Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2015.

The Chairman presented the minutes of the previous meeting and noted that Cllr Ernie Clark was now a substitute member of the Committee and this would be reflected on future agendas.

Resolved:

To approve as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2015.

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 Chairman.

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 in person no later than 2:50pm 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 no later than 5pm on Wednesday 20 January.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.

To consider and determine planning application as detailed below:

Martin Spooner, John Gundry and Jessica Branton spoke against the application.

Chris Geddes spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Roger Budgen (Malmesbury Town Council) spoke against the application.

The planning officer introduced the report which recommended to delegate authority to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement and the conditions and informatives, as amended by the late observations, outlined in the report.  The application was for the demolition of existing dwellings and redevelopment to build 26 sheltered apartments for the elderly; photographs of the site and neighbouring buildings were shown. The officer highlighted on the plans that the existing lay-by would be extended as a result of the development and the design was in a contemporary style, as supported by the Conservation Officer. It was noted that concerns had been raised by the public and Town Council in relation to highways matters and drainage, however the Planning Authority’s statutory consultees on these matters had raised no concerns, subject to the proposed conditions. Attention was drawn to the late observations which amended proposed condition number 26

The Committee was invited to ask technical questions and it was confirmed that the waiting restrictions from the existing lay-by would continue on the extended lay-by, therefore prohibiting parking. Roger Witt, Senior Highways Engineer, confirmed that he considered the proposed parking onsite to be adequate, since occupants of this type of accommodation were generally aged over 75 and therefore car ownership would be low. Parking had been set aside for electric buggies on site. The Case Officer confirmed that the Environment Agency and other statutory consultees on flooding and drainage had raised no concerns, subject to conditions. 

Members of the public were then invited to speak as detailed above.

Local member, Cllr Simon Killane, was not able to attend the meeting, the Chairman raised concerns on his behalf in relation to: highways safety, insufficient resident and visitor parking, flooding and drainage, a design inappropriate to the street scene and the need for a Construction Method Statement.

Following the statements, the planning officer advised that a Construction Method Statement was required by way of condition. The Highways Engineer verified that the extension of the lay-by would not result in a loss of two existing parking spaces and the lay-by would prevent parking by way of double yellow lines, leaving it free for service vehicles.  It was explained that the applicant had submitted surveys from similar sites to show that the average demand for parking at this type of dwelling was lower than proposed for this site. Officers highlighted that they did not have concerns over parking provision and that refuse collection and deliveries could be serviced from the layby. The planning officer advised that condition 15 related to floor levels and the building would be above the flood level. A drainage strategy would be required, should permission be granted, this would address issues such as permeable surfaces. It was noted that the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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.