Browse

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Wessex Room, Corn Exchange, The Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HS

Contact: Tara Shannon  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

24.

Apologies

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Stewart Dobson who was substituted by Cllr Chris Williams.

 

25.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019 were presented for consideration, and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019.

 

26.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

Cllr Richard Gamble declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7d, application 18/11759/VAR - Dauntsey's School, High Street, West Lavington, SN10 4HE. This was because his wife was chairman of the parish council, which was objecting to the application. Until recently, his wife was also a governor of the school (but was not party to the development). Furthermore, Cllr Gamble was Chairman of Lavington Athletics, which would be a beneficiary of the running track and his children were alumni of the school. Although the interest was non-pecuniary, Cllr Gamble declared that he would not take part in the debate and would not vote on this item.

 

Cllr Gamble also declared an interest in agenda item 7b, 18/11901/FUL - 39 Farm Lane, Great Bedwyn, Wilts, SN8 3LU, due to his role as Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Arts and Tourism. He declared that he would consider the application on its merits with an open mind as he debated and voted on the item.

 

Cllr Peter Evans declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7e, 19/01651/FUL - Garages adjacent to 112 Waiblingen Way, Devizes, SN10 2BP as he was a member of Devizes Town Council. However, he was not involved in any decisions related to this application so he declared that he would consider the application on its merits with an open mind as he debated and voted on the item.

 

27.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

 

28.

Public Participation

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 2.50pm 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 Tuesday 16 April in order to be guaranteed of a written response. In order to receive a verbal response questions must be submitted no later than 5pm onThursday 18 April. 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.

Minutes:

The rules on public participation were noted.

 

29.

Planning Appeals and Updates

To receive details of the completed and pending appeals, and any other updates as appropriate.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The report on completed and pending appeals was presented for consideration.

 

Resolved:

 

To note the updates.

 

30.

Planning Applications

To consider and determine the following planning applications.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The following planning applications were considered.

 

31.

18/07692/REM - Land South West of Quakers Road, Devizes, Wiltshire

Reserved Matters Details of Layout, Scale, Appearance and Landscaping for the erection of 123 dwellings and associated open space including play area, attenuation basins, and site infrastructure at Land at Quakers Road, pursuant to Outline Planning Permission 15/01388/OUT.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation

Ms Philippa Morgan, representing the Trust for Devizes, spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Kay Sibley, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr David Whatling, Devizes Sports Club Chairman, spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Rhian Powell, spoke in support of the application.

 

Jonathan James, Senior Planning Officer presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted with conditions for reserved matters details of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping for the erection of 123 dwellings and associated open space including play area, attenuation basins, and site infrastructure at Land at Quakers Road, pursuant to Outline Planning Permission 15/01388/OUT.

 

Key issues were stated to include the following; the visual impact; the impact on neighbour amenity; the impact on highway safety and air pollution and impacts on the environment and ecology.

 

Photographs and plans of the site were shown to the meeting. The site was to the North of the town centre with good pedestrian links via Quakers Walk which was lined with trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Vehicular access to the site would be in the North East corner via Quakers Road to London Road. As well as properties the site would contain play equipment, drainage basins and a pump station in the North West corner. Concerns had been raised regarding the visual impact on the houses on Quakers Walk, this would be mitigated by existing trees and enhanced planting.

 

Concerns had also been raised regarding the possibility of impact on neighbour amenity for three properties on Quakers Road on the Northern Boundary of the site. The shortest distance between these properties boundaries and the proposed dwellings was 10.5m which met national guidelines and therefore would not have a significant impact.

 

The principle of development had already been established for the provision of up to 123 dwellings on this site at outline stage. So, issues such as noise, access to local services, ecology/wildlife, open space, flooding, drainage, air pollution, highway safety and the capacity of infrastructure to accommodate the proposed dwellings had all been considered at that stage. There had been extensive negotiations with the applicant. It was felt that the proposed conditions would mitigate any considerations. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) identifies that there should be a presumption in favour of sustainable development for developments that are in accord with the development plan. The development was considered to comply with the policies of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (2015), the NPPF and the Devizes Area Neighbourhood Plan, therefore the recommendation was to approve with conditions.

 

There were no late observations.

 

Members of the committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. In response to questions from the committee, the Officer stated that; the property boundaries would be 1.8m to 2m high; the plans provided the possibility of access from the site to the neighbouring Devizes Sports Club, although this was not part of the current proposal; the cycleway was a requirement of the original consent by the Secretary of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

18/11901/FUL - 39 Farm Lane, Great Bedwyn, Wilts, SN8 3LU

Proposed change of use of existing building to create new residential dwelling, including the demolition and rebuild of part of the structure (the attached outbuildings) and external alterations.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation

Mr Rob Braybrooke, spoke in objection to the application

Mr David Haynes,  spoke in objection to the application.

Mrs Julia Haynes, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Howard Waters, Agent, spoke in support of the application.

MrJulia McIvor, Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Mr Andrew Hutchison, spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Sue Kershaw, Great Bedwyn Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

 

Jonathan James, Senior Planning Officer, presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted with conditions for the proposed change of use of existing building to create a new residential dwelling, including the demolition and rebuild of part of the structure (the attached outbuildings) and external alterations.

 

Key details were stated to include the following, the existing buildings were outbuildings that formed part of the original public house (Cross Keys, 16 High Street), which were the subject of a formal change of use to A2 (Art Consultancy) in January 2017, which also enabled it to be used as A1 (retail uses) under permitted development rights.

 

The site was within the Limits of Development (LoD) of the village of Great Bedwyn, which was defined as a large village. The site was also located within the Great Bedwyn Conservation Area and the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; however, as the site was within the built environment of the village, the landscape setting of the AONB would not be affected by the proposal.

 

On the 30th March 2017 confirmation was provided to the applicant of the current application (18/11901/FUL) that the Cross Keys Inn would not be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) as it had legally changed use to Class A2 use.

 

The current proposal before the committee was for the change of use of the existing building to create a new residential dwelling, including the demolition and rebuild of part of the structure (the attached outbuilding) and external alterations.

 

The main issues to be considered regarding the application were the impact on highway safety, car parking, heritage and the environment. There had also been many concerns and objections from villagers, who had been hoping that the building could be listed as a community asset and possibly turned back into a village pub.

 

The officer stated that all issues detailed in the report had been resolved and that the principle of change of use was good.  The former A4 use was no longer material to the determination of this scheme, which was now considered to be an A2 use and the application was for the change of use of the existing structure in order to create a single residential dwelling within a sustainable location. The scheme was therefore considered to comply with Core Policy 2 and 18 of the WCS (2015) and with the NPPF. Therefore, the recommendation was to approve with conditions.

 

There were no late observations or technical questions.

 

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

33.

18/11701/FUL - Court Close Farm, 2 White Street, Easterton, SN10 4NZ

Demolition of three detached dilapidated buildings and their replacement with a single dwelling including new access.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation

Mr Andy Sheppard, spoke in objection to the application

Ms Nicky Hughes,  spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Imogen Snook-Brown, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Craig Alexander, Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Lt Col Hugo Lloyd, Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Mr John Delaney, resident, spoke in support of the application.

 

Morgan Jones, Senior Planning Officer, presented a report which recommended that planning permission be refused for the Demolition of three detached dilapidated buildings and their replacement with a single dwelling including new access.

 

Key details were stated to include the following: the application property was Court Close Farm, 2 White Street, Easterton which comprised a Grade II Listed Building of 16th century origin and outbuildings. These buildings were within the curtilage of the listed building and were therefore considered to be curtilage listed structures. There were also other buildings on the site, a pole barn and corrugated hut. The application site included the pole barn and corrugated hut and agricultural land to the south and east of the listed dwelling and outbuildings. The site was within the Easterton Conservation Area.

 

The application sought full planning permission to demolish the existing agricultural building within the field and the erection of a dwelling which would be accessed via a new access from the High Street (B3098). The proposal also involved the demolition of the pole barn and corrugated hut building.

 

Core Policy 12 ‘Spatial Strategy: Devizes Community Area’ identified Easterton as a ‘small village’. As such, only ‘infill’ development is acceptable. Infill was defined within the WCS as the filling of a small gap within the village that was only large enough for not more than a few dwellings, generally only one dwelling. The application site lies on the outskirts of the village outside the main built up area of the settlement on agricultural land. As the site was within open countryside, outside the built up area of the village it was therefore considered that the proposed development would not amount to a form of infill. The proposed development was considered to conflict with Chapters 4 & 5 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Core Policies 1, 2, and 12 of the WCS and therefore the principle of residential development was unacceptable in planning policy terms. It was also stated that the application would harm the landscape character. Therefore, the application was recommended for refusal.

 

Attention was drawn to the late observations; three late letters had been received proposing support for the application as it was sympathetic and would improve the area.

 

Members of the committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the issue of infill, it was felt that if the site backs onto gardens, then surely it is within the village boundary and the application could be classed as infill. In response it was stated that infill referred to the filling of a small gap and the small villages do not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

34.

18/11759/VAR - Dauntsey's School, High Street, West Lavington, SN10 4HE

Variation of condition 2 of planning permission K/42974 to allow for different surface material for outdoor sports track, with proposed landscaping to reduce visual impact.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation

Mr Steve Herniman, spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Hilary Stone, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr Dominic Muns, spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Deborah Bray, Founder and Head  Coach of Lavington Athletics, spoke in support of the application.

Ms Fiona Edington, Secretary of the Wiltshire Athletics Association spoke in support of the application.

Mr Stuart Rackum, Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Sandra Gamble of West Lavington Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

 

Morgan Jones, Senior Planning Officer, presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted with conditions for the variation of condition 2 of planning permission K/42974 to allow for different surface material for outdoor sports track, with proposed landscaping to reduce visual impact.

 

Key details were stated to include the following:

 

The application site related to the playing fields at Dauntsey’s School, and in particular the athletics track, which was originally granted planning permission on the 5th November 2013 under planning application ref K/42974. The planning permission was granted for the “change of use of agricultural land to use of playing field and outdoor sports facilities”. The planning permission was subject to conditions which required the approved new landscaping scheme to be installed around the periphery of the land along with its future maintenance and management. The planning permission also removed permitted development rights for the erection of any form of means of enclosure on the application land. The application clearly specified that the surface would be grass.

 

A site plan of the approved location of the athletics track and area was shown to the meeting. The athletics track and area had recently been installed in the approved location, however it had a bright terracotta synthetic surface and area and was surrounded by a white fence which was 1.2m high. The current application therefore sought retrospective planning permission to regularise the appearance of the track and area and the associated fence. The application also proposed some new planting along the south western boundary of the application site in order to screen the track and fence from views from public rights of way on higher ground to the south of the site.

 

Photos were shown from a nearby right of way, on top of Strawberry Hill, which showed the view of the track and area. A mock up photo was also shown that gave an impression of how the site would look once the proposed landscaping had matured.  

 

The Council, as Local Planning Authority had requested that further amendments were made to the proposed development, in line with the recommendations of the Parish Council. For example to change the colour of the track to green and to remove the fencing surrounding the track or paint it a less conspicuous colour. The requests were however refused by the applicant.

 

It was noted that the athletics track would be a valuable resource to the school and community and would promote healthy lifestyles. However, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

19/01651/FUL - Garages adjacent to 112 Waiblingen Way, Devizes, SN10 2BP

Demolition of garages and erection of pair of semi-detached houses.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation

Mr Richard Cosker, Agent, RCC Town Planning, spoke in support of the application.

 

Mike Wilmott, Head of Development Management, presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions for the demolition of garages and erection of pair of semi-detached houses.

 

Key details were stated to include the following: The application site was located off Waiblingen Way in Devizes which was situated in the North Western part of the town. The site currently consisted of 2 rows of garages with turning space in front (21 garages in total). These were privately rented off Aster properties Ltd. 5 of the garages were still in use but these could be accommodated elsewhere.

 

The application proposed the demolition of the existing garage block and erection of a pair of semi-detached 3 bed dwellings.

 

The site was located within the Limits of Development (LoD) of Devizes which was classified as a Market Town within the WCS. Under Core Policies 1 and 2, new residential development of this scale was permitted as it was within the LoD.

 

The site was classified as brownfield land. The WCS highlights the benefits of developing this land first in preference to greenfield sites.

 

In accordance with the WCS, the Devizes NP allows for this type of development as it is within its settlement boundary.

 

The proposed development was considered to be acceptable in principle. The design of the scheme met the standards set out in Core Policy 57 of the WCS and it would not have any harmful impacts to landscape character thus also complying with Core Policy 51.

 

Whilst concerns had been raised about the loss of parking, the Local Highway Authority had raised no objections to the development. The applicants had demonstrated that the loss of the garages would not result in an increase on-street parking as other empty garages on the estate exist that could be taken up.

 

There were no late observations or technical questions.

 

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

 

The unitary division member, Cllr Sue Evans, spoke in objection to the application. Cllr Evans concerns were mainly around the behaviour of Aster Group. It was felt that they raised prices on the garage units deliberately in order to make it unaffordable for tenants, causing them to stop renting and enabling Aster to develop the land.

 

Cllr Mark Connolly proposed a motion to grant planning permission, as per the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway QPM.

 

A debate followed where some Cllrs raised concerns regarding the series of Aster applications which developed garage sites that had been coming to the Committee and the behaviour of the group in relation to this, for example raising rents. Some of the Cllrs had visited Aster Group to raise these issues and Aster had stated that these issues were being addressed. They had agreed to develop policies regarding community engagement and had agreed to communicate these once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

36.

19/01663/VAR - Thatched Cottage, Baldham, Seend, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6PW - APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

Variation of condition 3 of planning permission E/2011/1685/FUL to allow occupation of the annexed accommodation as a separate dwelling unit.

 

Please note that after publication of the agenda this application was withdrawn by the applicant, so it will no longer be considered at the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 25 April 2019.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

After publication of the agenda, this application was withdrawn by the applicant, so was not considered by the Committee.

 

 

37.

Urgent items

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be taken as a matter of urgency 

 

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.