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.
Minutes:
Duncan Manning - Application No. 23/00118/MFUL
Question 1
As Chairperson of the Bampton Allotment Association Ltd. My question is whether a better use for the area of land to the extreme west of the proposed development site would be for allotments rather than a small community wood? All allotments in the area are fully occupied and this development provides the opportunity to provide more.
Cllr Barry Warren, Chairman of Willand Parish Council Application No. 23/00118/MFUL
The officer report under Proposed Developmentstates: “This application is for the erection of 7 affordable dwellings on disused, Council-owned land off Somerlea, Willand”. This is not a true statement. There is considerable use of this land which has taken place over a number of years. We are advised that some of the garage users have recently been granted new leases by MDDC. There are photographs in the Design and Access Statements and in a recent drone shot provided to the case officer by the Parish Clerk which shows some 26 vehicles on the site.
Question 1
Will members of committee satisfy themselves as to the true position of the use of land before making a decision?
Many of the vehicles on the site will be displaced and have to park on adjoining roads which are already congested with parked vehicles. There is a suggestion that some of the householders who park on the land at the rear of their properties can park on the road at the front. That position is close to a busy road junction from Station Road to Somerville Road where there are bus stops either side of the road. See paragraph 5.4 on page 74.
Question 2
Is it sensible for Committee to approve the application for more housing whilst ignoring or dismissing the problems which will be caused to existing residents or infrastructure by potential parking problems caused by the displaced vehicles?
In paragraph 5.4 on page 74 of your papers are these words: “In responding to these concerns, the applicant has also advised that as a result of the tenure type, it is anticipated that the occupiers would have lower car ownership rates, in which case it would be feasible to allocate one space per property and leave the remaining spaces unallocated (albeit this cannot be guaranteed).”
These words are judgemental and discriminatory in respect of potential Council tenants. Working members of families in occupation may well need to bring home works vans to park as well as their own vehicles.
Question 3
Is it appropriate for an officer to include such comments in his report from an applicant on behalf of the council, particularly taking into account the comments at the end of the report which says: “This report has been prepared in light of the Council's obligations under the Act with regard to decisions to be informed by the principles of fair balance and non-discrimination.”?
Paul Elstone - Application No. 23/01381/FULL
Question 1
Very precisely why have Mid Devon District Council decided not to use their declared Partner i.e. ZED PODS to build these 6 affordable/social properties?
Application No. 24/00039/FULL
Question 2
Why is it not being brought to the attention of this Committee that there are two bedroom windows in a property that immediately faces bedroom windows of the new proposed modules? That there is only around a 10-meter separation between these windows. That privacy will be significantly impacted?
Question 3
Why is the applicant being allowed to locate the refuse storage and collection area and for all 7 properties immediately on the boundary fence line of an adjacent bungalow and around 5 meters from the bungalow’s front door?
Question 4
In the Zed Pod Design and Access Statement Section 6.2 Reference is made to Factory Built Quality Control. Specifically, in-house manufacturing quality control. Can it be fully confirmed that Zed Pods firstly own, then manage and that they have full operational control of their own factory?
Question 5
If not, who does own, manage and operate the factory?
Denise McGowan - Application No. 23/00118/MFUL
Question 1
Please consider the previous emails and correspondence already sent to you in recent weeks regarding how this proposal is going to affect the residents already living in the areas of Market Close and West Street, Bampton. It will affect lighting, privacy and security. There will be an increase in traffic and the play area will cause problems with litter and noise.
Kim Aitkin - Application No. 23/00118/MFUL
Question 1
I don’t understand why the current houses are being knocked down. The play area proposed will have an impact on the residents living in the area.