Agenda item

Public Participation

Mrs Sarah Kennedy spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Graham Lees spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Tom Thornton, Codford Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced a report which recommended that permission be granted. Key issues were stated to include the principle of the development resulting from the change of use within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the impact upon the amenity of the area and highways considerations. It was noted that highways officers had raised no objections to the application, which now included a lay-by and additional signage. As requested by the Committee when considering the application during its meeting of 12 June 2013, a site visit had taken place prior to the commencement of the meeting.

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

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

The Local Member, Councillor Christopher Newbury, then detailed the local concerns regarding the application.

A debate followed where the impact on the surrounding area was assessed, taking note of the nearby rail line, along with the width and safety of the access road and the mitigating measures that had been proposed. Proposed hours of delivery to and from the site were also discussed.

After debate, it was,

Resolved:

To GRANT planning permission for the following reason:

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.

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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with drawing numbers 101, 102, 103, 105, 106 received on 13th April 2012, drawing number 107A received on 18th September 2013 and drawing number 104B received on 24th September 2013.

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

3       Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), the site shall be used solely for purposes within Class B1 and B8 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Order 2005 (or in any provisions equivalent to that class in any statutory instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

          REASON:  The proposed use has been considered to be acceptable but the Local Planning Authority wish to consider any future proposal for a change of use and its impact upon the AONB, the wider landscape and any impact upon the existing road network.

4       The delivery and despatch of goods to and from the site shall only take place between the hours of 08:30hrs and 17:30hrs Mondays to Fridays. Deliveries and despatch of goods shall not take place outside of these hours or on bank holidays.

          REASON:  To ensure the creation/retention of an environment free from intrusive levels of noise and activity in the interests of the amenity of the area having regard to Saved Policy C38 of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004.

5       The development hereby approved shall not be first brought into use until the access and parking areas have been implemented in accordance with drawing number 104A received by the Local Planning Authority on 22nd April 2013, drawing number 107A received by the Local Planning Authority on 18th September 2013 only. The areas shall thereafter be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

          REASON: In the interest of highway safety having regard to advice contained in the NPPF.

6       Prior to the communal toilet block being constructed on site, details of the exact location, material and colour of the structure shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The building shall then be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

          REASON: To ensure that the modular building does not have an impact upon the AONB and wider landscape having regard to Saved Policies C1, C31a, C32 of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 and advice contained in the NPPF.

7       All soft landscaping works shown on drawing number 104A received by the Local Planning Authority on 22nd April 2013 shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the buildings 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 plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species

          REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features within the AONB having regard to Saved Policies C31a and C32 of the West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 and advice contained in the NPPF

8       Prior to the use hereby permitted being put into the use the buildings  annotated as E, F, G and I shown on drawing number 101 received on 13th April 2012 shall be demolished and the material removed from the site.

          REASON: To protect the landscape quality of the AONB having regard to advice contained in the NPPF.

NOTE: Councillors requested that the Council’s Highways Team be asked to look at the possibility of placing highway signage relating to the bend in the road leading to the site from the A36.