Browse

Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Assembly Room, The Town Hall, St. John's Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1BN

Contact: Stuart Figini  Email:  stuart.figini@wiltshire.gov.uk (Senior Democratic Services Officer)

Items
No. Item

21.

Apologies

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Anthony Pickernell. Cllr Pickernell was replaced for this meeting by Cllr James Sheppard.

 

22.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2021.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2021 were presented for consideration.

 

Resolved:

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

 

23.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

24.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

Minutes:

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

 

25.

Public Participation

To ensure Wiltshire Council COVID-19 public health guidance is adhered to, a
capacity limit for public attendance at this meeting will be in place. You must
contact the officer named on this agenda no later than 5pm on Tuesday 30
November 2021 if you wish to attend this meeting. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and all requests may not be accommodated if there is high demand.

 

Statements

Members of the public who wish to submit a statement in relation to an item on this agenda should submit this in writing to the officer named on this agenda no later than 5pm on Tuesday 30 November.

 

Submitted statements should:

 

·       State whom the statement is from (including if representing another person or organisation);

·       State clearly whether the statement is in objection to or support of the application;

·       Be readable aloud in approximately three minutes (for members of the public and statutory consultees) and in four minutes (for parish council representatives – 1 per parish council).

 

Up to three objectors and three supporters are normally allowed for each item on the agenda, plus statutory consultees and parish councils.

 

Those submitting statements would be expected to attend the meeting to read the statement themselves, or to provide a representative to read the statement on their behalf.

 

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 electronically to the officer named on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm on Thursday 25 November 2021in order to be guaranteed of a written response.

 

In order to receive a verbal response questions must be submitted no later than 5pm on Monday 29 November 2021.

 

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 members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website. Questions and answers will normally be taken as read at the meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman detailed the procedure for the meeting and the procedures for public participation which were set out at item 5 of the agenda.

 

26.

Planning Appeals and Updates

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

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:

To note the report on completed and pending appeals.

 

27.

Planning Applications

To consider and determine the following planning applications.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The following planning applications were considered:

 

28.

PL/2021/06348 - Rabley House Poulton nr. Marlborough SN8 2LW

Retrospective installation of stable windows and external door to tack room to existing barn and external lighting.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation:

 

·       Meryl Ainslie spoke in objection to the application

·       Corinne Ashbee spoke in objection to the application

·       Alison Gill spoke in support of the application

·       Lissa Green spoke in support of the application

·       Cllr Brian Devonshire, Deputy Chairman of Mildenhall Parish Council spoke in objection to the application

 

Jonathan James, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be approved with conditions and informatives for the retrospective installation of stable windows and external door to tack room to existing barn and external lighting.

 

The officer stated that the main issues for consideration by the Committee included (i) the impact on visual amenity, including Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and design; and (ii) impact on residential amenity.

 

The officer advised that the site is located on a hill to the north of Mildenhall and north-east of Marlborough, up a single-track lane within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The area is primarily agricultural fields with a few dwellings and buildings located within the local area. Adjacent to the site are a pair of semi-detached dwellings which face
onto the southern boundary of the site, with an access road to a garage between the boundary of the site and the frontages of the dwellings. The gardens associated with the cottages are to the rear of the dwellings, sloping down the hill. The barn is designated for equestrian purposes.

 

The officer detailed the responses to the consultation and representations received. It was noted that highways and public protection had no adverse comments to make on the application, the ANOB unit did not make any representations and comments from Mildenhall Parish Council were detailed in the report. A summary of the 27 letters of representation, 25 objecting and 2 in support, were detailed in the report.

 

The Committee noted that a number of windows had been inserted on the south west and north east elevations of the building along with a single door. In addition, five external sensor lights have been installed on the building, two either end of the building and three along the north east elevation. The planning officer considered that the works undertaken to the barn are acceptable in planning terms, although it was acknowledged there is a degree of impact on the neighbours but not to such an extent as to warrant the refusal of planning permission, particularly if the suggested conditions were imposed.

 

In response to technical questions asked by the Committee the officer confirmed that the original floor height had not changed from the previous application, the new windows on the north east elevation face onto the 2 cottages, and the inspection by officers were undertaking during the daytime (the Environmental Health Officer visited later in the afternoon/early evening).

 

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

 

The unitary division member, Cllr Caroline Thomas spoke in objection to the application. Cllr Thomas urged the Committee to consider the current application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

PL/2021/08195 - Rose Villa, Roundway, Devizes, SN10 2HY

Erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings, car parking, access and associated works.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation:

 

·       Chris Coombe, the applicant spoke in support of the application

 

Jonathan James, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be refused for the   erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings, car parking, access and associated works.

 

The officer stated that the main issues for consideration by the Committee included concerns about the location of the site, in a location that would be wholly reliant on the private motor car for access to everyday facilities, job opportunities and services and would be contrary to the requirements of both local and national policy in directing development to sustainable locations. The development would also have an urbanising effect on the rural character of the area. There are no benefits that would outweigh this harm.

 

The officer advised that the site is located the site is located in the hamlet of Roundway and comprises the garden of ‘Rose Villa’, an existing semi-detached house set within a very generous plot. The area has a distinct rural
character, with a single track road running through the hamlet and properties set within generous, spacious plots. These enhance the appearance of the area. Access into the site exists at present, off the adjoining highway through Roundway from the south. There is an existing garage associated with the main dwelling at the southern end of the garden and further parking to the rear of the existing dwelling, to the east of the site.

 

The officer detailed the responses to the consultation from Devizes Town Council, Highways and Archaeology. There were also comments from CPRE and a neighbour.

 

Further detailed comments on the principle of development, visual impact, impact on heritage assets and highway safety impact/parking were contained in the report. The officer concluded that overall, the application is not sustainable development. On balance it is considered that the proposed development would be contrary to the policies of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (2015) and guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

 

In response to technical questions asked by the Committee the officer confirmed that a motor vehicle would be necessary to travel to Devizes as there was no particularly safe route to walk, the application site was outside the settlement boundary and classified as a small village, and the proposal could not be considered as infill development as it was not between two properties.  

 

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

 

The unitary division member, Cllr Laura Mayes spoke in support of the application. Cllr Mayes confirmed that it would take 20 minutes to walk into Devizes town centre from Roundway, the development was very sustainable and close to employment sites, schools, parks and shops. There had been no objections from village residents. 

 

So that the Committee had something to debate Cllr Brian Mathew proposed a motion to approve the application. This was seconded by Cllr Kelvin Nash.

 

A debate followed where Members expressed their support for the application.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

PL/2021/04650 - Land south of West Kennett Farm, East Kennett

Temporary Rural Worker Dwelling and Replacement Stabling.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation:

 

·       Lucy Ralph, agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application

·       Mark Humphries, on behalf of East Kennett Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application

 

RuaridhO’Donoghue, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be approved with conditions for temporary rural worker dwelling and replacement stabling.

 

The officer stated that the main issues for consideration by the Committee included:

 

·       The principle of a new countryside dwelling in this isolated position, with particular regard to the functional need and financial ‘tests’ established in former PPG7 Annex A which appeal inspectors have satisfied to use as a framework for establishing the justification for such dwellings (CP 48);

·       Whether the scheme constitutes high quality design (CP 57);

·       Whether the scheme would have an acceptable landscape impact (CP 51);

·       Whether the scheme would impact upon any attributes of Outstanding Universal Value within the Avebury WHS (CP 69);

·       Whether the proposal will have an acceptable impact upon any Archaeology on the site; and,

·       Whether the proposal would have a negative effect upon highway safety, including if there is sufficient parking for the proposed development (CP 61 and 64);

 

The officer advised that the site concerned land off byway EKEN2 which is located to the south of West Kennet and to the north-west of East Kennet. The byway can be accessed via Gunsite Road and adjoined on all sides by agricultural land. It is considered to be open countryside, and its surroundings lie within the North Wessex Downs AONB and Avebury World Heritage Site.

 

The officer explained that in principle, the application meets the requirements of Core Policy 48 in that there is a functional and financial justification for the dwelling. In addition, support is met from paragraph 84 of the NPPF which seeks to ensure a prosperous rural economy. As such, there is no ‘in principle’ objection to the development.


Officers consider the design of the scheme to be in broad accordance with the requirements of Core Policy 57 of the WCS – the dwelling itself being temporary and the stables being of similar appearance and scale to the existing ones on the site. A reason for refusal would therefore not be warranted on design grounds.


Overall, the visual impact of the scheme upon the AONB landscape would not be significant. This conclusion is drawn when taking account of existing planting, the undulating topography, and the limited public vantage points of the site. Landscape character would thus be reserved in accordance with Core Policy 51 of the WCS. For similar reasons, and the fact the site itself does not contain any archaeological or monumental features, it is not considered that the scheme would harm the Avebury World Heritage Site or any of its attributes of Outstanding Universal Value to an extent that would justify refusing planning permission. Therefore, the scheme is considered to comply with Core Policy 59 of the WCS.


Whilst accepting that access onto the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

PL/2021/07750 - Soley House, West Soley, Chilton Foliat, RG17 0GW

Erection of a farm manager's annexe (gate house) to Soley House.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Public Participation:

 

·       Adrian Gott, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

·       Steven Abbott, agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

Ruaridh O’Donoghue, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be refused for the erection of a farm manager’s annexe (gate house) to Soley House.

 

The officer stated that the main issues for consideration by the Committee included:

 

·       The principle of a new countryside dwelling in this isolated position, with particular regard to the functional need and financial ‘tests’ established in former PPG7 Annex A which appeal inspectors have satisfied to use as a framework for establishing the justification for such dwellings (CP 48);

 

·       Whether the scheme constitutes high quality design (CP 57);

 

·       Whether the scheme would have an acceptable landscape impact (CP 51); and,

 

·       Whether the proposal would have a negative effect upon highway safety, including if there is sufficient parking for the proposed development (CP 61 and 64);

 

The officer advised that the site related to Soley House, near Chilton Foliat. The property is a large, detached dwelling with extensive grounds lying within the open countryside in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

 

The officer confirmed that the application seeks full planning permission for the provision of an annexe / Gate Lodge at Soley House, West Soley, Hungerford. The proposed unit of accommodation would be physically detached from the main dwellinghouse and its occupiers would not be reliant
on the main dwellinghouse due to the proposed accommodation and facilities to be provided within the unit. As such, the unit of accommodation cannot be classed as ancillary accommodation. A new unit of accommodation is proposed, which would function independently from the main dwellinghouse. Whilst it is recognised that the security function the dwelling could provide has been designed to support the primary use of the planning unit i.e., provide security to the country house, its primary role is intended to be that of an agricultural worker’s dwelling.


Based on the information submitted as part of the application the Local Planning Authority did not consider that there was a robust justification, or valid planning ‘need’ based on local planning policy, resulting in the requirement for the erection of a Gate Lodge to accommodate a farm worker/security personnel.


It is recognised that a unit of accommodation could be sensitively designed to respond to the context of the site and reduce its visual impact, however the provision of a new building and a more formal entrance would undoubtably impact on the existing open character of the site and the visually subtle entrance to the country house. Whist the AONB Unit does not object to the proposal due to its landscape impact the principle of the development
cannot be supported.


The surrender of planning permission ref E/10/1481/FUL for the new indoor swimming pool and 20/04295/FUL for the ancillary accommodation do not justify the provision of the proposed Gate House.

 

The report highlighted that there were no responses to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

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.