Meeting documents

Application Proposal: Change of use of agricultural buildings to sui generis for use as a wedding car hire business. To include a new build ‘link’ barn, replacement of existing store with office, engineering works to level ground (retrospective) and installation of septic tank

 

The Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. He explained that the applicant had agreed to the draft unilateral undertaking agreement in respect of the existing buildings on site.

 

He advised members that he had received two additional letters of objection from neighbours which offered concerns over noise and light and highlighted that works had begun on site without planning permission.

 

Mrs P Williams addressed the committee and spoke in objection to the application. She felt that this commercial enterprise was not well suited to the agricultural rural area. She also raised concern that the boundary trees would be damaged.

 

Mr P Shinar, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He explained that the caravan and asbestos roofs had been removed from the site and that unsafe buildings were being replaced. He informed members that the proposed large building would be for the storage of vehicles. He advised that the track had been removed and that he had been trying to address issues over landscaping and drainage on the site. It was his intention to improve the appearance of the site through renovation and landscaping. He clarified that the workshop would be used to repair cars associated with the business only.

 

Councillor Mike Beech, Ward Member, offered support to the application. He explained that the building had be replaced at the structure was dangerous. He also pointed out that the applicant had offered an evergreen planting scheme along the boundary which he shared with an adjoining neighbour. 

 

During the discussion, the amount of cars and the vehicle movements to and from the site were discussed. It was suggested that the number of the cars stored on the site should be restricted. Lighting around the site was also discussed.

 

The applicant confirmed that he had approximately 35 vehicles in his collection which were used for wedding hire. He also confirmed that there would be no lighting around the site.

 

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved, subject to conditions;

 

- to ensure a three year time limit on commencement

- to specify approved plan numbers

- to approve visibility splays

- to approve landscaping to ensure planting along boundary with neighbour

- to approve a drainage plan

- to agree external materials

- to ensure no external lighting on the site

- to specify use of the site for privately owned vehicles only. (The wording of this condition to be agreed with Chairman, Ward Member and applicant.)

- to agree a Noise Mitigation plan for workshop building.

 

On being out to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:  that planning application 16/05379/FUL be approved contrary to the officers recommendation subject to conditions to;

 

- ensure a three year time limit on commencement to specify approved plan numbers

- approve visibility splays

- approve landscaping to ensure planting along boundary with neighbour

- approval of a drainage plan

- to agree external materials

- to ensure no external lighting on the site

- to specify use of the site for privately owned vehicles only. (The wording of this condition to be agreed with Chairman, Ward Member and applicant.)

- to agree a Noise Mitigation plan for the workshop building.

 

For the following reason:

 

01.         The proposed development is in a sustainable location for a proposal of this nature that makes good use of the existing buildings without increased flood risk or detriment to residential amenity, the character of the locality or the pattern of rural development. As such the proposal complies with policies SD1, SS1, SS2, SS3, TA1, TA5, EP4 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028 and the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

Subject to the following conditions;

 

01.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

 

Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 

02.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 3.3, 4.2 and 513.0002-001 (Transport Statement), and Site Location Plan received 5.01.2017; 5.3 received 17.02.2017; and Landscaping plan, and 513.5002.101 received 12.04.2017.

 

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

03.       There shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 900 millimetres above adjoining road level in advance of lines drawn 2.4 metres back from the carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 215m either side of the access. Such visibility shall be maintained at all times.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

04.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, which shall include indications of all existing trees on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of the development, as well as details of any changes proposed in existing ground levels; all planting, seeding, or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the building or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

 

Reason: In the interests of character and visual appearance, further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

05.       The details of the Drainage Technical Note shall be undertaken and provided on site as part of the approved development in accordance with drawing no. 513.5002.101, received 12.04.2017 and thereafter retained.

 

Reason: In the interests of neighbour amenity further to policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

06.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until particulars of the materials (including the provision of samples where appropriate) to be used for external walls and roofs including colours have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: In the interests of character and visual appearance, further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

07.       No external lighting shall at any time be installed and/ or operated on any part of the site, except as in accordance with details showing the shielding and orientation of any light source away from neighbouring occupants and reducing light spillage away from the pitch which shall previously have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: In the interests of rural character and visual appearance, and neighbour amenity, further to Policy EQ2 of the south Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

08.       Within 3 months of the decision date a scheme of noise mitigation shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such a scheme shall have regard to the workshop identified as barn C in the approved plans to include the hours of work, details of noise and sound insulation of the building, and the equipment used. Such details as agreed shall be implemented and thereafter retained.

Reason: In the interests of neighbour amenity further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

 

09.       The use hereby permitted shall be for the storage of a private collection of cars with ancillary hire of vehicles in the private collection. No vehicles other than those permanently kept at the premises shall be hired from the site.

 

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved in this rural locality.

 

10.       The workshop premises within Barn C hereby approved shall only be used to work on cars that form part of the private collection and are permanently kept at the site.

 

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved in this rural locality.

 

11.       There shall be no car sales from this site.

 

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved in this rural locality.

 

(Voting: Unanimous)