Agenda item

Public Participation

John Knight, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The senior planning officer, Matthew Perks, presented a report which recommended that permission be granted for existing shop and residential accommodation to be converted to 7 self-contained flats. Key issues were stated to include the principle of the proposed conversion, parking issues and impact on neighbouring amenity.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the layout of the site, bin storage provision, whether the site was inside or outside the town centre, the ownership of the entrance yard and parking provision. In response to queries it was confirmed that the site was outside the town centre, but close to amenities, the railway station and good public transport opportunities.  It was confirmed that the site was considered a highly sustainable location for this proposed development and the slight shortfall in terms of on-site car parking was not considered robust enough reason to refuse the application.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee, as detailed above.

The local member, Councillor Stewart Palmen, then spoke in objection to the application.

A debate followed, where members discussed the parking arrangements and ease of access to the site, the number of units applied for and whether this constituted overdevelopment.

A motion was moved by Councillor Palmen, seconded by Councillor Sarah Gibson, to refuse the application. Following a vote the motion was lost.

A motion was then moved by Councillor Jerry Wickham, seconded by Councillor Trevor Carbin, to approve the application. At the conclusion of debate, it was,

Resolved:

That planning permission be granted 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:

JK01a Location and Site Plan Registered on 28 July 2017; JK02a Existing Floor Plans Registered on 28 July 2017; JK03a Existing Plans/Sections Registered on 28 July 2017; JK04b Existing Elevations Received on 6 October 2017; JK05a Proposed Plans/Sections Registered on 28 July 2017; JK06a Proposed Elevations Registered on 28 July 2017; JK07 Existing Elevations Registered on 28 July 2017

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

3.            No development shall commence on site until details of the proposed dormers, including materials, at a minimum scale of 1:20 have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

REASON:   In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

4.     The development hereby permitted shall not be first occupied until secure covered cycle parking for at least 7 no. bicycles have been provided in accordance with the hereby approved plans and  shall be retained for use at all times thereafter.

REASON: To ensure that satisfactory facilities for the parking of cycles are provided and to encourage travel by means other than the private car.

5.     No part of the development hereby approved shall be first brought into use until three car parking spaces have been provided within the site, with no obstruction thereto and with sufficient access thereto. These spaces shall be maintained and remain available for this use at all times thereafter.

INFORMATIVES TO APPLICANT:

1.     The applicant is advised that the development hereby approved may represent chargeable development under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and Wiltshire Council's CIL Charging Schedule. If the development is determined to be liable for CIL, a Liability Notice will be issued notifying you of the amount of CIL payment due. If an Additional Information Form has not already been submitted, please submit it now so that we can determine the CIL liability. In addition, you may be able to claim exemption or relief, in which case, please submit the relevant form so that we can determine your eligibility. The CIL Commencement Notice and Assumption of Liability must be submitted to Wiltshire Council prior to commencement of development.  Should development commence prior to the CIL Liability Notice being issued by the local planning authority, any CIL exemption or relief will not apply and full payment will be required in full and with immediate effect. Should you require further information or to download the CIL forms please refer to the Council's Website

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/communityinfrastructurelevy