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:
(i) No 5 on the Plans List (18/00445/RSM- Reserved matters for the erection of 3 dwellings, Land adjacent to 25 Cowley Moor Road, Tiverton) be approved subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: Cllr R L Stanley declared a personal interest as a Director of 3 Rivers Developments Limited and chose to leave the meeting at this point whilst the vote was taken thereon.
(b) No 1 on the Plans List (17/01716/FULL - Widening of the existing access to agricultural land - land at NGR 292482 101905 – School Lane, Thorverton).
The Principal Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report referring to the statements made in public question time and stating that he would cover the issues raised during his presentation. He highlighted the views of the Conservation Officer, the additional letters of objections and the landscape plan which were available on the update sheet and presented the history of the application; that of the original application, the site visits that had taken place and the revised scheme for a new single access which would widen the existing access. The presentation highlighted the aerial view of the site, the location of the field, the position of the existing access, the location plan, he identified the footpath exiting the Glebe, the highway plans, the bend in the lane, the vegetation that would be cut back and the additional plan which showed the landscaping proposals. He explained that the application would allow the applicant to travel north from the site, rather than south and having to take another route to travel towards the home farm. He explained that the other accesses to the field were also via very narrow lanes with limited visibility. He felt that the current proposal was a betterment.
Consideration was given to:
· The number of objections to the application
· The size of the field
· The number of trips on a daily basis from the field
· Whether the other access should be considered
· The views of the objectors with regard to road safety issues and the impact on the visual amenity, the misleading plans previously submitted, the narrow blind bend, the impact on the Conservation Area and the number of people who used the lane
· The views of the agent with regard to the reasoning for the application, the fact that the access to the field would be improved and the views of the Highway Authority
· The views of the Ward Member highlighting the road safety issues and the environmental impact of the application on the Conservation Area, the access was now on an industrial scale, concerns of the safety of foot traffic in the lane and the fact that the landscaping would grow and encroach on the highway.
· How the application would improve the access to the field
· Whether the new track was required even with larger machinery
· Drainage issues
· The need to consider the application on planning merits
RESOLVED that Members were minded to refuse the application and therefore wished to defer the application for consideration of an implications report to consider reasons for refusal to include:
· Highway Safety
· The environmental impact of the proposal
· The visual impact on the Conservation Area and the character of the area
· The possible lack of business need
· The general pedestrian safety issue given the presence of the school in the locality
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr F W Letch)
Notes:
i) Cllrs: Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, Mrs G Doe, C J Eginton, R Evans, D J Knowles, F W Letch, R F Radford, J D Squire and R L Stanley made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing in Planning Matters as they had all received correspondence regarding this application;
ii) Mrs Greed spoke on behalf of the objectors;
iii) Mr Dyson (Agent) spoke;
iv) Cllr R M Deed spoke as Ward Member;
v) A proposal to approve the application was not supported;
vi) Cllrs Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs F J Colthorpe, R F Radford and J D Squire requested that their vote against the decision be recorded;
vii) The following late information was reported:
Response from Conservation Officer – 30th May 2018
‘I do feel that the previous proposal with the small island is preferable as it would minimise the impact on the landscape and setting of the CA. However provided that the revised idea includes a good well designed landscape mitigation plan with indigenous planting to soften the scars of the excavation then I would not object.’
Nine additional letters of objection received objecting on similar grounds already reported on within the officer report but one new comment states that the applicant could be encouraged to submit an application for a cattle shed at Yellowford Farm to house crops rather than transport them to Woodbury thereby removing the need for the access.
The applicant’s agent has submitted a landscape plan, drawing no. TM81k.PH1e, which shows the proposed planting of mixed Whitethorn and Blackthorn on the newly excavated banks.
(c) No 2 on the Plans List (18/00091/MFUL- conversion of former redundant care home to provide 22 residential units and external landscaping – St Lawrence Home, Churchill Drive, Crediton).
The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report highlighting by way of presentation the location of the site, the access to the units, the separation distances between the existing buildings and the boundaries with neighbouring properties, the road links to the site, the proposed layout and the 37 car parking spaces, the proposed ground floor plan, the elevations of the different aspects of the proposal and photographs from various aspects of the site. He emphasised that the building had been vacant since March 2015 and had been rated as such by Mid Devon District Council.
Consideration was given to:
· The proposed insulated thermal panels
· The location of the cycle parking
· The number of units to be provided in the space available
· The need to do something with the property and improve it visually
· Parking issues at school times
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration with an amendment to Condition 4 replacing the drawing number from 1723-104B with 1723-104C and the prior signing of the provision of a S106 agreement to secure:
i) To provide a contribution of £44,875.00 towards improving Air Quality within the Crediton AQMA, secured to deliver a footpath/cycleway connection between the two Secondary school campus areas in the Town.
ii) To provide a contribution of £18,575.00 towards the provision of off-site open space, secured to deliver the installation of an all-weather cover over Lords Meadow Skate Park in the Town.
(Proposed by Cllr F W Letch and seconded by Cllr Mrs G Doe)
Notes:
i) Cllr F W Letch declared a personal interest as Ward Member and a Member of the Town Council;
ii) Cllr F W Letch spoke as Ward Member;
iii) The following late information was reported:Page 24: Confirmation that 37 spaces are proposed as reported and assessed on page 30 of the Report; Page 29: Confirmation that the Mid Devon District has rated the property as vacant since March 2015.
(d) No 3 on the Plans List (18/00062/MFUL- Erection of a two storey extension, 18 Great Close, Culmstock).
The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report explaining by way of presentation the household domestic extension proposed on the site, she highlighted the site location and block plans, the roof plan, floor and elevation plans and provided photographs from various aspects of the site. She compared the proposal to the extension on the neighbouring property which she felt was of a better design and not as wide as the proposed extension.
Consideration was given to:
· The height of the proposal and the fact that it could be identified from the street
· The views of the agent with regard to the applicant wanting 2 additional bedrooms, hence the width of the proposal and the fact there were other extensions in the same locality
· The views of the Ward Member in that the difference between the 2 extensions was minor and that there was a need for 2 additional bedrooms
· The lack of objection from neighbouring properties
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for the following reason: it was felt that the scale, massing, impact on amenity and design was deemed to be acceptable on this dwelling and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration to produce a set of conditions.
(Proposed by Cllr C J Eginton and seconded by Cllr Mrs C A Collis)
Notes:
i) Mr Archer (Agent) spoke;
ii) Cllr T G Hughes spoke as Ward Member.
(e) No 4 on the Plans List (18/00328/MFUL- Siting of a cabin for use as hairdressing salon (Use Class A1) 11 Redland Way, Cullompton).
The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report highlighting by way of presentation the location of the application, the block plan and elevations for the proposal and photographs from various aspects of the site. She explained that objections had been received based on parking issues, although she considered that there was sufficient parking in the area.
Consideration was given to:
· The use of the proposed cabin and access to the rear garden
· The views of the Ward Member with regard to the opening hours of the venture and whether this would impact on neighbouring residents
· The objection from the Town Council with regard to overdevelopment of the site and the lack of customer parking
RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
(Proposed by Cllr F W Letch and seconded by Cllr D J Knowles)
Notes:
i) Cllr T W Snow spoke as Ward Member;
ii)
The following late information was reported:
1 additional letter of representation received
making reference to difficulties parking in the area and potential
increase in traffic issues arising from the proposal. These issues
have been considered in the officer recommendation
report.
Supporting documents: