Agenda item

David Pearce spoke in support of the application.

Suzanne Holdem spoke in opposition to the application.

Cllr Jeanne Bush, Nettleton Parish Council, and Cllr Bob Veitch, Marshfield Parish Council, spoke in opposition to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. The application was for the erection of a general purpose agricultural building in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Planning Officer noted that the Cotswolds Conservation Board had objected to the original application but had withdrawn this objection following changes to the scheme.

Attention was drawn to a number of late items and the Planning Officer explained that North Wraxall Parish Council objected to the proposal due to the prominent position in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the impact on the surrounding road network. It was highlighted that Highways and South Gloucester Council had been consulted and both considered the access to be acceptable.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions and the Planning Officer explained that there was no intention in the proposal to connect the agricultural building to services; it was assumed that water was to be brought onsite and that sewerage was to be taken offsite.

It was also confirmed that the description of the development as a general purpose agricultural building was a technical planning term. The Planning Officer explained that the information in the application set out the more specific use to accommodate the calving of cows. Though it was added that the building may have other uses for storage depending on the time of the year.

Members of the public then addressed the Committee as detailed above.

The Planning Officer responded to comments from the public and confirmed that no objections were raised by Highways or the Archaeological Officer.

Cllr Toby Sturgis spoke on behalf of the local member, Cllr Jane Scott OBE, and expressed sympathy with the objections of North Wraxall Parish Council. It was explained that the two main concerns were the effects on the landscape and the road network. It was noted that the Cotswold Conservation Board and the Landscape Officer had no objections but highlighted that the site was highly visible and improvements could be made to reduce the visibility of the site.

Concern was expressed that the large, modern machinery was not appropriate for the roads in the area. It was also highlighted that there were limited facts available regarding the potential traffic issues in the area should the proposal be granted.

In the debate that followed, the Committee considered whether there was sufficient information to properly assess the visual impact of the proposal and its potential effect on local road networks.

Resolved:

To DEFER for two cycles to obtain further information about:

1.    The traffic issues specific to the site;

2.    The height of the bund;

3.    Question 5 of the application form specifically relating to the split between arable land, grassland, and woodland;

4.    Question 9 of the application form, specifically what items were to be stored in the building.