Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings held on 3^rd May 2017 and 18^th May 2017.

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 3^rd May 2017 and 18^th May 2017 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors John Clark and Kaysar Hussain.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), 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. 

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.  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. 

Planning Applications Referred to the District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Graham Oakes, David Recardo and Gina Seaton.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, 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 Rob Stickland declared a Personal interest in Agenda Item 14 Planning Application 17/01316/FUL as he lives near the application site. 

Councillor Gina Seaton declared a Personal interest in Agenda Item 13 Planning Application 17/01396/FUL as she is a member of West Coker Parish Council.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that:

·         Transformation Workshop 6-8pm Thursday 15^th June 2017 before Full Council.  Please could all Councillors try to attend to start to get involved in the practicalities of Transformation and help to identify ways that could be improved as a result of the new way of working.

·         Yeovil Refresh briefing session to take place immediately after the close of next month’s Area South Committee on 5^th July 2017.  Please let Jo know whether you will be attending if you haven’t already done so.

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

There were no reports made from representatives on outside organisations.

The Assistant Director, Communities introduced Tim Coombe and Claire Leonard from the Avon and Somerset Police Authority who were also in attendance.  She proceeded to present the report as detailed in the agenda including:

·         Informing members that Steve Brewer, the Community Safety Coordinator had now left the Authority and clarified the situation regarding current staffing arrangements and responsibilities at the present time. She also introduced Charley Dawes the Administrator for the Yeovil One Team.

·         The work of the Yeovil One Team identifying deprivation and community safety issues by working in a multi-agency way, including the work of the weekly Operational Group and the monthlyTactical Group.

·         Recent liaison with the Accident & Emergency department at Yeovil District Hospital to identify the individuals with frequent repeat attendance at the A & E department and looking with partners at the root causes as a way of reducing demand.

Tim Coombe, Avon and Somerset Police Authority reiterated the continued focus was on demand reduction, working with the most deprived in the community and the need to keep re-evaluating and the use of partnership working when dealing with these issues.

In response to members’ questions, he also confirmed that Yeovil Central area was the main focus although there is always a need to review to ensure the right areas are being looked at. He also explained the new body-worn cameras that front line officers were now equipped with and the many benefits since the introduction of these within the force.

Members thanked Tim Coombe and Claire Leonard from the Avon and Somerset Police Authority for attending committee and also wished to note their thanks to Steve Brewer, Community Safety Co-ordinator for all the excellent work he had done for the Authority.

NOTED

The Community Office Support Manager presented the report as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation gave details of the total community office footfall over the last three years highlighting the footfall of the core services including Benefits, Council Tax, Refuse and Recycling, Housing and Homelessness. In response to members she also informed them that:

·         Universal credit (UC) was fully rolled across South Somerset in April 2017 and that although this should eventually reduce the demand for the service this is not the case at present particularly at Petters House.

·         The majority of UC gets paid directly to the claimant; however there is still the opportunity to get this paid directly to the landlord.

The Community Support Office Manager also noted a query regarding Personal Independent payments and would contact the member direct with this information.

There being no further discussion the members thanked the Community Office Support Manager for her comprehensive report.

NOTED

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve on the various working groups, panels and outside bodies for 2017/18.

(Resolution passed without dissent)

(This item was taken before Item 8 on the agenda)

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve on the various working groups, panels and outside bodies for 2017/18.

(Resolution passed without dissent)

(Resolution passed without dissent)

(Resolution passed without dissent)

The Assistant Director, Communities updated members on the progress of the item requested by them on the Western Corridor Improvements.  She explained that SCC have agreed to attend Area South committee along with a contractor representative, however there has been a short delay in the tendering process and the most probable date for attendance is now October or November committee.  This will be updated on the forward plan as soon as possible.

She gave no further updates to the report and clarified that the August Area South Committee would only take place if there were any planning applications to be determined. 

(Voting: Without dissent)

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation showed the site and proposed plans, including photos of the site and from neighbouring properties.

He also showed plans from the previously approved application which had since lapsed, as he believed it would help members in showing the differences in this application and the previous application approved in 2011. 

The Planning officer confirmed that there were no further updates to the report and referred to the key considerations for members including:

·         Whether anything had materially changed since application 10/04538/FUL and does this result in the same decision?

·         Impact upon residential amenity.

·         Impact upon visual amenity.

·         Impact upon highway safety.

He considered the current policies and guidance of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to be fundamentally the same and that the proposed dwelling was to be sited further away from the neighbouring property than that of the current garage.  He referred to the comments made by the County Highways Authority and that the existing access is sufficient for this application and therefore his recommendation was to approve the application for reasons as set out in the agenda report.

In response to members’ questions the Area Lead South and Planning Officer confirmed that:

·         There is additional land within the applicant’s ownership as indicated by a blue line within the application plans; however this land is not part of this application.

·         With the aid of slides showed the differing levels between the application site and the existing bungalows and their gardens in Nash Lane to the west of the site.

·         Obscure glazing would be fitted to the 2 first floor windows in the rear south elevation.

·         The proposed dwelling was to be the same height as the previously approved dwelling with the footprint marginally larger to include a garage at ground floor level with a larger bedroom above.

·         Proposed dwelling to be approximately 6 metres from the neighbouring property 2a Nash Lane.

·         Appreciated the concerns regarding the drainage issues especially due to the levels and alleged sandy soil, however the application is accompanied with a drainage proposal, previously a detailed scheme was agreed and on the basis of expert advice a suitable form of drainage can be achieved on this site.

·         Had consulted with Western Power regarding electricity wires across the site however no comments had been received at this time.

·         This application is for a single dwelling located within the site as indicated within the red line of the submitted plans.  The land situated outside of this area, although within the applicants ownership, is not part of this application and should not be considered with this application.

Councillor Gina Seaton ward member, proposed that in order to appreciate the full degree and levels of the site in relation to the existing properties, 2 and 2a Nash Lane, and the concerns regarding run off and flooding that a site visit be made before the application was determined.  This was subsequently seconded and on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation showed the site and proposed plans. 

He explained the application had been referred to committee as the visibility splays that can be achieved do not meet the standing advice guidance.  However following the advice from the SSDC Highway consultant and consideration given to the width of the road, traffic calming measures and vehicle speeds in the area on balance he felt the proposal to be acceptable. 

The Planning Officer also clarified to members that Gordon Road was an unclassified road and that anyone could create a vehicular access without planning permission. He therefore concluded that for reasons set out in the agenda report his recommendation was to approve the application

In response to members’ questions the Area Lead South and Planning Officer confirmed that:

·         Clarified the tandem parking bays to serve both the existing property and the additional dwelling attached to the end of terrace.

·         Condition to be imposed to ensure the street light column currently located along the frontage would be relocated.

·         Advice given to applicant for the need to extend the drop kerbing at the point of access onto the pavement.

Mr Hayz Herman the applicant then addressed the committee and clarified the parking arrangements of the site.  He explained the scheme would include the addition of three further car parking spaces and that he was happy to comply with the planning conditions imposed.

Councillor Tony Lock, Ward member although supported the proposed design and layout of the scheme voiced concern regarding the proposed visibility splay.  He appreciated the proposal would tidy up the site but the area became very congested with parked cars and believed the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders would help aid visibility and improve traffic safety in the area.

Councillor Rob Stickland, Ward member reiterated the concern raised regarding the visibility splay and acknowledged the congestion from the on road parking within the area.  However he did consider the proposed dwelling to be acceptable and an improvement of the site.

Councillor David Recardo, Ward member believed the proposal would improve and tidy up the site and believed the width of the road and nearby junction was satisfactory to safeguard traffic speeds in the area.

Following a short discussion it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried by 13 votes in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions.  

RESOLVED:

That application 17/01316/FUL be approved subject to:

01.       The proposed scheme provides development that makes efficient use of land, respects the character and form of development in the area, causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity and provides a great improvement to the existing sub-standard access and as such accords with Policies YV1, EQ2 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.