Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Venue: Sedgemoor Room, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services Email: democraticservicesnorth@somerset.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

159.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from:

Councillor Tony Grimes who was substituted by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues

Councillor Brian Smedley

 

160.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 100 KB

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Decision:

Resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee - North held on 10 September 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minutes:

It was resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee – North held on 10 September, being proposed by Councillor Gill Slocombe, and seconded by Councillor Matt Martin, to be a true record of the meeting.

 

161.

Declarations of Interest

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

 

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Minutes:

The following Councillors declared an interest in applications on the agenda:

 

Councillor Bob Filmer declared an Other Registrable Interest in Planning Application 12/24/00001 Oak Tree Farm, Bristol Road, Edithmead, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 9HA as he was predetermined having spoken to the agent and would withdraw from the Committee for that item.

Councillor Hilary Bruce declared an Other Registrable Interest she was a member of the Parrett Drainage Board.

Councillor Alan Bradford declared an Other Registrable Interest he was a member of the Parrett Drainage Board.

Councillor Gill Slocombe declared an Other Registrable Interest as she was a member of Bridgwater Town Council but was not on their planning committee and had not taken part in any meetings to do with planning.

Councillor Alistair Hendry declared an Other Registrable Interest as he was a member of the Axe Brue Drainage Board.

 

162.

Public Question Time

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

 

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three-minute time limit applies to each speaker.

 

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

 

Requests to speak at the meeting under Public Question Time must be made to democraticservicesnorth@somerset.gov.uk  by 5pm on the Wednesday prior to the meeting.  For those wishing to speak on an application, requests must be made by midday on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Minutes:

Details of public speaking are captured under the minutes of the appropriate application.

 

163.

Planning Application 41/23/00010 Land at Bristol Road, Pawlett, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 pdf icon PDF 225 KB

To consider an application for the erection of new convenience store and 6no. smaller commercial units, with associated access, parking and landscaping.

 

Decision:

Resolved to grant permission subject to a s106 agreement regarding transport mitigation and conditions 8 and 9 being amended to refer to “the individual buildings” to reflect phasing of development and a condition to limit the size of individual units.

Minutes:

The Committee were presented with the application with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. The Planning Officer updated the committee explaining that the application wasfor theerection of a new conveniencestore and6no. smaller commercial units, with associated access, parking and landscaping.

 

The Planning Officer further highlighted that:

·      This application was deferred from a previous meeting and there had been a Member site visit since.

·      That minor amendments to conditions 8 and 9 of her report in respect of the development to be phased

 

Andrew Warner, Vice Chair Pawlett Parish Council, then spoke in objection to the application. He firstly highlighted that there was no support for this scheme by the villagers, stating that it would obscure the wonderful view of the Mendips in the village green.

 

Secondly, he pointed out that the development was 20% over the policy D15 limit in size.

 

Furthermore, he highlighted traffic safety issues.

 

The Committee then heard from Toni Hammick, the agent for the applicants, who spoke in support of the proposals.

 

The Planning Officer pointed out that maintenance of the existing footway along the A38 was under the control of Somerset Highways and therefore the Committee could not add this as a condition.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed that the parking was in line with Somerset council parking standards and in-line with policy D15.

 

The Members then debated the issues and Councillor Mike Murphy requested to have it noted he considered that the road access into the development was a hazard.

 

Councillor Alan Bradford proposed a further deferral while the traffic issue was re-looked at but following deliberations withdrew this and suggested that a recommendation be made to the relevant service manager of Highway Maintenance to stress the importance of improved maintenance.

 

Councillor Alistair Hendry proposed to grant full permission subject to an additional condition in the s106 agreement regarding transport mitigation and conditions 8 and 9 being amended to refer to “the individual buildings” to reflect phasing of development and a condition to limit the size of individual units. This was seconded by Councillor Bob Filmer.

 

Resolved:

 

To grant permission subject to a S106 agreement covering the highway requirements (including trigger points for delivery) and recommended conditions as well as conditions 8 and 9 being amended to refer to “the individual buildings” to reflect phasing of development and a condition to limit the size of individual units

 

(For: 9, Abstain: 2)

164.

Planning Application 50/23/00069 Chapel Farm, Blakeway, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4UE pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To Consider an application for erection of an agricultural building to be used for the storage of agricultural equipment, equipment, machinery, materials, produce & fodder only (part retrospective).

Decision:

Resolved to defer to allow for corrections to the report.

Minutes:

Councillor Kathy Pearce informed the Committee that officers have advised that in preparing for the committee there was further missing information from the report and proposed a deferral to ensure accurate and clear details were both included within the report and the officer presentation to allow the application be determined in accordance with due process.

 

Following the request Councillor Kathy Pearce proposed to defer the application pending an update to the report, which was duly seconded by Councillor Gill Slocombe.

 

Resolved:

 

To defer to allow for corrections to the report.

 

(Unanimous)

 

165.

Planning Application 12/24/00001 Oak Tree Farm, Bristol Road, Edithmead, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 9HA pdf icon PDF 249 KB

Consideration of an application for the erection of a drive-thru coffee shop and associated works.

Decision:

Resolved to grant permission subject to referral to Secretary of State (in the event that National Highways don’t withdraw their holding direction) and condition 9 to be deleted as this issue has been resolved in terms of planning.

Minutes:

The Planning Officer introduced the applicationfor theerection ofa drive-thrucoffee shopand associated works by way of a PowerPoint presentation.

The Committee then heard from Councillor Bob Filmer from Brent Ward Parish who spoke in support of the application. He highlighted that the extra traffic this coffee shop would cause was minimal, especially since there was to be a major route network scheme to come through which would completely enhance the area. He confirmed that this was, in fact, being held up by Somerset Council waiting for funding from National Government and suggested that the Committee members contact the Secretary of State to push for this to be granted.

Councillor Alan Bradford proposed that consent be granted subject to referral to Secretary of State (in the event that National Highways don’t withdraw their holding direction) and condition 9 to be deleted as this issue had been resolved in terms of planning, which was duly seconded by Councillor Brian Bolt.

Resolved:

To grant permission subject to referral to Secretary of State (in the event that National Highways don’t withdraw their holding direction) and condition 9 to be deleted as this issue (details of attenuation basin) had been resolved in terms of planning.

(Unanimous)

 

166.

Planning Application 37/24/00055 4 Portman Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6SP pdf icon PDF 272 KB

Consideration of an application for erection of two storey side (SW) extension part on site of existing garage (to be demolished), and erection of single storey front (SE) and rear (NW) extensions on site of existing porch and conservatory (to be demolished).

Decision:

Resolved to grant permission subject to conditions detailed within the Officer’s report.

Minutes:

The Planning Officer introduced the application to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. She updated the Committee explaining that the application was for the erection of two storey side (SW) extension part on site of existing garage (to be demolished), and erection of single storey front (SE) and rear (NW) extensions on site of existing porch and conservatory (to be demolished).

 

During discussions that followed Members received confirmation that the dwelling was being kept as one (through condition 3) but had two separate entrances and that the parking will be kept together and used as one family unit.

 

Councillor Alan Bradford proposed to grant permission subject to conditions detailed within the Officer’s report, which was duly seconded by Gill Slocombe.

 

(Unanimous)

 

167.

Planning Application 50/23/00039 Beggars Roost, Sand, Wedmore, BS28 4XF pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Consideration of an application for the conversion of office/store to form 1no. dwelling, including the erection of single storey extension to the West and North elevation on site of existing (to be demolished).

Decision:

Resolved to grant permission subject to conditions detailed within the Officer’s report.

Minutes:

The Planning Officer presented her report with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation and explained that this application was for the conversion of an office/store to form 1no. dwelling,including theerection ofsingle storeyextension tothe Westand North elevation on site of existing (to be demolished).

She highlighted:

·      That the application related to an existing, detached, two storey outbuilding that currently accommodated agricultural storage and a home office.

·      The building had a pitched roof finished with natural stone and clay rooftiles.

·      The building was currently served by a single storey, lean-to extension to the west elevation.

·      The application sought consent for the conversion of the building to form a dwelling.

·      The proposal also included the replacement of the existing lean-to extension with a wrap-around extension to the west and north elevations, to be finished in timber cladding and double Roman tiles.

·      Solar panels were already on the property at the front elevation.

The committee then heard from Fletcher Robinson, representing CPRE Somerset (Campaign to Protect Rural England) who was objecting to the application. CPRE’s concern was regarding the nearby Grade II listed building. He mentioned that the Council had a duty to have special regard to preserving the setting of the listed building. This had not been undertaken. He stated that the recommendations should include a condition that the new access should be landscaped to reduce light spillage from car headlights directly on to the side elevation of the listed building.

 

Next Nicholas Baker was invited to speak who was also objecting to the application. He stated, among other things, that this was a lodging for animals which was now being used as a private business office and is contrary to policy D2. Main issue is the access road and proximity to his boundary and amenity impacts.

David Bennett, applicant, was invited to speak. He stated that he was seeking to convert an attractive stone barn into a dwelling. The purpose was to downsize and provide a future place to live as he and his wife became older. They wished to stay in the Hamlet of Sand where his wife’s family have lived for 4 generations.

In response to a question from Councillor Hilary Bruce concerning the lack of specific advice, officers advised that Planning Officers were capable of reaching a view regarding the impact on heritage assets and in this case felt that specific conservation advice was not needed to come to a recommendation.

After deliberations between the Members, Councillor Alistair Hendry proposed to grant permission subject to conditions detailed within the Officer’s report, which was duly seconded by Councillor Brian Bolt.

Resolved:

To grant permission subject to conditions detailed within the Officer’s report.

(For: 10. Abstain 1)

 

168.

Appeal Reports pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Ordnance Survey mapping/map data included within this publication is provided by Somerset Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to undertake its statutory functions on behalf of the district. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to licence Ordnance Survey mapping/map data for their own use. Somerset Council - AC0000861332 – 2024.

Minutes:

The committee noted the reports as detailed within the agenda for the Appeals Received and Appeal Decisions for September 2024.

(The meeting ended: 16:14)