To consider the planning applications contained in the list.
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the following application be determined or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the various recommendations contained in the list namely:
(a) No 5 on the Plans List (15/00280/FULL – Erection of single storey side extension and veranda to front (Revised Scheme Thurlescombe East, Ash Thomas) be approved subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning and Regeneration.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
(b) No 1 on the Plans List (14/02116/FULL – Erection of retail store, formation of access, car parking and service area with landscaping and associated works – land at NGR 303843 111382 (Mid Devon Business Park), South View, Willand).
The Area Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report stating that this application had been deferred from the previous meeting to allow for discussions to take place with the applicant with regard to the provision of a zebra crossing and/or illuminating the existing crossing point on South View Road. Following the previous meeting those discussions had taken place for the most appropriate location for a new crossing and Members were shown an indicative drawing of the proposed new crossing. The Officer reiterated the outline of the proposed development discussed at the previous meeting and explained the agreement that would have to take place between the applicant and the Highway Authority for any proposed crossing.
Consideration was given to:
· The trees on the site and the view of the Tree Officer
· Concern from an objector regarding other retail units in the area
· The support of the Parish Council following consideration of the road safety issues highlighted at the previous meeting
· Lighting on the proposed new crossing
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning and Regeneration with an addition condition (11) to read: Condition 11: The proposed retail store shall not be first open to the public until such time as the zebra crossing shall have been provided on the B3181 in accordance with details which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
Reason: To ensure that adequate facilities are in place to enable pedestrians attracted to the facility and to access the site safely.
(Proposed by Cllr Mrs M E Squires and seconded by Cllr M D Binks)
Notes
Mr Ingram (Agent) spoke;
Mr Sheppard (Objector) spoke;
Cllr Warren (Willand Parish Council) spoke;
Mr Sorenson (Devon County Council – Highway Authority) spoke;
The following late information was reported: Following committee of 18th March, discussions have been taking place between the applicants and DCC Highways regarding the most appropriate location for the new crossing point which was requested by members at that earlier meeting.
Initially, Ian Sorenson (DCC Highways) went out on site to look at the possibilities. Whilst the committee’s favoured location was a new crossing on South View Road, Ian has advised that ‘for vehicles approaching from the North west along south view road the close boarded fence obstructs visibility to the crossing and is in the control of the resident so without their consent it will stop a zebra being installed.’
Consequently, other options have been investigated and Ian is happy that a safe crossing point can be provided on the Halfway house leg of the B3181, and an additional drawing has been provided to illustrate this.
Whilst we have this general scheme for the purposes of the planning permission, the finer details will need to be resolved via a s278 agreement between applicant and DCC post planning permission being granted and prior to installation.
A further condition requiring provision of the crossing before the first opening of the shop to the public is therefore recommended as follows:
Condition 11:
The proposed retail store shall not be first open to the public until such time as the zebra crossing shall have been provided on the B3181 in accordance with details which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
Reason 11:
To ensure that adequate facilities are in place to enable pedestrians attracted to the facility and to access the site safely.
(c) No 2 on the Plans List (14/02132/FULL – Conversion and extension of former public house into six dwellings – Former Hare & Hounds, 138 Chapel Street, Tiverton).
The Head of Planning and Regeneration outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting the site in its present form and the proposed development explaining the proposed layout, the range of buildings at the rear of the site that would be demolished in part, the amenity outside space, parking spaces, the front and side elevations of the proposed development and photographs from various aspects of the site. She stated that the Environment Agency was now satisfied with the application following a flood risk assessment and proposed resilience measures.
Discussion took place regarding:
· South West Water issues with regard to the sewerage system
· The possible reduction in vehicle movements to and from the site, although objections were raised as it was thought that there would be more movements especially in the mornings
· Possible poor visibility and the impact of children using the pavement on the way to school
· Whether the loss of the public house was significant
· Whether a site visit was required
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning and Regeneration.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr M D Binks)
Notes
Cllrs Mrs F J Colthorpe, A V G Griffiths, Mrs L J Holloway, D J Knowles, M A Lucas, R F Radford, Mrs M E Squires and K D Wilson declared personal interests as the objector was known to them;
Cllr N V Davey declared a personal interest as a member of the CAMRA Group
Cllr K D Wilson declared a personal interest as the Flood Warden for Tiverton Town Council
Mr Spurway (Agent) spoke;
Mrs Beard (Objector) spoke;
Cllrs N V Davey and D J Knowles spoke as Ward Members;
A proposal to defer the application so that a site visit could take place was not supported;
Cllrs D J Knowles and K D Wilson requested that their vote against the decision be recorded.
(d) No 3 on the Plans List (15/00015//FULL – Erection of dwelling following demolition of existing partially demolished barns – The Old Forge (adjacent to Hill View Farm, New Buildings, Sandford).
The Area Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report highlighting the history of the site and the demolition on safety grounds that had taken place. Members viewed existing and proposed site plans, the proposed site layout and floor plans, elevations and photographs from various aspects of the site.
With regard to questions raised earlier in the meeting and the demolition process, the officer stated that Building Control officers had tried to work with the former owner of the site regarding safety issues for over a year before the partial demolition had taken place (by the new owner).
Discussion took place regarding:
· The history of the demolition process
· The Conservation Officer’s view
· Concerns of the neighbouring farmer with regard to access to his farm and road safety issues with regard to passing tractors and livestock
· The position of the proposed front door onto the road and possible alterations to the design
· New development in the countryside
· Policy DM12 and paragraph 55 of the National Planning Policy Framework
RESOLVED that the Committee wished to approve the application and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Ward Member following negotiations to achieve revised plans to resolve issues with regard to the design of the front door and that a set of conditions be formulated. The reason given for granting permission was that the proposal achieved the improvement and enhancement of the area and that in this instance this was seen as outweighing the policy concerns.
(Proposed by Cllr K D Wilson and seconded by Cllr M D Binks)
Notes
Cllr Mrs M E Squires declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the application as she was a neighbouring farmer and that business transactions had taken place in the past and therefore left the meeting during the discussion thereon;
Cllrs M D Binks, Mrs F J Colthorpe, J M Downes, A V G Griffiths, Mrs L J Holloway, D J Knowles, M A Lucas, R F Radford, J D Squire, R L Stanley and K D Wilson made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing in planning matters as they had received correspondence regarding this application;
Mrs Sanders (Applicant) spoke;
Mr Petherick (Objector) spoke;
Cllr M R Lee spoke as Ward Member
A proposal to refuse the application was not supported;
The following late information was reported:
The Conservation Officer agrees that the lack of assessment of impact on the setting of various listed buildings and the street scene in general is a gap in the information provided. New buildings is not a conservation area but is an historic and picturesque village with various Grade II listed buildings. The dilapidated and partially demolished building is not contributing positively to the area but the proposed replacement building is poorly designed also and is a mock-conservation with little detailing to convince me that it would make a positive impact on the setting of the listed buildings. The Conservation Officer agrees therefore that the application should be refused.
Further letter of support received 16th March 2015 – summarised as follows:-
Page 99 of report, last para: Correction – Sentence reading:
“The hamlet consists of a mix of some 21 traditional thatched cottages and modern properties, including bungalow to the north west of the site”
To read:
The hamlet consists of a mix of some 38 traditional thatched and slated cottages and modern properties, including bungalow to the north west of the site”
Page 103 of report, penultimate para: Correction – Sentence reading.
“It would previously have had a corrugated iron roof and the site also appears to have contained a well”
To read
“It would previously most likely have had a corrugated iron roof (subsequently converted to natural slate) and the site also appears to have contained a well”
Page 105-106 – Sentence reading
“At the time of this report , the further comments of the CEHO have yet to be received, and will be reported to the Committee, although such matters can normally be controlled by suitable conditions requiring remedial or other works as may be necessary”
To read
“The further comments of the CEHO have now been received with regards to a Phase 2 intrusive investigation and risk assessment, and which are as now reported under the ‘Consultations’ section of this report. The views of the CEHO are that the assessment of the works and procedures as set out in the submitted Ruddlesden Contamination Report must be completed and in accordance with an agreed remediation scheme. These conditions would need to attach to any grant of planning consent for this scheme.”
(e) No 4 on the Plans List (14/00197/FULL – Erection of extension to front, side and rear elevations; conversion of part garage to form additional living accommodation with room above and provision of hardstanding for the parking of vehicles (Revised Scheme) 52 Oak Close, Tiverton).
The Head of Planning and Regeneration outlined the contents of the report highlighting the extensions to the dwelling that had previous planning permission and explaining that the application before the committee required an additional extension to the side of the dwelling. She highlighted by way of presentation the extension plans, the proposed ground floor and first floor plans and the existing and proposed elevations and presented photographs from various aspects of the site emphasising her concerns regarding the size of the proposed extension and the impact it would have on the neighbouring property.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The proposed roof level would be no higher than the ridge if viewed from the road;
· The neighbour had written a letter of support regarding the application;
· Possible amendments to the design to produce a hipped roof
· The height extension to a property to the rear of the dwelling concerned
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to formulate a set of conditions for the extension of the property. The reason given for granting permission was that the proposal was not considered to have an adverse impact on neighbouring properties or the streetscene as the height of the roof did not exceed that of the existing bungalow and due to the pitched roof, the design was acceptable.Accordingly, the development was considered in compliance with the following policies: COR2, COR 13 Mid Devon Core Strategy (LP1) and DM2, DM13 Development Management Policies (LP3)
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr M D Binks)
Notes
Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest as he had been on site to meet the applicant;
Cllrs Mrs F J Colthorpe, A V G Griffiths, Mrs L J Holloway, D J Knowles, E G Luxton and K D Wilson made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good practice for Councillor dealing in planning matters as they had received correspondence regarding this application;
Cllr Mrs J R Rendle (Ward Member) spoke;
Cllrs Mrs F J Colthorpe, Mrs L J Holloway, J D Squire and Mrs M E Squires requested that their vote against the decision be recorded;
Cllr J M Downes requested that his abstention from voting be recorded;
The following late information was reported: One further letter of support was received on the 30/03/2015 - summarised below;
This proposal will allow the family to remain in their dwelling for a longer period of time.
Supporting documents: