Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2015.

Resolved:

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 March 2015.

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

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

The Chairman made the following announcement:-

Recording and Broadcasting  Members were reminded that it was intended hopefully quite soon to begin broadcasting this and other meetings of the Council on the internet.  To prepare for this, and in accordance with the Leader’s comment at Full Council on 24 February 2015, it was intended to record, but not broadcast, this meeting and other meetings moving forward for training purposes.  He, therefore, drew everyone’s attention to the recording and broadcasting notice on the front of the agenda, which had also been posted on the entrances to this room.

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 10.20am 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 (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 15 April 2015. 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.

There were no questions received from members of the Council.

Members of the public addressed the Committee as set out in Minute. No. 31 below.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The following people spoke against the proposal:

Mr Peter Smith, a local resident

Ms Karen Newbrook, a local resident

Cllr Dr William Scott, representing Semington Parish Council

The Committee received a presentation from the Area Development Manager which set out the main issues in respect of the application.  The report was introduced which recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.  Members were reminded that this application had been considered by this Committee at its meeting on 11 February 2015 when it was decided to defer consideration of the application pending the holding of a site inspection and to request copies of the Secretary of States and the Planning Inspectors appeal decision letters, copies of which were circulated with the revised report. 

Following on from this, the applicant had submitted revised plans which had reduced the number of pitches by one, so that now six additional pitches and associated development were being proposed.  All the pitches proposed were situated to the eastern portion of the site and immediately to the west of the pitches the applicant proposed to erect a six metre thick and 1.5m high landscaped bund.  Previously this bund had been located further to the west. Beyond this to the west it was now proposed to construct a landscaped area up to 25 metres wide planted with trees. Previously this area had been up to 11 metres wide and no tree planting had been indicated.  Beyond this the existing right of way (3m easement) would be retained and enclosed by a 2m high wooden fence as previously detailed.

A site inspection had taken place immediately before this meeting which had been attended by Cllrs Andrew Davis, Tony Trotman, Glenis Ansell, Trevor Carbin, Stewart Dobson, Charles Howard, David Jenkins and Jonathon Seed as the local Member.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding the planning application.

Members then heard the views of Cllr Jonathon Seed, the local Member, objecting to the proposal.  He referred to a submission from Wessex Water dated 14 January 2015 which stated that the nearest public water supply mains was some distance from the site and recommended that the applicant make contact with their new connections team to discuss a point of connection.   Cllr seed also stated that the application was unacceptable in its proximity to the West Wiltshire Crematorium and was contrary to the views expressed by the Planning Inspector in his decision regarding an earlier application in which he restricted development to the east of this site so as not to infringe upon the crematorium. 

During the ensuing discussion, several Members stated that by attending the site inspection, they were reassured that there was sufficient distance between the proposed location of the additional six pitches and the crematorium especially with the improved bunding proposed.  They did feel that the question of an adequate water supply needed clarification and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Chairman reported that this application had been withdrawn by the applicant and therefore would not be considered by the Committee.

To note that the date of the next meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.   

Resolved:

To note that the next meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.