Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Patrick Blake-Kerr (Agent) spoke in support of the application.

Mrs Stella Hall spoke in support of the application.

Mr Nigel Fielder spoke in support of the application.

Mr Bill Buxton (Chairman of Winterbourne Monkton Parish Council) spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended the item be granted planning permission. Details of the application were then summarised by the officer. The planning officer outlined the key policies for consideration including PD1 of the Kennet Local Plan 2011 and section 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The considerations were summarised as being the visual impact and the affect on amenities in the area.

Committee members were given the opportunity to ask technical questions of the application.

Members of the public were given an opportunity to address the committee and state their views on the application.

Cllr Jemima Milton, local member spoke in support of the application, and raised the point that whilst the application had been brought to committee, it was broadly supported by local residents, providing that the adjoining pub was re-opened, and not converted. The confusion behind this, was the reason it had been called to committee, and Cllr Milton welcomed comments regarding proposed conditions.

The Planning Officer stated that it was reasonable to condition the application to ensure the future of the village pub in accordance with Policy ED29 of the Kennet Local Plan, which seeks to retain the existing range of social and community facilities in the rural areas.

A brief discussion was then had by members who raised the point that future planning applications would be required to convert the pub into a bed and breakfast, which would also go towards safeguarding the future of the pub in the village. Cllr Kunkler and Cllr Fogg both then spoke in support of the application. At the end of the debate it was;

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED 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)    The bed and breakfast accommodation hereby permitted shall not be first brought into use until the public house has re-opened.

REASON: To safeguard the use of amenities in the local area in accordance with Kennet Local Plan Policy ED29.

3)    No development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs of the extension 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 and appearance of the area.

4)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

• Location map & block plan, received on 15th March 2013;

• Existing floor plans, received on 4th January 2013;

• Existing elevations  - main building; received on 29th January 2013;

• Proposed floor plans - main building; received on 15th March 2013;

• Proposed elevations - main building, received on 15th March 2013;

• Annex: Existing elevations, floor plans & roof plans, received on 15th March 2013, and

• Annex: Proposed elevations, floor plans & roof plans, received on the 15th March 2013.

REASON:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.