Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllr Brian Mathew and Cllr Kelvin Nash. Cllr Kelvin Nash was replaced for this meeting by Cllr Caroline Thomas.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2022 were presented for consideration.

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes as a true and correct record, subject to minute 28 including reference to Cllr Caroline Thomas reading an email from North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty objecting to the Rabley House planning application.

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

Cllr Paul Oatway reported that, in relation to the planning application submitted by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Land North of Quakers Road and South of Parkfields, Devizes, he had previously been employed by the Chief Constable for Wiltshire, although this would not effect his consideration of the application.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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 22 February 2022 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 22 February 2022.

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 join the online 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 17 February 2022in 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 21 February 2022.

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.

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

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

Resolved:

To note the report on completed and pending appeals.

To consider and determine the following planning applications.

The following planning applications were considered:

Residential development of up to 57 dwellings together with new vehicular accesses onto Parkfields and Quakers Road, parking, pedestrian links, areas of public open space and landscaping (outline application; details relating to access)

Public Participation:

·       David Dawson - spoke in objection to the application

·       David Fellows – spoke in objection to the application

·       Simon Handy – agent – spoke in support of the application

·       Cllr Richard Oliver OBE – Devizes Town Council spoke in objection to the application

Andrew Guest, Head of Development Management presented the report which recommended that the Head of Development Management be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to first the completion of a S106 agreement within 6 months of the resolution date and subject to conditions detailed in the report.

The officer stated that the main considerations in this application are, firstly, the principle; and then detailed matters including highway safety, visual amenity, ecology, heritage impact, and residential amenity.

The officer advised that the site comprises c. 2.53 ha of mainly open land located on the north side of Devizes, within its defined ‘Market Town’ limits of development. The larger part of the site can reasonably be described as an enclosed field, although with some central small tree groups and a hard-surfaced area on its east side (former tennis courts, long-term dis-used). On its north side the site also includes sections of Parkfields road, including three ‘islands’ of open space. The site is generally level. To the south-east side of the site is London Road (A361). To the south side is Quakers Road, with the Wiltshire Police Headquarters beyond. To the south -west side is The Trinity Primary School. To the west, north and east sides is Parkfields road and a footpath link to London Road, with residential properties beyond. The site is enclosed by fencing and/or hedgerows with existing access gates from Parkfields. In planning policy terms the site lies within the limits of development of Devizes ‘Market Town’. The site has no specific land use designation.

The report detailed the responses to the consultation and representations received. It was noted that the application has been the subject of two rounds of public consultation. On both occasions Devizes Town Council has raised objections. The first consultation round generated 94 representations (all objections). The second consultation round generated 45 representations (all objections). All representations – first and second round – remain relevant to the determination of the application.

In response to technical questions asked by the Committee the officer explained that in comparison to other roads in the vicinity, the application site was adequate for its purpose, although it would be widened in part from c. 4.5m to 5m; Existing green verges would be used to construct new footpaths; it was confirmed that the green space through the centre of the development would be sufficient to sustain the resident badgers and bats; road access to and from the site was double width to accommodate cars in both directions.   

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

A statement objecting to the application from the unitary division member, Cllr Laura Mayes was circulated to the Committee prior to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Detached dwelling (Resubmission of PL/2021/05314).

Public Participation:

·       Phil Jenkins - agent spoke in support of the application

Meredith Baker, Senior Conservation/Planning Officer presented the report which recommended that the planning permission be refused, for reasons detailed in the report, for a detached dwelling (resubmission of PL/2021/05314).

The officer stated that the proposed development is considered to give rise to unacceptable impacts upon the character of the area as a result of the overdevelopment of the site in a plot which is out of keeping with the pattern of development. The proposal would also result in inadequate amenity space for the future occupants of the three bedroomed dwelling and would adversely impact on neighbours’ amenities in terms of overlooking from the first-floor bedroom window. There are no benefits that would outweigh the harm generated.

The officer advised that the site is located within the settlement of Devizes and comprises the land that was previously part of the residential curtilage of 15 Longcroft Crescent. As confirmed in the Planning Statement the land is now no longer part of the residential land known as 15 Longcroft Crescent and is known as 17 Pines Road. The site is situated to the south of the highway of Pines Road in a residential estate. To the immediate east are two storey semi-detached pairs and to the west and south are single storey bungalows.

The report detailed the responses to the consultation and representations received. It was noted that Devizes Town Council raised no objection to the application and Wiltshire Council highways raised issues about the visibility splays, resurfacing parking areas and informative note about vehicle crossover permission. A summary of the 2 third party letters of representation, raising objections, were detailed in the report.

In response to technical questions asked by the Committee the officer confirmed that the principle of development is acceptable, however, the proposal for a 2 storey dwelling is considered overdevelopment, the lack of amenity space is considered unacceptable for the future needs of the occupants contrary to Core Policy 57, and the Committee need to consider the application before them, any material changes, such as the relocation of the window to the third bedroom to remove the issue of overlooking, would require the Committee to defer the application.  

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

The unitary division member, Cllr Kelvin Nash spoke in support of the application. Cllr Nash indicated that the area was well known to him. He disagreed with the report describing the dwelling as out of keeping with the Streetscene. He explained that the materials are a very good match to others in the immediate vicinity, the amenity space was similar to some other dwellings in the area, overlooking of neighbouring properties was not too much of an issue, and over shadowing in the garden next door had minimal impact and was acceptable. He referred to the representations received and felt that the proposal was well designed. He urged the Committee to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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.