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 27 July 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July were discussed and Cllr Jackon queried the minute of item 17-12348-OUT - Land East of Damask Way Warminster in respect of access arrangements being delegated to officers. Cllr Davis advised the minutes were accurate, however reassured the local member that reserved matters could be dealt with by the committee if he was to call in the application.  

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July 2018.

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 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 (4 clear working days, e.g. Wednesday of week before a Wednesday meeting) 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 (2 clear working days, eg Friday of week before a Wednesday meeting). 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.

No questions had been received from councillors or members of the public.

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

The Planning Appeals Update Report was attached to the agenda for members’ consideration.

Resolved:

To note the Appeals update provided to the meeting.  

Proposed Coffee Shop unit with external seating area, and associated alterations to car parking and landscaping

Matthew Perks, Senior Planning Officer, presented a report on a proposed coffee shop unit with external seating area and associated alternations to car parking and landscaping within an existing retail park. An outline of the site and photographs were shown alongside a site location plan, existing block plans showing parking plans, landscaping and proposed elevations. The officer advised the key issues for consideration were parking, traffic and effect on the streetscene. It was noted there would be a net reduction of 14 car parking spaces in the retail park as a result of the development. Attention was drawn to the representations that had been received in respect of the application.

Members were invited to ask technical questions, Cllr Kirk highlighted he felt traffic and parking were significant issues and presented photographs to demonstrate this, he questioned a reduction in spaces and an increased amenity in the retail park that would attract more visitors. Officers advised they considered it unlikely the coffee shop would increase footfall in the retail park as it was designed to serve customers already visiting the shops.

It was also established the retail park had provided evidence to suggest its car park was not at maximum capacity and 12 dedicated staff spaces would be provided to near to the service yard. It was confirmed the area at the rear of the retail park was not currently open the public and there was mains sewage for the retail park. Members expressed concern about the turning circle for lorries in the location where parking had been indicated, officers confirmed the turning circle was sufficient. The committee went on to question the exit route from the car park, establishing that movement from the spaces outside of the proposed unit would block the exit route from the retail park.

Members of the public were invited to speak.

Helen Keston-Sykes spoke in objection to the application.

Colin Burnett, agent, spoke in support of the application and established the net reduction in car parking spaces in the officer’s report was correct.

The local member, Cllr Graham Payne spoke of the history of the site and objected to the application on traffic and parking grounds.

In response to queries, it was verified the Traffic Management Plan indicated delivery times and this information was considered by officers to be sufficient. It was also highlighted that parking spaces would need to be coned off in advance to allow for deliveries; officers advised this was not considered by the applicant to a problem due to capacity in the car park.

Cllr Fuller, as a Trowbridge councillor, spoke about the history of the site, neighbouring residential amenity and traffic/parking concerns. Members discussed the merits of a site visit.

Cllr Seed reflected on concerns raised, however highlighted evidence suggested car parking on the site was sufficient. Cllr Seed moved the officer’s recommendation subject to an amendment to conditions to prevent service delivery for the coffee shop prior to 7:30 and after 18:00, in the interest of residential amenity. A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To draw members’ attention to the Councillors Briefing Note on the revisions to the NPPF

Members were invited to ask questions on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. It was confirmed that, under the new guidance, contribution rates for developers would be set in advance of purchasing a site. In addition to this, members noted that viability assessments would now be in the public domain and that Wiltshire Council was confident it would pass housing delivery assessments.

Resolved:

To note the Briefing Note on the revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework.

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.