Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr E J Berry, Cllr S J Clist and Cllr B G J Warren who were substituted by Cllr C Eginton, Cllr J D Downes and Cllr R Dolley respectively.

Apologies were received from Cllr S J Penny.

Members to note the Remote Meetings Protocol

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, the *Remote Meetings Protocol.

Note: *Protocol previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest at each item.

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

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 questions from members of the public present.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 13^th November

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th November 2020 were agreed as a true record.

         To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make. 

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

To report any items appearing in the Plans List which have been deferred.           

There were no deferrals from the Plans List.

To consider the planning applications contained in the list.

The Committee considered the applications in the *Plans List.

Note: *List previously circulated and attached to the minutes.

a)    20/01507/FULL - Retention of timber outbuilding to be used ancillary to the house, retention of alterations to ground level changes and change of use of agricultural land to domestic garden at 8 Mill Stream Gardens, Halberton, Tiverton.

The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation highlighting the site location plan, the location of the shed, ground level alterations and photographs of the site from the neighbouring paddock.

She explained that the shed had been built larger than the permission granted in 2019 to include the provision of a log store. She confirmed to members that the shed as built was 25% larger than the original permission.

In response to members questions regarding the quality of top soil which had been brought onto the site for alterations to the ground level that the Environment Agency had a duty to control this and it was not a consideration of the Planning Authority.

Consideration was given to:

·         The views of the objectors who stated that they had concerns with the location of the shed, the quality of the material used for releveling and issues with overlooking their paddock

·         The views of the agent who stated the Environment Agency had provided advice and guidance to the applicants regarding material brought on site and that their investigations had been completed, that the ground level adjustments were consistent with neighbouring properties and that the property did not overlook the neighbouring property private amenity

·         The views of the Ward Member who stated he had visited the site and talked to other neighbours who had expressed no concerns with regard to the application and that he had no concerns with overlooking into the neighbouring property private amenity area. He felt this was a dispute between neighbours which was not a material consideration and he could see no reason to refuse the application

·         That the application was retrospective but that there were no material considerations to refuse the application

It was therefore RESOLVED that: planning permission be approved subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.

(Proposed by Cllr F W Letch and seconded by Cllr Mrs C P Daw)

Reason for the Decision – as set out in the report

Notes:

    i.)        Cllrs Mrs F J Colthorpe, G Barnell, J Downes, L Cruwys, Mrs C P Daw, R Dolley, C Eginton, D J Knowles, F W Letch and R F Radford  made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing with planning matters as they had received letters from the Objectors

   ii.)        Mr & Mrs Keenoy (Objectors) had provided Members with a written statement and photographs which had previously been circulated

 iii.)        Duncan Tilney (Agent) spoke

 iv.)        Cllr R F Radford spoke as Ward Members

   v.)        The following late information was reported:

a.    ‘One additional letter of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

List attached for consideration of major applications and potential site visits.

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

It was AGREED that:

20/01588/MFUL Crediton Milling Co Ltd, Fordton Mill, Crediton, Devon EX17 3DH: Erection of storage building with first floor office (512sqm) following demolition of barn and erection of grain store (498sqm) be brought before the committee for determination and that a site visit take place if the officers recommendation was one of approval.

Note: *List previously circulated; copy attached to the Minutes