Agenda item

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 signed minutes.

a)   No 1 on the Plans List 19/01932/FULL - Retention of conversion and change of use of part of shop into 1 ground floor flat (Revised Scheme) at Preston House, Bow, Devon.

The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation which detailed the site location, existing floor plans and elevations.

The Area Team Leader had informed the Committee that a completed Unilateral Undertaking had been received from the applicant providing a financial contribution towards Air Quality Management in Crediton.

He explained that this planning application followed the refusal of planning application 18/00571/FULL in 2018 which was for the conversion and change of use of shop into 2 ground floor flats where the application submitted included car parking at the rear with a new vehicular access. This application was refused on the grounds that the proposed car parking facilities and means of access were considered unacceptable and the applicant was advised that this still remained the case.

He explained that the point of access into the site and the car parking area was formed by the current owner without the benefit of any consent/permission as issued by either the local planning and/or Highway Authority.

He informed Members that the Highways Authority had raised no objections to the revised plans as the development was next to a bus stop and within walking distance to local amenities. In addition the Conservation Officer had no objections to the development and planning officers considered the accommodation met required room size requirements.

In response to a question asked about the development being contrary to Policy DM5, which stated that sufficient vehicle parking and bicycle storage must be provided, the Area Team Leader explained that in this instance the development was deemed at sustainable due to the proximity of the Bus stop and that local amenities were within walking distance and the Highways Authority considered there to be enough on street parking available. He explained that although the development did not comply with Policy DM5 planning officers felt that on balance the two additional flats would not cause harm to the environment.

Consideration was given to:

·         The planning application being retrospective and the majority of the work had already been started

·         The retention of the shop in the revised planning application

·         The frequency of the bus service which the new occupants may use

·         The lack of storage for bicycles in the current application

·         The fire risks of the new units and what solutions would be available including fire escape windows and change of floor plans which would be a building control issue

·         The views of the Parish Council who felt that the applicant had forged ahead with the alterations and had damaged neighbouring properties. The lack of amenity space. A request that the Planning Authority make as part of the planning conditions, a proviso that the applicant must put right damages and redo the ill-constructed, unstable, and insufficient works.

·         The views of the Ward Member who felt that the site was overdeveloped and that the new occupants would have cars which would contribute to the traffic issues. He felt that the Highways Authority surveyed the traffic flows at the wrong time of day and their comments did not recognise the traffic congestion in the area. The amount of unauthorised  development which had already been completed at the site and that the Council should have taken enforcement action to stop it.

It was therefore RESOLVED that: the application be deferred to allow Planning officers to negotiate with the applicant a reduction in the number of units being applied for.

(Proposed by Cllr G Barnell and seconded by Cllr L J Cruwys)

Reason for the Decision – as set out in the report

Notes:

    i.)        Cllr S J Penny declared a personal interest as he knew and had lived in the area

   ii.)        A statement was read out on behalf of Cllr T Vanstone who had submitted this on behalf of Bow Parish Council

 iii.)        Cllr A White spoke as Ward Member

b)   No 2 on the Plans List 19/01933/FULL - Retention of conversion of first floor flat into two flats at Preston House, Bow, Devon.

The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation which detailed the site location, existing floor plans and elevations.

The Area Team Leader had informed the Committee that a completed Unilateral Undertaking had been received from the applicant providing a financial contribution towards Air Quality Management in Crediton.

He explained that this planning application followed the refusal of planning application 18/00571/FULL in 2018 which was for the conversion and change of use of shop into 2 ground floor flats where the application submitted included car parking at the rear with a new vehicular access. This application was refused on the grounds that the proposed car parking facilities and means of access were considered unacceptable and the applicant was advised that this still remained the case.

He explained that the point of access into the site and the car parking area was formed by the current owner without the benefit of any consent/permission as issued by either the local planning and/or Highway Authority.

He informed Members that the Highways Authority had raised no objections to the revised plans as the development was next to a bus stop and within walking distance to local amenities. In addition the Conservation Officer had no objections to the development and planning officers considered the accommodation met required room size requirements.

In response to a question asked about the development being contrary to Policy DM5, which stated that sufficient vehicle parking and bicycle storage must be provided, the Area Team Leader explained that in this instance the development was deemed at sustainable due to the proximity of the Bus stop and that local amenities were within walking distance and the Highways Authority considered there to be enough on street parking available. He explained that although the development did not comply with Policy DM5 planning officers felt that on balance the two additional flats would not cause harm to the environment.

Consideration was given to:

·         The planning application being retrospective and the majority of the work had already been started

·         The retention of the shop in the revised planning application

·         The frequency of the bus service which the new occupants may use

·         The lack of storage for bicycles in the current application

·         The fire risks of the new units and what solutions would be available including fire escape windows and change of floor plans which would be a building control issue

·         The views of the Parish Council who felt that the applicant had forged ahead with the alterations and had damaged neighbouring properties. The lack of amenity space. A request that the Planning Authority make as part of the planning conditions, a proviso that the applicant must put right damages and redo the ill-constructed, unstable, and insufficient works.

·         The views of the Ward Member who felt that the site was overdeveloped and that the new occupants would have cars which would contribute to the traffic issues. He felt that the Highways Authority surveyed the traffic flows at the wrong time of day and their comments did not recognise the traffic congestion in the area. The amount of unauthorised  development which had already been completed at the site and that the Council should have taken enforcement action to stop it.

It was therefore RESOLVED that: the application be deferred to allow Planning officers to negotiate with the applicant a reduction in the number of units being applied for.

(Proposed by Cllr G Barnell and seconded by Cllr L J Cruwys)

Reason for the Decision – as set out in the report

Notes:

    i.)        Cllr S J Penny declared a personal interest as he knew and had lived in the area

   ii.)        A statement was read out on behalf of Cllr T Vanstone who had submitted this on behalf of Bow Parish Council

 iii.)        Cllr A White spoke as Ward Member