Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 December 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Page and Sue Steele.

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 Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Clare Aparicio Paul, Neil Bloomfield and Sylvia Seal.

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 Gerard Tucker declared a personal and prejudicial interest for item 16 – planning application 17/03517/FUL, as he is godparent to a close relative of the applicant.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 February 2018 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 February 2018, in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil.

There was a brief discussion during which different opinions were voiced regarding location of venues, which were noted.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman made a statement apologising for some inappropriate words he had used at the previous meeting in December, regarding a planning application in Curry Rivel.

The Chairman noted he had asked Simon Fox to attend the meeting to introduce himself to members in his new role. Mr Fox explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

Councillor Crispin Raikes noted the apologies from Councillor Stephen Page, and briefly explained to members the reason for Councillor Page’s absence. Members requested that an appropriate card be sent to Councillor Page to convey wishes for a speedy recovery.

Councillor Gerard Tucker provided a brief update regarding Huish Leisure Board.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

The Environmental Services Manager (formerly known as Streetscene Manager) introduced the report, and highlighted key elements and achievements since the last update report. He noted fly-tipping figures were fairly static and showed a general decline since 2014. Most fly tips had been of car boot or pick-up sized quantities along,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Communities Lead introduced the report and explained that a replacement member needed to be appointed to the Huish Leisure Board.

There was a very brief discussion during which Councillor Crispin Raikes was nominated for the position. There being no other nominations it was unanimously agreed that Councilor Crispin Raikes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

The Communities Lead introduced the report, and noted there were no updates to the Forward Plan as detailed in the agenda. Members were content to note the report. 

Members noted the report that detailed planning appeals which had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.

Members noted the schedule of planning applications to be determined at the meeting.

Proposal: Change of use of land, stationing of a log cabin and two shepherds huts for holiday let.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He noted that wording in brackets at the end of the last sentence above the Conclusion, had been included in error  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Proposal: The erection of 94 No. dwellings including associated public space and all other associated external works.

Prior to presenting the application, the Planning Officer informed members that he had been recently contacted by the National Planning Casework Unit regarding a request to call in the application for determination by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Proposal: The erection of a new single storey dwelling and garage.

The Planning officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report, noting that the principle of development was accepted. The main issues were regarding the visual impact of the proposal.

Ms G Farnworth-Smith, spoke on behalf of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

Proposal: Demolition of cottage and the erection of 2 No. dwellings.

The Planning Officer presented the application and noted the existing dwelling was in a poor state of preservation. He explained that the issue was regarding highway safety, and both the Highway Authority and the SSDC Highways Consultant had recommended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.