Agenda item

There were no public speakers.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application, which was for the erection of 2 No 10 metre high chimneys in association with onsite biomass boilers within approved building. A presentation was delivered showing a site location plan and proposed plans. It was explained that a previous application for the erection of 2 chimneys at this site had been refused, for lack of information being provided to enable Members to determine the application. It was confirmed that all information had now been provided and the Officer’s recommendation was for approval. Attention was also drawn to the Late Observations, which provided for an additional condition requiring the colour of the flue to be non-reflective and requiring written approval of Planning Officers. 

Councillors were invited to ask technical questions and in response Officers confirmed that the chimneys were going to be used to burn wood and that it could be conditioned that the chimneys would need to be removed if no longer required for the use specified in the documentation.

Cllr Alan Hill spoke as Local Member, against the application. He maintained that the application should be refused on the same grounds as the previous application. He stated that there was not enough additional information provided. He explained that the area concerned was becoming increasingly residential and would soon have hundreds of homes, on 3 sides of the site. Comparison was made to the requirements placed on Hills Recycling Centre,  which he stated faced stricter controls, and that the current application should not be approved, without the same impact assessments being made.

In the debate that followed, Cllr Peter Hutton proposed the Officer’s recommendation for approval, with additional conditions for removal of the chimneys, should they no longer be required for their specified use.  This was seconded by Cllr Toby Sturgis but voted against by the majority.

Cllr Gavin Grant proposed a motion for refusal of the application, stating that not enough information had been provided and for the application to be refused as contrary to CP 51, 55, 57(7) and 59 of  Wiltshire Core Strategy. This was seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew and Cllr Peter Hutton requested a recorded vote, which received the requisite number of supporters. Councillors Greenman, Groom, Lay, Mathew and Grant voted in support of this motion. Councillors Berry, Hutton, Sturgis, Hurst and Trotman voted against the motion. Cllr Ashley O’Neil abstained. As Chairman Cllr Tony Trotman had the casting vote, so the motion was defeated.

Cllr Hutton, again, proposed the Officer’s recommendation for approval, with the additional condition for the removal of the chimneys, should they no longer be required for their specified use. This was seconded by Cllr Lay and approved by the majority.

Resolved:

To GRANT permission as per recommendations, with the following additional conditions:

Approved at Committee:

Should the chimneys hereby approved no longer be required for the purpose specified in the submitted documentation. The Chimneys shall be removed from the building and site within 3 months from their last use and the building made good.

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

Late Observations:

Prior to the commencement of development details of the finished colour of the flue hereby approved, which shall be non reflective, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: In the interests of the visual amenity of the area and to ensure a satisfactory appearance of the development.

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 No development shall commence on site until details of the external finish and colour to be used on the development hereby approved has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: The application contained insufficient information to enable this matter to be considered prior to granting planning permission and the matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before development commences in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner, in the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area

3 The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Site Location Plan

AB/017-02

AB/017-03

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

INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

The applicant is requested to note that this permission does not affect any private property rights and therefore does not authorise the carrying out of any work on land outside their control. If such works are required it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain the landowners consent before such works commence. If you intend carrying out works in the vicinity of the site boundary, you are also advised that it may be expedient to seek your own advice with regard to the requirements of the Party Wall Act 1996.

INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

Please note that Council offices do not have the facility to receive material samples. Please deliver material samples to site and inform the Planning Officer where they are to be found.

INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

The development relates solely to the installation of two chimneys on site. The

installation of biomas boilers on site and a change in the nature of the use of the site may require a further grant of planning permission.