Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from the following:-

·         Cllr R Gilmour with Cllr S Keable substituting.

·         Cllr N Letch with Cllr G Czapiewski substituting.

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.

Andrew Lloyd referred to Application 23/01615/FULL

1)    As depicted in the photographic evidence submitted the proposed planned area for a micro energy facility is not an unused area of this residential car park.  Larger vehicles use this area (others include council vehicles with trailers when conducting work in the surrounding area, recovery vehicles to recover vehicles from the car park).  Unfortunately, due to the timescale I was unable to gain photographs of these.

a)    Why does the Council believe that a car park in Copplestone, a residential village which relies on this car park for off road parking for residents and parents using the local primary school as the surrounding roads are not adequately equipped for on street parking and flow of traffic is the correct setting for this micro energy facility?  Considering that Copplestone is a residential area and not industrial / commercial.

b)    Does the Council accept that if this micro energy facility is approved that it is due to a monetary advantage gained from a sale to a private company and not the welfare of the residents of Copplestone?

2)    If the fire safety procedures fail or are not adequate (as these seem to be a first aid firefighting capability from the response given) then does the council feel that the nearest fire assistance being Crediton (an on-call service) is an appropriate provision and acceptance of risk in a residential area considering it is surrounded by a) residential properties b) vehicles c) trees and other combustible materials d) a high voltage substation?

3)    Has the Council considered the wider impact if the micro energy facility is approved to the increased area required for the initial construction a) how much of the car park will be lost during this phase b) increased noise and disruption to the residents c) timeframe?

4)    Why was the planning notice not sighted to allow the maximum number of residents within the surrounding area, for example at the entrance of the car park itself?  Instead, it has been sighted in the bottom corner where it is obstructed due to the very reason stated in a previous question, almost as if to avoid it being noticed.

The Chair advised that the questions would be answered when the application was discussed.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

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

·         Cllr S Keable referred to Plans List 1 Application No. 23/01875/FULL as Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration he declared an ORI and would not vote.

·         Cllr M Jenkins referred to Plans List 3 Application No 23/01615/FULL and Plans List 5 Application 23/01251/MFULL as he had received correspondence and declared a Protocol of good practice in planning matters.

·         Cllr S Clist referred to Plans List 2 Application No. 23/01513/FULLand declared that he had an ORI and it was his Cabinet portfolio area but had not been involved with this application.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 10^th January 2024.

The minutes of the previous meeting held 10 January 2024 were agreed as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.

         To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make. 

The Chairman announced the following:-

·         He congratulated Jake Choules, Principal Planning Officer who had passed his Assessment of Professional Competence with the Royal Town Planning Institute which meant he was now a Chartered Planner.

·         He reminded Members of the Battery Storage Briefing taking place on Wednesday 28 February at 2.15pm.

·         He introduced and welcomed two new Planning Officers, Magdalena Halls and Yvonne Dale who would be presenting reports to the Planning Committee today.

To report any items withdrawn from the agenda.

There were no withdrawals 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)    23/01875/FULL - Temporary siting of 12 swan sculptures as part of the sculpture trail along the Grand Western Canal and Tiverton town Centre between 1st March 2024 to 30th November 2024 at Grand Western Canal Basin, Lowman Green, Fore Street, Phoenix Lane, Beck's Square, Angel Hill, Westexe North, Westexe Recreation Ground, Park Hill, Peoples Park, Market Walk, Bampton Street

The Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation and highlighted the following:-

·       The main objective of the project was to promote Tiverton town centre and visitor attractions connected with the town and the Grand Western Canal.

·       Swans were chosen as they migrate to Devon for the season.

·       The sculptures were made of fibreglass which would then be decorated by local artists with acrylic paints and placed on concrete plinths.

·       The Highways Authority and the Environment Agency had raised no objections.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·       The robustness of the sculptures and the plinths that would be used for mounting the sculptures.

·       The duration of the display which was confirmed as being from 3^rd April until the end of November.

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

(Proposed by Cllr S Clist and seconded by Cllr F Letch).

Reason for the Decision – as set out in the report.

Notes:-

(i)              Cllr S Keable abstained from voting and wished this to be noted.

b)    23/01513/FULL - Erection of a dwelling at 5 Exon Buildings, Exeter Road, Cullompton

The Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation and highlighted the following:-

·       The new dwelling would form part of Mid Devon District Council’s housing stock.

·       The accommodation would comprise of a lounge, dining area, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.

·       There would be 6 solar panels on the front roof slope.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·       Car parking problems in the area and the use of public transport.

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

(Proposed by the Chairman).

Reason for the Decision – as set out in the report.

Notes:-

(i)              Cllr S Robinson spoke as the Ward Member.

c)     23/01615/FULL - Construction and operation of micro energy storage facility at Car Park, Fernworthy Park, Copplestone.

The Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation and highlighted the following:-

·       The facility was located to the south east corner of the site and the location of the sub-station was just behind as they needed to be within 50 metres of each other to work effectively.

·       The surrounding fencing would be 2.4 metres high.

·       The main issues raised related to parking provision, impact on neighbouring community and fire risks/safety.

·       The applicant had revised the siting which demonstrated acceptable distance to the nearest parking space and retained flow through the car park.

·       Public Health had been consulted and had no initial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

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 that the applications remained as per the report.

Note:  *List previously circulated, copy attached to the minutes.

To receive a list of recent appeal decisions.

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

Note: *List previously circulated, copy attached to the minutes.