Meeting documents

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 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 subject to the following amendments:

Paul Maxwell to be included under Apologies for Absence.

Page 14 – Planning Application No. 14/04662/OUT, first bullet point to be amended to read:

The application had caused stress to the occupants of the neighbouring property.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mike Best, John Dyke, Sue Osborne and Kim Turner.

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 a personal interest in Agenda Item 8 – A Better Crewkerne and District (ABCD), as an active member of ABCD.

Councillors Dave Bulmer and Carol Goodall declared personal interests in Agenda Item 9 – Demonstration of the Market Town Apps, as representatives on the Market Town App.

Councillor Jenny Kenton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10 – Securing Future Facilities for Chard, as Chard Area Youth Committee was a beneficiary from the Chard Town Council Mayors’ fund.

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.

Public participation was taken at the time of the item.

The Chairman gave an update from the meeting of the Chard Regeneration Board held earlier in the day

The Chairman announced that she would take Agenda Item 10 - Securing Future Facilities for Chard prior to Agenda Item 9 – Demonstration of the Market Town Apps.

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 work/role of the Conservation Team expected at the February meeting would be postponed and would be included as part of the training programme for the new committee.

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 amendment.

Cllr. Mike Best was absent from the meeting and therefore an update report was not given.

Diane Butler, Chairman of ABCD (A Better Crewkerne & District) was welcomed to the meeting.  With the aid of a powerpoint presentation, she gave an update on the work of ABCD and the Community Plan.  ABCD is a small charity that develops projects and initiatives that help make improvements in the town. She highlighted some of the projects that ABCD had been involved with including the following:

·         Contributed funding towards providing art work to brighten up the youth centre;

·         Provided funding towards a project for A Better Skate Park in Crewkerne;

·         Involved with the Community Pounds Project;

·         The Theatre in Shops Project which had received lots of positive feedback;

·         As part of promoting Crewkerne, a new leaflet and postcards had been produced.

Members were informed that work had already started on a new community plan to establish what issues were important to people in Crewkerne.  Consultation had been undertaken at public events and focus group sessions with a variety of people in the town. A household survey would shortly be delivered to every household in the town and the results of the survey would be used to write a new Community Plan and establish an action plan of new projects.

The Committee thanked Diane Butler for attending the meeting and for the continuing work of ABCD. The Chairman also thanked the Neighbourhood Development Officer for her work in supporting ABCD.  Members were pleased to note the progress being made.

RESOLVED: That the report and presentation be noted.

The Area Development Manager (West) introduced the Market Towns Investment Group (MTIG) Marketing Intern.

The MTIG Marketing Intern explained that her role was to co-ordinate the development and promotion of the South Somerset Market Towns App.  She provided an informative presentation on the new Market Towns app. She explained that volunteers and businesses provided the content information and each had the ability to update their own information. The presentation included information about:

·         Features of the app – special offers, galleries, integrated maps, shops and events etc.

·         Development of the app and promotion

·         Statistics about use

·         Further promotion and continuing to enhance the content

Members congratulated the MTIG Marketing Intern on the work that she had undertaken.

The Chairman thanked the MTIG Marketing Intern for her informative presentation.

RESOLVED:  That the presentation be noted.

(Voting: unanimous)

Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Councillor Jenny Kenton left the room during consideration of the item.

The Area Development Manager (West) introduced the report which explained the current position with regard to Chard Area Youth Committee (CAYC).  Members were being asked to allocate funding from the Area West Reserve towards the payment of rent charges and costs of a bid for National Lottery funding.

The Committee was addressed by PCSO Hickey, Jason Baker and Tricia O’Brien. Points mentioned included the following:

·         There was a desperate need for a sustained youth centre facility in Chard which assisted with discouraging anti-social behaviour;

·         Reference was made to the previous financial mismanagement of the centre and that every effort was now being made by the new Management Committee to improve the financial situation; 

·         The Centre had a group of dedicated volunteers who were committed to keeping the youth centre open;

·         The Chard Area Youth Committee was looking at exploring other ways of funding and was planning to approach local businesses for support with initiatives.

During consideration of the item, members made a number of comments which included the following:

·         Although the current situation was serious, the youth centre was an important facility for Chard and should not be lost;

·         It was essential to take steps to stop anti-social behaviour in the town;

·         It was hoped that by September other funding would be obtained and the situation would not happen again;

·         Options would continue to be explored to try and find a viable and improved facility for the future;

·         It was suggested that SSDC finance officers should look through CAYC’s Business Plan;

·         It was highlighted that there were companies who write bids for no fees;

·         It was suggested that CAYC should contact the Somerset Rural Youth Project for support;

·         In order to avoid a similar situation in the future, it was felt that consideration should be given to the possibility of appointing a member to the Committee.

In response to a member comment, the Area Development Manager (West) explained that the rental value of the building was set by the District Valuer and that the bid writing consultancy had been suggested by Chard Area Youth Committee because of their successful track record.

Members unanimously supported the recommendations outlined in the report.

(Voting: unanimous)

Sgt. Rob Jameson from Avon and Somerset Constabulary was welcomed to the meeting and he gave a short presentation informing members of local issues in Area West including crime trends and initiatives.  He reported on the latest position with staffing, and specific operations and activities in Area West. 

During the ensuing discussion, the police officer responded to members’ comments and questions.  Points mentioned included the following:

·         The number of positive results for drink driving was up in relation to the number of stop checks undertaken;

·         A lot more focus was being placed on tackling issues associated with night time economy;

·         There was an increase in the number of thefts of motor cars particularly in relation to older vehicles.  20 incidences had been reported in the last 6 months which was considered as still being relatively low.

The Chairman thanked the police officer for attending the meeting.  A further update would be given in 6 months’ time.

NOTED. 

Members noted the report informing them of the decision to place The Lord Poulett Arms, High Street, the car park at Green Street/Hinton Close and the School House and Playing Fields, West Street, Hinton St George on the SSDC Register of Assets of Community Value.

NOTED.

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

Application proposal: The erection of 1 No. detached dwellinghouse (revised application)

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 report was for approval.

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

·         The boundary with the adjoining property would be relatively tight;

·         In response to a comment over whether the applicant had considered locating the proposed dwellinghouse straight on the plot rather than on the angle, members were reminded that they were being asked to make a decision on the application before them.

The Committee was addressed by the Applicant’s Agent, Andrew Preston.  He commented that the proposed dwelling was in keeping with the surrounding area, was of an attractive design, situated within a sustainable location close to village services and wouldn’t extend development into the open countryside.  There were no objections from the Landscape Officer.  The new proposal was set back although there was no consistent building line in Frog Lane.  There would be no overlooking and an appropriate boundary treatment was proposed and the design was similar to other properties in the area.  He referred to the Parish Council raising an objection but not objecting to the original application.  He urged members to support the officer’s recommendation and approve the application.

Ward Member, Cllr. Ros Roderigo commented that representatives from the Parish Council had visited the site and were of the view that the proposed dwelling was still too far in front of the current building line and that the angle was even worse than the original application.  She was concerned that the proposed dwelling looked directly into the neighbouring property and also had an issue with the parking.

During discussion the following views were expressed by members of the Committee:

·         The siting of the proposed dwelling was not ideal but the issue of the proposed dwelling being overbearing to Classet House had been addressed;

·         It was felt that the building was still too far forward;

·         The design was an improvement and considered acceptable;

·         Concerns over the orientation of the proposed dwelling and difference in height in relation to Classet House.

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried 5 in favour, 4 against and 1 abstention.

Application proposal: Alterations and conversion of redundant mill site to residential to include 23 No. converted to residential units and 22 No. new build dwellings (total 45 No. residential units), demolition of factory buildings including portions of listed buildings and altered vehicular access to Tail Mill Lane.

The Planning Officer with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set in the agenda report.  She informed members that a meeting had been held with local residents regarding the access and it had been agreed that a bollard would be placed at the north end of Tail Mill Lane which the residents felt was an appropriate solution.

In updating the report, the Planning Officer confirmed that the Conservation Manager was content with the amended plans subject to conditions. She proposed a number of amendments to the recommendation outlined in the report as follows:

·         The design conditions to be collated into one large condition;

·         An additional condition to cover phasing of the development;

·         Condition 28 to be amended to include the installation of a bollard;

·         Condition 33 to be amended to read prior to occupation rather than commencement;

·         A S106 Agreement that secures a review mechanism of viability after 3 years.

The Planning Officer advised that an additional letter had been received from the Parish Council referring to the village plan and that additional houses should be supported.  They expressed concern that the application didn’t provide a S106 and requested that the application be deferred in order to consider the mix of housing. 

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

·         The lane was a private un-adopted road and was part of the Parrett Trail;

·         There was a limited bus service in the village.  There was a bus stop at Lower Street and residents would be able to walk to the stop from the site;

·         The bollard would be situated at the northern end of the lane and would not restrict cycling or walking;

·         The intention was for the bollard to be unlocked at certain times of the day;

·         The majority of  traffic would use the A356;

·         The replacement of the factory or affordable housing was not part of the mix in the 2008 application;

·         The agenda report only included a summary of the Environment Agency comments.  A more lengthy response was available on file;

·         S106 obligations were not part of the 2008 application;

·         Two parking spaces per unit would be provided;

·         The phasing condition would ensure that work would start on the listed building first.

The Committee was addressed by James Dore in support of the application.  He welcomed the application and commented that the site had fallen into disrepair.  He felt that the design was sympathetic with much of the site being retained.  Reference was made to the lane which was extremely narrow and support for the installation of a bollard to ensure safety. Although he supported the application, he referred to there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

Application proposal: Alterations and conversion of redundant mill site to residential to include 23 No. converted to residential units and 22 No. new build dwellings (total 45 No. residential units), demolition of factory buildings including portions of listed buildings and altered vehicular access to Tail Mill Lane

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation outlined in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried unanimously.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Area West Committee would be held on Wednesday 18^th February 2015 at 5.30pm at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.