Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Sarah Gibson, who was substituted by Cllr Stewart Palmen.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2019. (Copy attached)

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2019.

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.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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 by phone, email or in person no later than 10.20am on the day of the meeting.

The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are detailed in the Council’s Planning Code of Good Practice. 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.

Members of the public will have had the opportunity to make representations on the planning applications and to contact and lobby their local member and any other members of the planning committee prior to the meeting. Lobbying once the debate has started at the meeting is not permitted, including the circulation of new information, written or photographic which have not been verified by planning officers.

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 no later than 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2019 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. In order to receive a verbal response questions must be submitted no later than 5pm on Friday 8 November 2019. 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 or statements submitted.

To receive details of completed and pending appeals, and any other updates as appropriate. (Copy attached)

An update on planning appeals and decisions was received during the period 30 August and 1 November 2019.

It was noted that planning appeals had been lodged in respect of applications at Startley near Chippenham and also at Hilmarton. No planning appeals had been decided during this period.

Resolved:

To note the contents of the update.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Development Management which set out the main issues in respect of the application. The purpose of the report was to consider the proposals in the context of the Development Plan and all other material considerations and to consider the recommendation that the application be approved subject to conditions.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which they heard a statement from Julie Thomas of Framptons, the agent, in support of the application.

Members then heard the views of Cllr Howard Greenman, the local Member, who supported the views of Langley Burrell Parish Council and considered that the temporary haul road from Upper Peckingell Farm would have a colossal impact on the village. This haul road and associated roads were single track and not suitable for the amount of traffic that would be using them. It was acknowledged that there would be some inconvenience but reference was made to condition 3 of the proposed permission which stated that a Construction Traffic Management Plan should be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of the development.  It was noted that this Plan would necessitate the provision of passing places on these roads.

After some discussion,

Resolved:

To grant planning permission, 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 the following approved plans and documents:

Highways Technical Note 2 Dated 30^th August 2019.

5609-ATR-13-B (1 OF 2) Dated June 2019

5609-ATR-013-B (2 OF 2) Dated June 2019

5609-SK-020-B (1 OF 2)

5609-SK-020-B (2 OF 2)

70005609-FIG 1 (Bridge Construction Traffic Routes)

70005690-SK-021-A (1)

70005690-SK-021-A (2) Received 6/9/19

Tree Survey AIA & Method Statement 1^st March 2019

Noise Assessment and Management Plan Received 08/03/2019

5609-GA-0009-B

BRL-PL151

BRL-PL200 Plant Schedule

Topographic Survey BRL PL150 (21/01/19)

BRL PL152 Plant Schedule

CB-SK-011 P01

245988-ARP-DRG-EST-00001 P03

5609-GA-005 REV A

5609-GA-007 REV A Received 29/02/2019

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

3. Prior to the commencement of the development a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) shall be submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The CTMP shall set out the proposed programme for the construction of the works, the forecast number and timing of lorry movements associated with each element of the programme, methods to be employed on the site to ensure that detritus from the site is not deposited on the public roads, temporary road works to mitigate damage to the existing highway structure (carriageway and verges), construction traffic signage on the proposed haul route from the B4069, lorry and car parking on the site to accommodate construction traffic. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Development Management which set out the main issues in respect of the application. The purpose of the report was to consider the proposals in the context of the Development Plan and all other material considerations and to consider the recommendation that the application be approved subject to conditions.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which they heard statements from members of the public as follows:-

Louise Cary, Head of Service Communications, Leisure Operations, who spoke in support of the proposal

Adrian Abbs, DKA architects, who spoke in support of the proposal

Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cabinet Member for Communities, who spoke in support of the proposal

Cllr Paul Carter, representing Melksham Without Parish Council, who spoke in support of the proposal

Members then heard the views of Cllr Jon Hubbard, the local Member, who supported the proposal. He expressed disappointment at the need to fell certain trees but was pleased that new ones would be planted. He also expressed some concern at the lack of car parking in the vicinity of the site and pointed out that it was very close to the centre of Melksham.  He considered that a Parking Plan was required as it was important that local residents were not inconvenienced by cars obstructing their homes. 

After some discussion,

Resolved:

To grant planning permission, subject to the following conditions:-

 A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The Committee received a short presentation from the Head of Development Management which set out the main issues in respect of the application for Listed Building Consent. The listed building application sought consent to demolish former outbuildings to Melksham House including the former stable block and remnants of garden walls and outbuildings associated with the kitchen garden, together with alterations to the entrance onto the Market Place via the demolition and relocation of one of the separately listed gate piers. 

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions but there were none.

It was noted that no letters of representation had been received from members of the public and no members of the public had registered to make statements at the meeting. However, an objection had been received from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) on the grounds that the scale and proximity of the new building would harm the setting of the grade 11 listed house.  Furthermore, the proposed landscaping and extent of new car parking around the house would have a detrimental impact to the setting of the house.  The Committee was informed that In view of these objections from SPAB, should the Committee resolve to approve the application, it would be necessary to refer the application to the Secretary of State for a final decision.  

After some discussion,

Resolved:

To approve the application subject to the following conditions and referral to the Secretary of State.

To note that the next meeting is due to take place on Wednesday 11 December 2019 at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.

Resolved:

To note that the next meeting was due to take place on Wednesday 11 December 2019 at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.

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 of business.