Agenda and minutes

SWT Planning Committee
Thursday, 30th May, 2019 1.00 pm

Venue: The John Meikle Room - The Deane House. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Chair

2.

Appointment of Vice-Chair

3.

Apologies

4.

Declarations of Interest or Lobbying

    To receive and note any declarations of disclosable pecuniary or prejudicial or personal interests or lobbying in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

     

    (The personal interests of Councillors and Clerks of Somerset County Council, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes.)

    Minutes:

    Members present at the meeting declared the following personal interests in their capacity as a Councillor or Clerk of a County, Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

     

    Name

    Item No

    Description of Interest

    Reason

    Action Taken

    All Councillors

    9

    Letter from Collier Planning

     

    All Councillors spoke and Voted

    Councillor S Buller

    12

    Ward Member

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Councillor Mrs J Lloyd

    11

    Ward Member

    Prejudicial

    Took no part in the debate or vote

    Councillor R Habgood

    11

    Previous Ward Member

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

     

5.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Planning Committee pdf icon PDF 350 KB

6.

Public Participation

    The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

     

    For those members of the public who have requested to speak, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

    Minutes:

    APPLICATION NO

    NAME

    STANCE

    08/17/0040

    Mike Ginger on behalf of Rebecca Robinson

    Mike Ginger

    Stephen Pattinson

    Jason Woollacott Parish Councillor, Cheddon Fitzpaine

    Jo Pearson, Parish Clerk

    Cllr Andy Prithchard

    Martyn Twigg – Gladman

    Cllr Libby Lisgo – Ward Member

    Cllr Brenda Weston – Ward Member

    Objecting

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Agent in favour

    3/21/18/094

    Letty Green

    Julie Worth

    Mr and Mrs Murry (unable to attend so letter will be read out by appointed nominee)

    Nigel Padfield

    Objecting

    27/18/0002

    Rob Gully

    Cllr Frances Gully - Neighbourhood planning lead for Oake Parish Council

    Sue Davies, Chair, Oake Parish Council

     

    3/31/19/001

    Stogumber Parish Council Chair -  Mr Chris Bramall

    Objecting

    32/18/0008

    Application withdrawn

     

    36/18/0048

    Mrs Grant

    Mrs Ginger

    Nick Sloan

    Sarah Durrant on behalf of Georgia Thompson

    Mr Tim Slattery

    Gill Slattery

    David House

    Andy Lainer

    Cllr Phil Stone ( Ward Member)

    Infavour

    36/19/0006

    Jennifer Cochrane

    Mr David Ryland

    Hannah Lawrence

    Jane Pine

    Objecting

     

     

    Applicant

    46/19/0004

    Alan Muir

    Agent

     

7.

08/17/0040 outline planning permission with all matters reserved, except for means of access, for the erection of up to 180 dwellings with public open space, landscaping ad sustainable drainage system (SuDs) and vehicular access point off Cheddon Road, Taunton pdf icon PDF 294 KB

    Outline Planning Application with all matters reserved, except for means of access, for the erection of up to 180 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access point off Cheddon Road, Taunton

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·       ANOB opinions ignored;

    ·       The increased scale of houses would have an impact on the surrounding historic properties;

    ·       Bats;

    ·       Street lighting/dark skies;

    ·       Negative impact on wildlife;

    ·       This development contradicts the Garden Town proposals;

    ·       Concerns with the high volumes of traffic that this development would create;

    ·       Concerns with the cumulative impact;

    ·       This site was out of the development limits;

    ·       Over development of the site;

    ·       Good grazing land should not be used for housing;

    ·       Concerns with the impact on the character of the locality;

    ·       Concerns with the large amount of hedge that was going to be removed;

    ·       Safety issues for pedestrians and safe route to school;

    ·       Local Plan not taken into consideration;

    ·       Poor consultation with local residents;

    ·       Flooding;

    ·       Current access lane was not wide enough for the amount of traffic this development would create;

    ·       Concerns with the further development planned off of Lyngford Lane;

     

     

    The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        This development contradicts the Garden Town proposals;

    ·        This looks like a bolt on development;

    ·        Concerns with the scale of the development;

    ·        Consultation process not adequate;

    ·        Development undermines the impact on the ANOB;

    ·        Wildlife concerns;

    ·        Traffic safety issues;

    ·        Flooding;

    ·        Loss of hedgerows;

    ·        Impact on pollution in the area;

    ·        Impact on Kings Hall and Hestercombe;

    ·        Mitigation of the development;

    ·        Another development was not needed in that area;

     

    Councillor S Coles proposed and Councillor R Habgood seconded a motion that the application be DEFERRED

     

    Reasons

     

    (a)   Photos to be taken from appropriate viewpoints within the Quantocks AONB (using a 50 mm lens to replicate the human eye), in order to demonstrate/illustrate the impact of the proposal upon the AONB;

     

    (b)Explanation of the exact Agricultural Land Classification of the site in order to see whether or not it is appropriate for development;

     

    (c)A better explanation of the significance of the proposal in relation to policies DM2 and CP8 (is it in accordance with and why?);

     

    (d)   Illustrative evidence showing where the off-site bat mitigation is proposed (plan);

     

    (e)   Any impact upon the Councils ‘aspirational’ intentions in respect of the Northern Outer Distributor Road;

     

    (f)     How does the proposal deal with the need for a footpath along the northern (hedge) edge of Cheddon Road;

     

    (g)   Better traffic assessment and modelling. The existing evidence contains contradictions;

     

    (h)   Explanation of the cumulative impact of this proposal together with all of the other housing schemes in the area;

     

     

    The Motion was carried

     

    At this point in the meeting the Committee took a break.

     

    The meeting resumed at 3.10pm

     

8.

3/21/18/094 Erection of a single storey dementia care nursing home (amended scheme to 3/21/18/026) Dene House, Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, TA24 6BY pdf icon PDF 316 KB

    Erection of a single storey dementia care nursing home (amended scheme to 3/21/18/026) Dene House, Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, TA24 6BY

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·        Development out of keeping with other properties in the area;

    ·        Over development of the site;

    ·        Covenant on properties that restrict business use;

    ·        Concerns that trees with a TPO had been cut down;

    ·        Concerns that the development had been built within 3 meters of the main sewer;

    ·        Impact on the neighbourhood and its elderly residents;

    ·        Properties would be devalued;

    ·        Inadequate parking for existing staff of Dene Lodge;

    ·        Concerns that the plans were constantly changing;

    ·        Creeping development;

    ·        Concerns with the large boiler house;

     

    The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        Over development of the site;

    ·        Concerns with the foot print of the new proposal;

     

    Councillor R Habgood proposed and Councillor S Buller seconded a motion that the application be APPROVED

     

    The Motion was carried

     

9.

27/18/0002 Erection of 18 No. Dwellings (9 Affordable) with pumping station, car parking, landscaping and formation of vehicular access on land to the east of Oake as amended revisions to Plot 18; increase in parking provision, revised visibility splays; provision of motorcycle parking; parking bay for the pumping station pdf icon PDF 299 KB

    Erection of 18 No. dwellings (9 No. affordable) with pumping station, car parking, landscaping and formation of vehicular access on land to the east of Oake as amended revisions to Plot 18; increase in parking provision, revised visibility splays; provision of motorcycle parking; parking bay for the pumping station

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·        Development was not sustainable;

    ·        Viability flawed;

    ·        Concerns with lack of public transport;

    ·        The Housing Needs Survey that was completed in 2014 was now out of date;

    ·        Development did not comply with the Core Strategy;

    ·        Conflicts with Policy DM2 (amenity) and CP4 (small scale housing);

    ·        The development does not reflect the needs of the village;

     

    The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        The development looked a good fit for the village;

    ·        Lack of a bus route;

    ·        Not sustainable;

    ·        The development needs to be in easy walking distance of other amenities;

     

    At this point in the meeting the Committee took a vote to extend for half an hour

     

    ·        No employment near the site;

    ·        No justification for this development found;

     

     

    Councillor R Habgood proposed and Councillor N Cavill seconded a motion that the applications be DEFERRED

     

     

    Reasons

     

    (a)   Need up-to-date and further information regarding the exact level of need for Affordable Homes in the village.  There is sufficient conflict in the information supplied by both ourselves, the applicant and the Parish Council;

     

    (b)   Evidence that the sequential test has been appropriately applied in respect of policy DM2  -  check to see whether the identified need could be met at other more appropriate sites or within other Parish Council boundaries;

     

    The Motion was carried

     

     

10.

3/31/19/001 Replacement of garage with the erection of 1 No. detached dwelling (amended scheme to 3/31/17/011) (retention of part works already undertaken). Sunnydene, 14 Hill Street, Stogumber, TA4 3TD

    Replacement of garage with the erection of 1 No. detached dwelling (amended scheme to 3/31/17/011) (retention of part works already undertaken). Sunnydene, 14 Hill Street, Stogumber, TA4 3TD

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·        Over development of the site;

    ·        Concerns with the increased height of the building;

    ·        Concerns with the increased volume of the property;

     

    The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        Concerns with the roof line;

    ·        Concerns with the increased pressure on sewage;

     

    Councillor R Habgood proposed and Councillor G Wren seconded a motion that the application be APPROVED

     

    The Motion was carried

     

     

11.

32/18/0008 Extension of hardcored area at Holbaines Meadows, Whiteball Road, Sampford Arundel, Wellington (Retention or works already completed) pdf icon PDF 90 KB

    Extension of hardcored area at Holbaines Meadow, Whiteball Road, Sampford Arundel, Wellington (Retention of works already completed)

     

    Minutes:

    This was deferred at officer’s request.  We need to look again at the recent appeal decision for this site and check to see whether we are making the correct recommendation. 

     

12.

36/18/0048 Erection of 34 No. dwellings, (7 No bungalows and 27 No. houses) with associated works including drainage, landscaping and highways works on land adjacent to Willey Road, Stoke St Gregory pdf icon PDF 265 KB

    Erection of 34 No. dwellings, (7 No. bungalows and 27 No. houses) with associated works including drainage, landscaping and highways works on land adjacent to Willey Road, Stoke St Gregory

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·        Concerns that the buffer zone created by the developer would not be maintained and responsibility passed onto the Parish Council;

    ·        Drainage issues;

    ·        Concerns with the sustainability of the village if this development did not go ahead;

    ·        Parking issues;

    ·        Residents were pleased that the Pavilion was being brought back to use;

    ·        More smaller homes needed to enable young people to stay in the village;

    ·        The development would help the local economy;

    ·        Local services were gone or in decline in the village, the development would benefit this community;

     

    At this point in the meeting Cllr Loretta Whetlor left the committee

     

                The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        This development would be a real boost to the community;

    ·        This development was a good mix of social and affordable housing;

    ·        Concerns of overcrowding in the local School;

     

    At this point in the meeting the Committee took a vote to extend for half an hour

     

    Councillor Mrs M Hill proposed and Councillor G Wren seconded a motion that the application be APPROVED

     

    The Motion was carried

     

13.

36/19/0006 Change of use from barn to licensed wedding ceremony venue/meeting room with formation of access and track at The Malt Barn, Meare Green Farm, Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory
pdf icon PDF 118 KB

    Change of use from barn to licensed wedding ceremony venue/meeting room with formation of access and track at The Malt Barn, Meare Green Farm, Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory

    Minutes:

    Comments by members of the public;

     

    ·        Concerns with the noise and disturbance that this change of use would cause to the neighbours;

    ·        Not the right place to hold this type of venue;

    ·        Concerns that this road was used by heavy vehicles;

    ·        No risk assessments were carried out;

    ·        Parking issues;

    ·        Pedestrian access issues;

    ·        The venue would benefit the local economy;

    ·        Delightful small niche venue;

     

    The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        Concerns that there would be lots of weddings over a short period of time;

    ·        Concerns with activities that would happen outside of the building;

    ·        Concerns with the number of vehicles coming and going from the venue;

     

     

    Councillor J Lloyd proposed and Councillor M Lithgow seconded a motion that the application be APPROVED

     

    The Motion was carried

     

    At this point in the meeting the Committee took a vote to extend for half an hour

     

     

     

14.

46/19/0004 Change of use from barn to licensed wedding ceremony venue/meeting room with formation of access and track at The Malt Barn, Meare Green Farm, Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory
pdf icon PDF 132 KB

    Removal of Condition No. 11 of application 46/04/0020 to allow property to be occupied as a single dwelling house at Church View, Sawyers Hill, West Buckland (resubmission of 46/17/0052)

    Minutes:

    Comments by member of the public;

     

    ·        Property had been on the market for 5 years with only eight viewings on the property;

    ·        The DM2 Condition (Amenity) should be ignored;

    ·        There were five letters of support and no objections for the removal of this condition;

     

                The Member’s debate centred on the following issues;

     

    ·        The property did not have any outdoor amenities;

    ·        The property was over marketed;

    ·        Redundant farm building unstainable in the open countryside;

     

    Councillor Mrs M Hill proposed and Councillor G Wren seconded a motion that the application be REFUSED as per Officer Recommendation

     

     

15.

Latest Appeals and Decisions received pdf icon PDF 152 KB