Meeting documents

Application Proposal: Change of use of redundant agricultural buildings to B1 (Business), B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage and Distribution)

The Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation which included photographs and proposed plans.

He explained that the buildings had not been used for agricultural purposes and that there was a high demand for storage facilities, however the site was situated some distance from the town and therefore he recommended that the planning application be refused. He further pointed out that he was disappointed that at farm diversification plan had not been submitted as part of the application.

Ms Lilian Elson spoke in objection to the application. She was concerned that the site was situated down a narrow lane which was busy with lots of traffic. She also raised concern that if the nursing home was to be re-built, ambulances would need to gain access.

Mr Giles Garten, the agent, addressed the Committee. He explained that there were tenants ready to move into the units, which were looking for storage space, rather than office space. He advised that the access road was wide and has been used by articulated vehicles in the past.

Councillor Hayward Burt, Ward Member, explained that there had been no highway, rights of way or Parish Council objections and that the road was wide. He suggested that there was a need for more jobs and businesses in the area and offered his support to the application.

Councillor William Wallace, also Ward Member, explained that he agreed with the comments made by Councillor Hayward Burt and also offered his support to application.

Following a short discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the planning application be approved subject to conditions to ensure a time limit for implementation, noise mitigation measures and to detail approved plans.

On being put to the vote, this was carried 7 votes in support with 1 against.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 17/00561/COU be approved, contrary to the planning officers recommendation, for the following reason;

01        The proposal would constitute an acceptable form of farm diversification making good use of existing buildings without detriment to residential or visual amenity or highways safety. As such the proposal complies with policies SD1, TA5, EP5 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and Chapter 12 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: Location Plan, and 15/01/4 received 6 February 2017.

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

03.       Prior to a B2 Use being undertaken in any unit hereby approved details to show the noise mitigation measures for the unit shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The details as agreed shall be undertaken as part of the development hereby approved and thereafter retained.

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

(Voting: 7 in support, 1 against)