Agenda item

Public Participation

Ms Jan Tomlin, applicant, spoke in support of the application

Ms Catherine Hovey, applicant, spoke in support of the application

Mr Andrew Williamson, of Avebury Parish Council, spoke with regard to the application.

The Development Management Team Leader, Karen Guest, introduced the report which outlined the application for the change of use of the vacant part of an existing building to a book sales/exchange store and a visitor information centre, and confirmed that this included no physical alterationsto the building.

The officer recommended that the application be approved for the reasons set out in the report. Key issues included the principle of the change of use; the impact on heritage assets; the parking implications; and the highway safety impact. The officer highlighted that the proposed use was low key, it would bring an unused building back into use, and that any highway safety impact would not be severe.

Members of the Committee were invited to ask technical questions of the officer. There were none.

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

The local unitary division member, Cllr Jemima Milton, spoke in reference to the application and explained that she was happy to support the application with the conditions outlined in the officer’s report but that she felt it was a shame that the adjoining public toilets had not yet been brought back into use.

Cllr Mark Connolly, seconded by Cllr Jerry Kunkler, moved that the application for planning permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the officer’s report.

In the debate that followed, the following points were discussed: that bringing the property back into community use would be positive; that the “resident-only” status of the adjoining car park should be reinforced; and that the potential impact on the footfall of the post office in another part of the building could also be positive.

At the conclusion of debate, it was

Resolved:

To grant planning permission, subject to the following conditions:

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 and documents: Application Form, Location Plan and Drawing No. AVE-01 Rev 1 'Proposed Shop'.

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

3 The part of the building to which the application relates shall be used as a voluntary book sales/exchange store and visitors information centre and for no other purpose (including any other purpose in Class A1 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) (or in any provisions equivalent to that class in any statutory instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

REASON: The proposed use is acceptable but the Local Planning Authority wish to consider any future proposal for a change of use having regard to the circumstances of the case.

4 INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

The applicant is advised that this permission authorises a change of use only and does not authorise any works or alterations that may require listed building consent/planning permission or the erection of signage which may require advertisement consent.