Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stuart Dobson and Terry Chivers.

Councillor Chivers was substituted by Councillor Ernie Clark.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May were presented for consideration and it was,

Resolved:

To approve as a true and correct record and sign the minutes.

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

There were no declarations.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

There were no 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 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 Director of Resources) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2014. 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.

The rules on public participation were noted.

Public Participation

Mr Timothy LeMare spoke in objection to the application.

Dr Angus Murdoch spoke in support of the application.

Mr Richard Covington, Chairman of West Ashton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Senior Planning Officer presented a report which recommended that the application for variance of two of the conditions imposed with a previous permission be granted. Key issues were stated to include highway safety, impact on the countryside and neighbouring amenity and the requirements for the delivery of Gypsy and Traveller sites under the council’s emerging Core Strategy.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officers. There were queries as to why the application was being considered by the Strategic Planning Committee rather than the Western Area Planning Committee, and it was stated the change in designation had been in response to comments from the Planning Inspector investigating the Core Strategy on the need to plan strategically for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites. Some members raised concerns that the Council had not amended its Constitution to enact such a change of criteria for the designation of planning applications to particular committees, although it was noted that the Scheme of Delegation for Planning did specify that Director of Development could determine that any application that raised appropriate issues could be considered by the Strategic Committee.

In response to additional queries it was confirmed that as further pitches would be permitted as a result of the variance applied for, this was to be counted as new sites, and that additional conditions could be imposed. Clarity was also sought about whether there was an underprovision of Gypsy and Traveller sites by the Council for the period running to 2021, or whether the council had met the minimum requirement up until 2016. In reply it was stated that the provision of 48 pitches countywide was a minimum requirement, but that if applications met the appropriate criteria they would be recommended for approval even when that minimum requirement was met.

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

A statement from the Local Member, Councillor Horace Prickett, in objection to the application was then read out by Councillor Christopher Newbury.

A debate followed, where members discussed the reasons for the original imposition of a condition restricting use of the site to a particular family, and whether it was appropriate that this be removed given the additional impact that would follow on the site and the amenity of the area. Highway safety was assessed, with the busy nature of the A350 adjoining the site noted, and whether an overriding need for the site had been demonstrated which would overcome the discouragement of development on the national primary route network. Details were also sought on the enforcement of conditions.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

That Permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Public Participation

Dr Angus Murdoch spoke in support of the application.

The Team Leader presented a report which recommended the application be approved. Key issues were stated to include the principle of development, impact on the highway, residential amenity and the character and appearance of the locality. Attention was also drawn to an updated plan that had been submitted, and the relevant condition amended accordingly.

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officers. As with Minute 52 some concerns were raised about the item coming before the Strategic Committee rather than an Area Planning Committee, and clarity was sought on sections of the report.

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

A debate followed, where the impact on highways and drainage was assessed, and the restriction of the site for close family members was noted, along with the level of provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites in the county.

At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

That permission be GRANTED subject to conditions:

WA1   FULL PLANNING PERMISSION -COMMENCEMENT 3 YEARS

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.

WB1   SUBSEQUENT APPROVAL OF MATERIALS FOR WALLS & ROOFS

2)    No development shall commence on site until details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs of the amenity buildings 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.

WC2   LANDSCAPING TO BE CARRIED OUT & MAINTAINED

3)    All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the building(s) 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, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.  All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of any part of the development or in accordance with a programme to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

WC7   SUBMISSION OF DETAILS OF EARTHWORKS

4)    Within six months of the date of this permission details of all earthworks have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 16 July 2014.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 16 July 2014.