provided for vehicles exiting the site.

3. Prior to the first use of the building for the use hereby permitted the existing strip of vegetation along the eastern side of the driveway shall be removed and that land shall be resurfaced using a properly consolidated surface (not loose stone or gravel) at the same level as the existing driveway. The strip of land shall be maintained in that form thereafter.

REASON: To ensure the increased width of driveway is achieved in order to create an acceptable form of vehicular access for the proposed use.

4. Prior to the first use of the building for the use hereby permitted sufficient space for the parking of at least six vehicles together with a vehicular access thereto has been provided in accordance with the details first submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The said space shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles or for the purposes of access.

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

5. Other than for the activity and the persons associated with the overnight crisis accommodation (which are subject of the restrictions set out in condition 6) the resource centre shall be closed to all staff and clients outside of the hours of 0830 to 2200 Monday to Saturday and the centre shall be closed to all staff and clients on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

REASON: In the interests of neighbour amenity.

6. Only the annex building, and no other part of the house, shall be used for the overnight crisis accommodation. There shall be no more than 2 children and 3 staff using the annex for overnight crisis accommodation at any one time and no child shall stay in the overnight crisis accommodation for more than 3 consecutive nights.

REASON: To ensure the amount of residential accommodation on the site is limited and only for a temporary period in the interests of neighbour amenity.

7. Prior to the first use of the building for the use hereby permitted the landing window at first floor level on the east elevation of the annex building shall be altered so that it is glazed with obscure glass only and the window shall be permanently maintained with obscure glazing and fixed shut at all times thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of residential amenity and privacy.

8. The balcony on the southern end of the annex shall not be used by any staff or clients except in the case where it is needed as a means of escape in the event of an emergency. The doors to the balcony shall be fixed shut in a manner that will only allow them to be opened in the event of an emergency in accordance with the details first submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The doors shall be maintained fixed shut in accordance with those approved details thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of the amenity and privacy of the occupiers of the adjacent dwelling.

9. No external lighting shall be installed on site, including security lighting, until plans showing the type of light appliance, the height and position of fitting and illumination levels have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The lighting approved shall be installed and shall be maintained in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: In the interests of the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties.

10. This decision relates to documents/plans submitted with the application, listed below. No variation from the approved documents should be made without the prior approval of this Council. Amendments may require the submission of a further application. Failure to comply with this advice may lead to enforcement action which may require alterations and/or demolition of any unauthorised buildings or structures and may also lead to prosecution.

Site location plan, block plan, proposed alterations drawings 1 to 4 and Planning, Design and Access Statement all received on 11th October 2010 together with drawing IMA-10-080-005 Rev A received on 29th November 2010 which superseded the Highway Improvement Scheme originally submitted in the Planning, Design and Access Statement.