Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

The minutes of the previous meetings held on Tuesday 7 January 2025 will be considered at the next meeting.

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 )

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 democraticserviceseast@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 the erection of up to 1,700 dwellings (Use Class C3), two care homes (Use Class C2), 6.7 hectares of employment land (Use Classes E, B2 and B8), a mixed-use local centre for primary school (Use Class F1), cafes/restaurant and convenience store (Use Class E) and other supporting social and physical infrastructure (Use Classes F1, F2 and E), provision of greenspace and other supporting ancillary works.

All matters reserved (Access (within the site), Layout, Scale, Appearance, Landscaping) other than four new vehicular site access points from the existing highway. 

RESOLVED

To NOTE that planning application 2021/1675/EOUT was called in by the Secretary of State on 3 February 2025.and that a further report will be brought back to the Committee (once the Inquiry timetable is published) for Members:

1. to determine the LPA’s position and the contents of its Statement of Case/Written Statement to the Local Inquiry; and

2. to address the specific matters referred to in Paragraph 7 of the Call-in Letter that the SoS/Inspector wishes to be informed about for the purposes of her consideration of the application.

Votes – 12 for, 1 abstention

To consider an application for the construction and operation of an energy storage facility, fencing, landscape planting, site access, drainage, infrastructure, lighting, CCTV equipment and underground cabling.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2023/1070/FUL be REFUSED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation due to significant harms that would be caused to residential amenity and limitations of the accessibility of the site, which would be contrary to Policies DP1 and DP7. The harms identified outweighed the benefits of the scheme.

Votes – 11 for, 2 against

To consider an application for the expansion of the existing sports facilities, including construction of a family putting course; an outdoor gym; 3 outdoor pickleball courts, including a children's play park & a cabana; conversion of a greenkeeper's building to indoor pickleball courts. Construction of overnight accommodation in the form of 48 eco cabins (12 buildings) and 9 lodges, partially in replacement of permitted caravan pitches. Erection of a maintenance hub & Greenkeepers Unit. Various alterations to the clubhouse, other buildings & the golf driving range. Necessary demolition & engineering works & installation of associated infrastructure and landscaping.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2024/0750/FUL be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation with an additional pre-commencement condition for details of the bund and additional landscaping features to be submitted to the Council for approval and thereafter implemented in full.

Votes – 8 for, 4 against

To consider an application for the installation of 12.12kWp Solar Photovoltaic to the roof.

RESOLVED

That Officers be given delegated authority to GRANT planning application 2024/0407/FUL contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, subject to evidence being provided by the applicant to demonstrate that the building would be capable of supporting the weight of the panels and associated elements. The benefits of the scheme outweighed the harms identified to heritage assets.

Votes – Unanimous

To consider the appeal decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate between 20 December 2024 and 17 January 2025.