Agenda item

To consider the planning applications contained in the list.

The Committee considered the applications on the *Plans List

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

a)    Application 21/01957/FULL - Demolition of garages, erection of a two-storey block of 8 dwellings, raised above a podium structure atop car parking level with associated soft and hard landscaping works at Garages and Forecourt, Shapland Place, Tiverton.

The Area Team Leader provided responses to public questions and explained that the fire safety concerns raised were a building regulations issue and were not a material planning consideration. The building would be alongside adopted roads for access and that the applicant had provided further details of the fire strategy. He confirmed that only the east elevation had obscure windows and privacy screens.

In response to questions raised by Members on a site visit he confirmed that Tiverton was not in an air quality management area and there had been no concerns from Public health in relation to air pollution in the car parking area. Any development must meet fire safety standard though building regulations and that the scheme provided 3 electric vehicle charging points which was in excess of the required standard.

The Area Team Leader then outlined the application by way of a presentation which highlighted the location plan, site plan, ground and first floor plans, second floor plans, elevations, section plans, landscaping plan, 3D views of the west elevation and photographs of the site.

Consideration was given to:

·         The application site was in flood plain 3 but there had been no objections from the Environment Agency

·         The views of the Town Council who highlighted the impact on existing residents, impact on new residents, potential overheating and mechanical ventilation and a potential modular fire risk

·         The views of the Ward Member who stated that he supported the scheme but he noted concerns of neighbours with regard to overlooking and potential flood issues

·         Members concerns that the design of the scheme made it inaccessible to wheelchair users

·         That the scheme was accessible for other disabilities and included disabled parking but that as it was a modular scheme it would be difficult to adapt for wheelchair access as the ground floor was designated for car parking

·         Members concerns that condition 10 should remove the option of an alternative timeframe for the installation of the 3 electric charging points

It was therefore:

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the signing of a S106 agreement as recommended by the Interim Development Management Manager subject to an amendment to condition 10 to remove the option of an alternative timeframe for the installation of the 3 electric charging points

(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.        Cllr P Elstone provided a statement on behalf of the Town Council

    ii.        Cllr R J Dolley spoke as ward member

b)   Application 21/02014/MARM - Reserved Matters in respect of (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for the area associated with the attenuation pond, drainage infrastructure and related details including level changes required for the initial phases of development, following Outline approval 14/00881/MOUT at Land at NGR 297844 113446 (North of Putson Cottages), Blundells Road, Tiverton.

Consideration was given to:

·         The views of the objector who stated he had objections to the routing and drainage of the self-build homes and that no access should be granted from the attenuation pond site from Blundells Road

·         The views of the agent who stated that the application had been approved at outline and that as developers they were obliged to provide services to the self-build plots

The Area Planning Officer then gave an overview of the application by way of a presentation which highlighted the site location plan, illustrative framework plan, an aerial view, the infrastructure planning layout, general arrangements, cross sections, landscape details and photographs of the site.

The Area Planning Officer then responded to public questions and stated that the location of the attenuation pond would not determine the location or layout of the self-build plots or their driveway access. The application in front of Members was for one access point into the site and that no construction traffic would access the site directly from Blundell’s Road as confirmed when the agent spoke at Committee. 

Further consideration was given to:

·         The frequency of visits by South West Water to the attenuation pond would be set out in the S104 agreement and was not determined by the Planning Authority

·         The application provided a detailed landscape plan including the provision of young sapling trees

·         The entrance to the site on Blundells road would cease once the land had been approved and constructed for employment use

It was therefore:

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Interim Development Management Manager

(Proposed by Cllr C J Eginton and seconded by Cllr F W Letch)

Reason for the decision: As set out in the report

Notes:

      i.        Mr Elstone provided a statement as the objector which was read out by the Vice Chairman

    ii.        Mr Cattermole spoke as the agent