Meeting documents

In the absence of the Vice Chairman, Cllr. Mike Best was appointed as Vice Chairman for the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2014, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and, having been approved were signed by the Chairman, as a correct record of the proceedings.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Maxwell, Nigel Mermagen and Linda Vijeh.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct. A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. 

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15^th May 2014, where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs  2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council's Regulation Committee:

Councillors. Mike Best, Angie Singleton and Linda Vijeh

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, in accordance with the Council's Code of Practice on Planning, Members of the Regulation Committee can participate and vote on these items at the Area Committee and at Regulation Committee.  In these cases the Council's decision-making process is not complete until the application is determined by the Regulation Committee.  Members of the Regulation Committee retain an open mind and will not finalise their position until the Regulation Committee.  They will also consider the matter at Regulation Committee as Members of that Committee and not as representatives of the Area Committee.

Councillor Angie Singleton declared an interest in Planning Application No. 14/04748/FUL, as she had previously made her position on the application clear and did not feel she could judge the application fairly if called upon to use her casting vote.  She indicated that she would leave the room during consideration of the item.

Councillor Carol Goodall declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application No. 14/04748/FUL, as Chair of Ilminster Town Council Open Spaces Committee.  She indicated that she would make a short statement prior to leaving the room.

Councillor Kim Turner declared a personal interest in Planning Application No. 14/04748/FUL, as members of her family were or had been involved in Ilminster Youth Football and Ilminster Town Football Club.

Councillor Andrew Turpin declared a personal interest in Planning Application No. 14/04662/OUT, as Chairman of Tatworth & Forton Parish Council.  He commented that he had not taken part in the discussion or taken a view at the Parish Council meeting when the application was discussed.

This is a chance to ask questions, make comments and raise matters of concern.

Parish/Town Councils may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town.

Anyone wishing to raise matters in relation to items on the agenda may do so at the time the item is considered.

No questions or comments were raised by members of the public.

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

Reference was made to the agenda report, which informed members of the proposed Area West Committee Forward Plan.

The Area Development Manager (West) informed members that the report on the LEADER Programme for Rural Economic Development expected in January would be delayed until February, as the programme would not formally be launched until mid February.

The Area Development Manager (West) advised that an item on Planning Appeal measures presented by the Development Manager would be added to the Forward Plan for January.

During discussion, members requested a further update on the Chard Regeneration Scheme following the Board meeting being held on 21^st January 2015.  The Area Development Manager (West) agreed to forward the request for an update to the Chard Regeneration Board.  An update on Chard Eastern Development Area was also requested.

Members were content to note the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED: That the Area West Committee Forward Plan be noted as attached to the agenda subject to the above amendments.

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Members noted the verbal report from Councillor Ros Roderigo as part of Agenda Item 8.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer (West) summarised the agenda report, which updated members on the work of the Blackdown Hills AONB partnership during the last 12 months to which the Council provided joint funding.

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she informed members about the following:

·         The Management Plan was now complete and a copy was available on the website;

·         The proposed Natural Futures Project has been successful in gaining a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund; allowing the 3 year project to commence in January 2015;

·         Activities & Events that have been organised across the AONB area including rustic chair making and singing carols by candlelight;

·         Metal Makers Project;

·         Making It Local community EU Funding Programme.

Cllr. Ros Roderigo expressed her thanks to the Neighbourhood Development Officer for leading on the Making It Local Bid and for her excellent report. She updated members on the A303 proposals in relation to the Blackdown Hills.  She reported that it was good news that Somerset County Council had agreed to continue to support the AONB.  She hoped that the District Council would continue to support the Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership in the future.

Members thanked Cllr. Ros Roderigo for all her work with the Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership.

Members noted the report and expressed their support for the work of the Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership.

NOTED.

The Committee noted the details contained in the agenda report, which informed members of an appeal decision.

NOTED.

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications to be determined by Committee.

The Chairman announced that she wished to change the order of the agenda and would take Planning Application No.14/04662/OUT prior to Planning Application No. 14/03945/FUL.

Application proposal: The erection of a clubhouse/changing rooms, provision of a football pitch, floodlighting and formation of a new vehicular access and improved pedestrian access.

Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Councillor Carol Goodall made a statement prior to leaving the room during consideration of the item.

The Planning Officer with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda report including the key considerations.  He updated members that the County Archaeologist was satisfied with the application subject to conditions.  The Highway Authority raised no objections to the application and was satisfied with the access and parking facilities; and had recommended two conditions to be attached to the application.  He referred to the concerns of the Highway Authority regarding the access when the Medical Centre was constructed and advised that a 3^rd party issue had delayed construction and a temporary access was formed.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.  He amended his recommendation to include the following additional conditions:

·         Drainage condition

·         County Archaeologist conditions

·         Highway conditions

·         Lighting related condition

In response to questions, the Planning Officer clarified points of detail raised by members.  Members were informed of the following:

·         The ridge height of the building was 5 ½ metres;

·         There was currently no parking on the site;

·         The Planning Officer was unable to confirm whether Ilminster Town Council had registered community interest in the land.

Prior to leaving the room, Councillor Carol Goodall displayed a number of photographs highlighting the state of the current football facilities.  The facilities had been vandalised in recent years and there was currently no heating in the building.  She commented that the Football Club was in desperate of the facilities and that the proposal would be a launch pad for a much larger project in the town.

The Committee noted the comments of Cllr. E J Taylor representing Ilminster Town Council.  She commented that the facilities were much needed and would offer other residents community facilities and the car park would reduce parking on Canal Way.  The original plan was for 25 car parking spaces but his had been increased to meet Highway Authority conditions.  She confirmed that Ilminster Town Council had put in a community right to buy bid on the land and that negotiations were ongoing.  She believed that the project could benefit dog walkers, the cricket club as well as the football club.

Comments raised by Mr Skelsey, Mrs Skelsey, Mrs Mitchell, Mr Lusby and Susan Moore in objection to the application were noted by the Committee.  Points mentioned included the following:

·         Lack of consultation on the proposals;

·         Loss of community space that is used for activities other than sport e.g. dog walking, picnics etc.;

·         Access considered inappropriate for the GP Surgery;

·         Concern over the increase in car parking spaces;

·         Support for the principle of new facilities but not supportive of the proposed location;

·         There was no need for another drinking establishment in the town;

·         The peaceful  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

Application proposal: The erection of 6 No. dwellings with associated parking

The Planning Officer with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda report including the key considerations.  There were no updates to the report.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.

In response to a member question, the Planning Officer clarified that the application had been referred to Committee for consideration as the application was a departure from the existing local plan.

Members indicated their support for the application.  It was therefore proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried unanimously in favour.

Application proposal: Outline application for the erection of 1 No. dwelling.

Having earlier declared an interest, Councillor Angie Singleton left the room during consideration of the application.  Councillor Mike Best took the chair for the item.

The Planning Officer with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda report and outlined the key considerations.  There were no updates to the report.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for refusal.

In response to a member question, the Planning Officer clarified that the previous applications had been refused under delegated powers.  As the Parish Council had changed their opinion from the previous applications it was felt that the application should be considered by the Committee.

The Committee noted the comments of Martyn Payser and Raymond Whitehead in objection to the application.  Points mentioned included the following:

·         The application had caused stress to the occupants of the neighbouring property;

·         Inadequate parking;

·         There would be an unavoidable discharge of materials on the road;

·         Impact on sewerage infrastructure;

·         No benefit to the community.

The Applicant informed members that the site had previously been divided by the development limit but it no longer existed. He referred to the application being totally new and should be considered under new rules and regulations.  The Parish Council had approved the application because of the need for small family houses in the village.

In response to a member comment, the Area Lead West clarified that the development area policy was changing in terms of what sites were sustainable.  He advised that members needed to assess the application on its own merits whilst having respect to the history and not just the case of the development area.  He drew members’ attention to the Planning Inspector conclusions in that all previous reasons for refusal were based upon the loss of an important visual break between the buildings.  Members also needed to consider if the location was appropriate for the proposed development.

Ward Member, Councillor Andrew Turpin commented that the Parish Council believed that the dwelling was in keeping with the surrounding area, would not be cramped and would be acceptable without a break.  The need for small affordable housing was vital as there was very little in the village.  He referred to a dwelling at the other end of the village that was also irregular in shape which was on the end of a conservation area.

In response to a member comment, the Area Lead West advised that members should have regard to Policy SS2 which focused upon affordable housing and acknowledge the need for housing but also balance this with the concerns of the Planning Inspector.

During discussion on the item, it was proposed and seconded to refuse the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation outlined in the report.  A number of comments were also expressed by members, which included the following:

·         There were no planning reasons to approve the application;

·         The Planning Inspectorate decisions were not based upon the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 21^st January 2015 at 5.30pm at the Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne.