Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute.

Apologies were received from:

·         Cllr S Clist who was substituted by Cllr L G J Kennedy

·         Cllr S Robinson

To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no public questions however Mr Micheal James made a statement with reference to Plan 1 -  25/00541/FULL - Demolition of Cross Hotel main building at Cross Hotel, Copplestone, Crediton.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

Members were reminded of the need to declare any interests where appropriate.

Cllr N Letch made a declaration of interest regarding planning application number 25/00541/FULL - Demolition of Cross Hotel main building at Cross Hotel, Copplestone, Crediton as she had been heavily involved with the application and would therefore abstain from voting on this item.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 2July 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 July 2025 were agreed as a true record and SIGNED by the Chair.

         To receive any announcements the Chair may wish to make. 

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·         Angharad Williams, Development Management Manager would be leaving Mid Devon District Council.  Her last day in the office would be 10 September.

·         He reminded Planning Committee Members of the training dates to be held on 6 August at 2.15pm and 10 September at 10am.

To report any items withdrawn from the agenda.

There were no withdrawals from the Agenda.

To consider the planning applications contained in the list.

The Committee considered the applications in the *Plans List.

1.     25/00541/FULL - Demolition of Cross Hotel main building at Cross Hotel, Copplestone, Crediton.

The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation and highlighted the following:-

·       There had been an update with regard to Condition 3 in that a demolition method statement and supporting information had been received from the applicant which had been accepted by the Local Highway Authority and was recommended to become a compliance condition.

·       Clarity with regard to Condition 4 which had been recommended by the Council’s Conservation Officer stated that there should not be any demolition to the footings due to potential archaeological interest and that it would only be demolition by hand within 2 metres of the adjoining neighbouring property. 

·       There had been 2 additional representations made from:

(a)  Historic England stating that they had no further comments other than to refer the matter to the Council’s Conservation Officer.

(b)  A neighbour outlining concerns with the development and the potential lack of information online.

·       The reason for the planning application was due to there being no permitted development rights as it related to a drinking establishment.

·       Building Control and the local Highway Authority had been involved in the works undertaken which had resulted in a road closure, with a diversion in place, as scaffolding had to be erected to ensure the building was stable.

·       The main issues raised were:-

(a)  Policy/Principle and procedure

(b)  Loss of the community facility

(c)   Highways issues

(d)  Impact upon setting of listed buildings/structures

(e)  Impact on amenity

(f)    Impact on ecology/biodiversity

(g)  Land drainage/flood risk

·       Following a site inspection and professional advice from structural engineers, Building Control concluded that it would be unsafe to attempt to repair the building, and that demolition would be the only safe and viable option.

·       Demolition would allow the re-opening of the road and work could commence the beginning of next week.

·       With regard to the impact upon the setting of listed buildings the Conservation Officer noted that this was outweighed by public safety.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·       Why the building had not been maintained by the Council.  It was explained that this was not a listed building and that it was not the Council’s responsibility for the protection of all buildings within the District.

·       Whether there was a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.  It was confirmed there was not a Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Whether there was any control with regard to the replacement of the building.  It was confirmed that Policy DM2 would not apply in this instance, given that this was an application only for demolition and policy wording did not cover the need for a replacement building following this type of situation.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

(Proposed by Cllr G Cochran and seconded by Cllr G Duchesne)

Notes:-

(i)              Cllr N Letch abstained from voting

(ii)             Olivia Ambrose spoke as the Applicant

(iii)           Cllr N Letch  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To receive a list of major applications and potential site visits.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a list *of major applications with no decision.

The Committee agreed the following:-

1.    25/00954/MFUL - Erection of factory building with integrated office space, associated parking, service yard, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and alterations to site access to remain delegated as per the report.

Note:  *List previously circulated.

To receive a list of recent appeal decisions.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a *list of appeal decisions.

Note: *List previously circulated.