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) No1 on the Plans List (19/00435/FULL – Siting of a storage building – Mid Devon District Council – Unit 3, Carlu Close, Hitchcocks Business Park, Willand) be granted planning permission as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
(b) No 2 on the Plans List (19/00118/MOUT – Outline for the erection of up to 105 dwellings, associated landscaping, public open space and allotments together with vehicle and pedestrian access from Siskin Chase and pedestrian access from Colebrooke Lane – land at NGR 301216 106714 (West of Siskin Chase) Colebrooke Lane, Cullompton).
The Area Team Leader outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting that all matters except the access arrangements would be matters for future applications. The officer gave an overview of the site by way of a presentation and photographs of the site and surrounding road access and explained that the plans were indicative at this point and that access was the only matter for consideration.
She explained that the access point through Siskin Chase was a policy decision and that a road safety audit had been completed and Devon County Council Highways Authority had no objections to the route.
She addressed specific questions raised by members of the public:
· She would confirm when the necessary official calculations on housing land supply would be completed
· The land at Colebrooke Lane was not under the control of DCC Highways or the developer and therefore permanent access at this point into the site was not viable
· Siskin Chase had been identified as the access point into the site and formed part of agreed policy and the road safety audit and DCC did not have any objections or concerns re increased traffic flow
Consideration was given to:
· The 5 year land supply and the housing test delivery results
· The views of the objector who felt that the development was not sustainable and that the access point through Siskin Chase was not wide enough to support additional traffic flow
· The views of the agent who had sited the access point in Siskin Chase in accordance with the Planning Authority’s accepted policy
· The views of the Town Council who were not opposed to the development but felt that the access into the site from Siskin Close was unsuitable because of the volume of traffic which would be generated by the development. An access point into the development from Colebrooke Lane was recommended
· The views of the ward member who felt that the photographs provided by the Planning officer were misleading and that the Colebrooke Lane entrance would be wider than the Siskin Chase entrance and would be more suitable
· The views of the Highways Officer who stated that the land along Colebrooke Lane was outside of the control of both DCC and the developer and therefore could not be widened to accommodate a permanent access point and a viable road junction
· Concerns from members who felt that the agreed local policy siting the access point through Siskin Chase was flawed as the road was too narrow
· The confirmation from DCC Highways that the Siskin Chase access was acceptable in terms of traffic volumes and flow and that they had no objections to the proposals
· The concerns of members who felt that if the Colebrooke Lane access flooded whilst the site was being developed that construction traffic would go into the site via Siskin Chase
It was therefore:
RESOLVED that the application be deferred for further discussions between Officers and the Agent to consider the possibility of a permanent vehicular access route from Colebrook Lane into the site.
(Proposed by Cllr S J Clist and seconded by Cllr B G J Warren)
Notes:
i) Cllr R Dolley declared a personal interest as he was a sponsor of the Rugby Club which was situation next to the proposed development;
ii) Cllr R Radford declared a personal as he was a sponsor of the Rugby Club which was situation next to the proposed development;
iii) Mr Harris spoke on behalf of the objectors;
iv) Mr Brown (Agent) spoke;
v) Cllr E J Berry spoke as Ward Member (Cullompton South);
vi) A proposal to support the application was not supported
vii) Cllrs R Dolley and R Radford requested that their abstentions to the original proposal be recorded
viii) Cllrs B G J Warren, S J Clist and E J Berry made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing with Planning Matters as they had received correspondence about the application
(b) No 3 on the Plans List (18/01800/MFUL – Construction of an on-farm anaerobic digestion plan and associated infrastructure – land at NGR 285024 100245 (East of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Crediton)).
The Principal Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting the site location and the proximity to Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.
He addressed specific questions raised by members of the public:
· Condition 9 stated that there shall be no storage of any feedstock other than silage within the application site except within the sealed digestate storage tanks
· The new access would be raised above the flood level and there were no objections from the Environment Agency
· Removed digestate would generally go over fields but local transport firms would be utilised to take it over the road network where required
· There was the potential to have liquid digestate pumped but it did not form part of this application
· Environmental Health did not have any issues with the proposal in terms of air pollution
Consideration was given to:
· The views of the objector who was concerned about dust and debris emitting from the proposed site and the effect this could have on a blue chip company
· The views of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council who were opposed to the application on the grounds of odour and airborne dust
· The views of the ward members who were concerned about the effect on the carbon footprint with material being brought in from different locations
· The concerns of members with regards to contracts with companies listed on the supplier list which could be amended or changed by the applicant
· The landscaping arrangements and how to ensure the plant was screened from view
· The views of a member with experience of an AD plant in the district which had been objected to but was now up and running well and that a liaison group had been implemented with local residents to ensure the plant operators kept local people informed
It was therefore:
RESOLVED that: planning permission be granted subject to conditions as recommended by the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration with a further condition with regard to additional landscaping to be incorporated as part of the proposal and an informative note to encourage a voluntary liaison group to be created so that local residents and the operator could keep an open dialogue on the running of the plant.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Notes:
i) Cllrs F W Letch, B G J Warren, L J Cruwys, S J Clist, D J Knowles, R F Radford, Mrs C Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren and S J Penny made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing with Planning Matters as they had received correspondence about the application
ii) Mr Fishleigh spoke on behalf of the objectors;
iii) Mr Kerslake (Agent) spoke;
iv) Cllr Mortimer spoke on behalf of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council
v) Cllr D R Coren and Cllr S J Penny spoke as Ward Members (Yeo)
Supporting documents: