Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Ross Henley.

An apology was received from Councillor Ross Henley.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee - West held on Tuesday 18 February 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

Resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee - West held on Tuesday 18 February 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

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 )

There were no additional declarations of interest raised.

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 democraticserviceswest@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 5pm on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

To consider an application for approval of reserved matters following Outline Application 43/23/0056 for the approval of layout, scale and appearance of the internal spine road, pedestrian/cycle link and associated surface water drainage infrastructure.

To Grant Permission subject to the conditions detailed within the officer`s report.

(Voting Unanimous, For)

The Planning Officer introduced the application with the aid of a presentation. The officer explained that the application sought permission for approval of reserved matters following Outline Application 43/23/0056 for the approval of layout, scale and appearance of the internal spine road, pedestrian/cycle link and associated surface water drainage infrastructure.

The Committee were addressed by the applicant whose points included the improvements to the access points to the proposed application, and the immediate start of technical design.

Councillors were invited to discuss the application and the following points were raised:

- Councillors queried what the implications would be if Wellington Railway Station was not completed. The Planning Officer confirmed that there were no implications on the delivery of the road if the railway station did not go ahead. The site would remain available should the project of the railway station resurrect itself in the future.

 - Councillors queried the flood warning controls within the site. The Planning Officer confirmed that it was deemed that flood warning controls were not applicable for this site.

- Councillors queried whether the Southwest Falcon bus service would use the railway station as a stop. The Planning Officer confirmed that this would be a decision for individual bus companies.

- Councillors queried the cycle path and the pedestrian crossing on Taunton Road and the dangers of this currently. The Planning Officer confirmed that the proposed improvements included a crossing to make this safer.

It was noted that Cllr Dave Mansell arrived late so did not take part in the vote on this item.

Councillor Andy Sully proposed that the application be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Gwil Wren.

To Grant Permission subject to the conditions detailed within the officer`s report.

To consider application for the approval of reserved matters following outline application 43/23/0056 for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the station square including hard and soft landscaping, mobility hub and siting of the Wellington Monument pyramidion.

To Grant Permission subject to the conditions detailed within the officer`s report.

(Voting Unanimous, For)

The Planning Officer introduced the application with the aid of a presentation. The officer explained that the application sought permission for the approval of reserved matters following outline application 43/23/0056 for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the station square including hard and soft landscaping, mobility hub and siting of the Wellington Monument pyramidion.

The Committee were addressed by the applicant whose points included, that the land would be transferred to the town council when appropriate and the positive impact that the transport hub would bring to the community.

Councillors were invited to discuss the application and the following points were raised:

- Councillors queried if the plans included bays for buses. The Planning Officer confirmed that there were bus areas/stops as part of the car park plans.

- The Chair used his discretion to allow the applicant to elaborate further on the commercial viability of the buildings in response to councillors who queried this.

Councillor Andy Sully proposed that the application be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Steven Pugsley.

To Grant Permission subject to the conditions detailed within the officer`s report.

To consider an application for the formation of integrated constructed wetlands (ICW) including associated plant, infrastructure, landscaping.

To Grant Permission subject to:

•       confirmation of no objections from the Phosphate Team plus the inclusion of any recommended conditions and any planning obligations;  

•       to the conditions listed at Appendix 1 and subject to a legal agreement.

with an added informative that the piece of land to the east of the wetland to be included in the maintenance package for the wetland application.

(Voting For 9, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

The Planning Officer, introduced the application with the aid of a presentation. The officer explained that the application sought permission for the formation of integrated constructed wetlands (ICW) including associated plant, infrastructure, landscaping.

The Committee were addressed by two supporters whose comments included, confirmation of the maintenance area and the security of the site to ensure that the public could not access the site.  The Planning Officer clarified the security of the site and the confirmation that there would be no public access at this current stage, but if the space was opened for adoption at a later stage, then it might be taken up.

Councillors were invited to discuss the application, and the following points were raised:

- Councillors were pleased to note that this application would mitigate phosphates. The Planning Officer confirmed that the main driver behind the application was to mitigate phosphates.

- Councillors noted that the restriction on public access would have positive impacts on wildlife in the area and high Biodiversity Net Growth (BNG).
Councillors raised whether approved work to develop Taunton School land would impact the area.

- Councillors raised the unknown of the service charge for the area. The Planning Officer confirmed that the house builder would have to tell the house buyer what the service charge was.

Councillor Andy Sully proposed that the application be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Gwil Wren.

To Grant Permission subject to the conditions detailed within the officer`s report with an informative that the piece of land to the east of the wetland to be included in the maintenance package for the wetland application.

To receive an update on appeals and appeals decisions received.

Members noted the Appeal Decisions received.

Members noted the Appeal Decisions received.