Agenda item

To consider the planning applications contained in the list.

The Committee considered the applications in the *Plans List.

1.      25/01234/LBC - Listed Building Consent for internal alterations to create 2 additional clinical rooms at Clare House Practice, Clare House, Newport Street, Tiverton.

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

·       As the building was a grade 2 listed building the Council must be mindful of the duty as set out in Section 16 of the Planning List Buildings and Conservation Areas Act of 1990 and to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building, it’s setting and features with special architectural or historic interests which it possessed.

·       The main issues raised included DM25 - development affecting heritage assets; DM1 - high quality design; and economic and social benefits.

·       The building was a large 19^th century house built on the site of Clare Parsonage and contained 20^th century alterations and extensions and was located within the Tiverton Conservation Area.

·       The proposal was for two additional clinical rooms to be created within the historical core of the heritage asset.

·       The proposed clinical rooms would result in the surviving and legible historic floor plan being adversely impacted through the division of the two rooms affecting the central fireplaces.

·       The new partitions were joined to the existing window which would result in a visual change externally.  The windows on the ground floor would adversely impact a historic and an architectural feature that could possibly contribute to the significance of the heritage asset.

·       The joining of the two walls would interrupt the existing features including the ceiling roses within the rooms.

·       The nature and extent of the proposal was considered less than substantial regarding the framework.  However, that should not be equated with a less than substantial planning objection.

·       As the works were largely internal it was considered that there would be no harm to the character or appearance of the Tiverton Conservation Area, and the harm would only be to the listed building.

·       The continued use of the building as a surgery would generate economic and social benefits however there was no evidence that such benefits could not be achieved by a different scheme which would not result in the harm identified.

·       Giving considerable importance and weight to the harm of the designated heritage asset it was found that the harm would not be outweighed by the public benefits.

In response to the public questions raised the Conservation Officer explained that it was for the Committee to reply as the questions were directed to the Committee.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·       Whether the changes could be easily reversible as Studio 4 in the report stated that the changes could be reversed.  It was explained that the application was for permanent changes.

·       The previous alterations made to the listed building.

·       Whether alternative changes had been proposed.  It was explained that to unlock funding available through the NHS, the changes had to be internal and not to trigger a planning application.  If an extension were to be looked at then planning permission would have been required.

·       Whether it was possible to add conditions in order that changes could be reversed if the building was to be sold in the future for example to use materials that could easily be removed.  It was explained that conditions could be added to that effect.

It was RESOLVED that building consent be granted subject to conditions that the work carried out would be reversed should the surgery vacate the building and that the Conservation Officer be consulted on the specific details of the method of the build-up, including section drawings to scale to show exactly how it would be inserted and installed as well as how the building would be reinstated.

The Development Management Manager would consult with the Chair of the Planning Committee and the Ward Member for the final wording of the conditions in accordance with the conditions discussed.  The conditions to be provided in good time for the applicant to begin the work in order that the grant money was not lost due to timescales.

(Proposed by Cllr J Downes and seconded by Cllr G DuChesne)

Notes:-

(i)              Dr Nick Sherwin spoke on behalf of the applicant.

(ii)             Cllr L Kennedy spoke on behalf of Tiverton Town Council.

(iii)           Cllr D Wulff spoke as the Ward Member

2.     25/01282/MFUL - Variation of Conditions 7 and 12 of Planning Permission 24/00506/MFUL (Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 10 affordable dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and other minor associated works) to allow substitution of approved plans to reflect revised cycle and refuse storage locations, landscaping strategy, and improved vehicular access at Garages and Forecourt at Watery Lane & Land at Elmore Way & Sunningbrook Road, Tiverton, Devon

The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of a presentation and highlighted the following:-

·       The application was to vary the conditions attached to an existing permission.

·       The application was to alter some of those approved plans specifically the landscaping and site plans.

·       There would be a slight rearrangement of how the car parking spaces would be laid out however there would be no changes to the amount of parking provided.

·       The hard surface to the rear of the site would be enlarged to allow improved access to residents to the southwest of the property for access to car parking spaces.

·       The landscaping scheme would be altered very slightly to ensure there was the required levels of biodiversity net gain which was still in excess of 10%.

·       A slight change to some of the positions of the recycling and bin stores was proposed.

·       There was not much change in terms of the impact on the character of the area.

·       There would be no changes to the living space and layout of the properties which all complied with the National Space Standards.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·       Land ownership and whether the proposed plans would be contested by the land owners.  It was confirmed that the plans had not been contested.

·       Whether the proposed changes would have an impact on the sewerage plans.  It was explained that there would be no impact.

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

(Proposed by Cllr G DuChesne and seconded by Cllr G Czapiewski)

*List and report previously circulated.