Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies were received from:

·       Cllr Howard Greenman was substituted by Cllr Peter Hutton.

·       Cllr David Bowler was substituted by Cllr Clare Cape.

·       Cllr Nic Puntis was substituted by Cllr Tom Rounds.

To approve as a true and correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 August 2023.

On the proposal of Cllr Gavin Grant, seconded by Cllr Chuck Berry, it was:

Resolved

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23 August 2023, as a true and correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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 no later than 10 minutes before the start of the meeting. If it is on the day of the meeting registration should be done in person.

The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are linked to 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 September 2023 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 September 2023. 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 Committee noted the rules on public participation.

Cllr Jacqui Lay joined the meeting at 2:06pm.

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

Cllr Steve Bucknell noted that he would welcome further information about the number of successful and unsuccessful appeals against the decisions made by the Committee.

On the proposal of Cllr Gavin Grant, seconded by Cllr Martin Smith, it was:

Resolved

To note the report on planning appeals and updates.

Erection of a new data centre, plant, highways works, vehicle access, infrastructure, enclosures, landscaping and other associated works. 

Public Participation

·       Tim Gent (Savills) spoke in support of the application.

·       Robert Silvester (Ark Data Centres) spoke in support of the application.

The Development Management Team Leader, Simon Smith, introduced a report which recommended that the application for the erection of a new data centre, plant, highways works, vehicle access, infrastructure, enclosures, landscaping and other associated works, be approved. Key details were stated to include the principal of development, access, parking and landscaping as well as the visual impact of the new buildings on surrounding residential areas.

Attention was drawn to the location of the proposed development on the Spring Park complex, an area of ex-military buildings converted for employment uses. The application site was immediately adjacent to existing development land used for similar purposes, and was of similar scale, so complied with Core Policy 34 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. It was also noted that Corsham Town Council were supportive of the application subject to sufficient planting to help screen the building.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer.

In response to queries, the Development Management Team Leader acknowledged that the proposed development would have an impact on the character of Rowan Lane, but explained that this was deemed to be acceptable and highlighted that a number of conditions had been imposed and landscaping scheme. He clarified that the existing buildings on the site did not make lots of noise and Wiltshire Public Protection Team had not raised objections in relation to the possibility of incremental noise increases impacting potential future developments.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to Committee as detailed above. The representative from Ark Data Centres confirmed that the centre would employ adiabatic cooling to regulate temperature, so there would be limited scope to recover excess heat.

Cllr Dr Brian Mathew read out a statement on behalf of the unitary division member, Cllr Derek Walters.

So that the Committee had something to debate, Cllr Steve Bucknell, seconded by Cllr Peter Hutton, proposed that the application be granted in line with the recommendations outlined in the report.

A debate followed where it was discussed whether it would be possible to condition the colour and shading of the building. The Development Management Team Leader confirmed that it would be possible to delegate to officers an additional condition about the gradation of colourisation of the external cladding. 

Cllr Dr Mathew proposed an amendment that a potential condition about the colouring of the building was delegated to officers. Cllr Dr Mathew’s proposal was accepted by Cllr Bucknell and Cllr Hutton, the proposer and seconder of the original motion, so was added to the substantive motion. The substantive motion then went to a vote and it was:

RESOLVED: That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendation subject to the potential for an additional condition, relating to the gradation of colouration on the cladding being discussed with the applicant prior to issue of decision, being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Erection of Class E foodstore, car parking, works to create community open space, new access, landscaping and associated works 

Public Participation

·       Daniel Preece (Lidl Great Britain Ltd) spoke in support of the application.

·       Cllr Steve Walls (Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council) spoke in opposition to the application.

The Senior Planning Officer, Olivia Tresise, introduced a report which recommended that the application for the erection of a Class E food store with associated car parking, works to create open community space, new access, landscaping and associated works, be granted. Key details were stated to include the scale of development, its visual impact and design, as well as the environmental and highway impacts.

She reminded the Committee that they had agreed to defer the application, that was originally bought to them in June, until clarity on such issues as foul water sewage and the proposed parkland could be provided. Attention was drawn to the late submissions from Royal Wootton Town Council, Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust’s Active Travel Group and the applicant. The submissions, along with responses from officers, were included in Agenda Supplement 1. The Senior Planning Officer explained that she had amended conditions 9, 10 and 15, related to drainage, or landscaping, listed in her original report to reflect officer responses to the late submissions. Full details of the revised conditions were listed on pages 7-9 of Agenda Supplement 1. 

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the issue of road safety, including fears that children would use the crossing to access a nearby sports facility. The Senior Planning Officer advised that Wiltshire Council’s Highway Officer strongly resisted any proposals to relocate the proposed raised table crossing closer to the proposed access for the site, due to safety concerns.

The Senior Planning Officer noted that the care home adjacent to the site had withdrawn its proposals to install a private sewage treatment plant and would instead implement the original rising main drainage scheme.

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

The unitary division member, Cllr Steve Bucknell then spoke in opposition to the application. He urged the Committee to consider the application on the assumption that the proposed community parkland would not go ahead as the applicant was not the landowner.

So the Committee had something to debate, Cllr Peter Hutton, seconded by Cllr Tom Rounds, proposed a motion that permission for the application be granted in line with officer recommendations, as amended in Agenda Supplement 1.

A debate followed where issues including road safety, drainage and conditions that could be applied to the parkland were discussed. It was noted that land allocated near to the site, for a potential 200 new homes, could not be considered as part of this application.

The Chairman proposed an amendment to the motion to stipulate conditions on the timing of tree planting on the nearby parkland, specifically that this should be done in advance of the occupation of the supermarket. This was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer, Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Reserved Matters Application Dealing with the Scale, Layout, External Appearance, Landscaping and Means of Access for Residential Development of 26 Entry Level Dwellings and Associated Works, Following Outline Permission Ref 19/11601/OUT.

Public Participation

·       Mr Andrew Stevens spoke in objection to the application.

·       Mr Ioan Rees spoke in objection to the application.

·       Ms Anne Henshaw (The Countryside Charity) spoke in objection to the application.

·       Mr James Broome (Woodsome Estates) spoke in support of the application.

·       Mr David Rhodes ((RHaR – (Rhodes Architects LLP)) spoke in support of the application.

·       Mr Paul Walsh (Selwood Housing Association) spoke in support of the application. 

·       Cllr Doug Price (Calne Without Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application.

Senior Planning Officer, Peter Crozier, introduced a report which recommended that the reserved matters application dealing with the scale, layout, external appearance, landscaping and means of access for a residential development of 26 entry level dwellings and associated works, be approved. Key details were stated to include the visual, design and environmental impact of the development as well as its relationship to neighbouring properties. It was noted that outline planning permission for the development had been granted in June 2021.

Attention was drawn to amendments to the drawings made during the application process to address comments from technical consultees, including a reduction in the number of red brick dwellings. The site’s location in open countryside outside of Calne’s settlement boundary was highlighted. However, it was observed that outline planning permission had been granted on an exception basis, as all of the dwellings would be affordable as defined by Annex 2 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Senior Planning Officer noted the likely need for an additional condition relating to appropriate tree protection.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the access to the site. The Senior Planning Officer explained that the access arrangements had to be in compliance with the outline planning permission granted in June 2021. He confirmed that there was bicycle access, and each property would have its own bike storage. He was not aware of any previous flooding to the site and noted that the proposed development site was in Flood Zone 1.

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

In response to the points raised by the public, the Senior Planning Officer stated that Wiltshire Council’s Highway’s Officer had raised no objection to the scheme. He also noted that the proposed development contained a large number of solar panels despite an overall reduction from the original proposals to increase the number of properties with hipped roof-forms. Changes to the number of hipped roofs had been introduced as a result of comments by Wiltshire’s Urban Design Officer.

So that the Committee had something to debate, Cllr Peter Hutton, seconded by Cllr Elizabth Threlfall, proposed that permission for the reserved matters application be granted, subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

A debate followed whether issues such as access, solar panels, and disruption during construction were discussed. The size of, and access route for, vehicles during construction was discussed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Development of a new Local Centre comprising a Class E(f) day nursery and Class E(a) convenience store, with associated parking, access and landscaping. 

Public Participation

·       Ms Caroline Richardson (Aspbury Planning, on behalf of Latestop) spoke in objection to the application.

·       Ms Anne Henshaw (The Countryside Charity) spoke in objection to the application.

·       Mr Damian Barry (RPS Consulting) spoke in support of the application.

·       Mr Ioan Rees made a neutral statement broadly supportive of the application.

·       Cllr Doug Price (Calne Without Parish Council) spoke in favour of deferring the application.

Senior Planning Officer, Peter Cozier, introduced a report which recommended that the application for the development of a new local centre comprising Class E(f) day nursery and a Class E(a) convenience store with associated access and landscaping, be approved. Key details were stated to include the principal of development, visual impact, highway impact, sustainability, noise, and drainage.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the site was located on a parcel of land situated at the junction of Spitfire Road and Abberd Lane, outside of the defined settlement boundary. The application was very closely linked to another application PL/2022/07893, which was seeking outline planning permission for 100 houses. However, as this application was yet to come to Committee, as there were still a number of outstanding technical matters to be resolved, Cllr Tony Trotman had called in the application due to concerns about considering the application for the day nursery and convenience store in isolation from the proposed housing development.

Attention was drawn to amendments made during the course of the determination of the application, such as the removal of an acoustic fence, intended to shield the proposed adjoining housing development and a minor change to the proposed access. It was also noted that there had been some late comments from Wiltshire Council’s Landscape Officer.

Members of the Committee then had the chance to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on whether the proposed development would contain solar panels. It was confirmed that there would be four electric vehicle charging points but no solar panels. It was also stated that Wiltshire’s Department for Education and Skills had not been consulted on the proposals for the nursery. Furthermore, it was clarified that conditions relating to outdoor storage did not make any specific reference to the front of the property.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee as detailed above. The Chairman then made a statement in his capacity as one of the local unitary division members, as access to the site went partially through his division. 

So that the Committee had something to debate, the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Clare Cape, proposed that the application be deferred until plans for housing came forward so that the design of, and need for, the development could be better assessed.

A debate eschewed about whether it would be possible to defer the application. It was also noted that developers were often criticised for not putting in infrastructure in advance of new housing. The Development Management Team Leader urged caution about deferring the application on grounds of prematurity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Single storey extension to side and rear of property. Extension to have a wheelchair accessible bedroom and shower room, connected onto existing ground floor of property with wheelchair access onto entire ground floor and access to front and garden.

The Conservation and Planning Officer, Stefan Galyas, introduced a report which recommended that the application for single storey side and rear extensions to two-storey semi-detached dwelling be approved, subject to conditions. It was noted that the proposals included a wheelchair accessible bedroom and shower room connecting to the existing ground floor. Key details were stated to include the principal of development, visual impact and impact on residential amenity.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. It was confirmed that it would be possible to condition a potential additional first floor extension under permitted development.

There was no public participation but the unitary division member, Cllr Jacqui Lay, spoke on the application.

So the Committee had something to debate, Cllr Lay, seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant, proposed that the application be granted in line with officer recommendation.

A debate followed where it was confirmed that an informative could be added to advise that the extension should not be demolished when the current resident vacates the property.

Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall proposed an amendment to add a condition to remove permitted development rights for future additional extensions above the proposed single storey extension, which was accepted by Cllr Lay and Cllr Grant.

Following the vote, it was:

RESOLVED: To GRANT permission in accordance with officer recommendation, with the addition of condition withdrawing permitted development rights in respect of building upwards.

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:

25189/1 Existing Floor Plan

25189/2B Proposed Floor Plan

25189/3 Existing Proposed Front and Rear Elevations

25189/4 Existing Proposed Side Elevations25189/5 Site Block Plan

SU0987 Site Location Plan

All received 21st April 2023

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

3. The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the

development hereby permitted shall match be as stated on the approved plans,

application form and submitted documentation.

REASON: In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

4. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), no additional storey shall be added to the single storey extension hereby permitted.

REASON: In the interests of the amenity of the area.

Informatives:

1. Any alterations to the approved plans, brought about by compliance with Building Regulations or any other reason must first be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority before commencement of work.

2. The applicant is requested to note that this permission does not affect any private property rights and therefore does not authorise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

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.