Agenda item

Planning Application 22/01598/OUT - Land South Of High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset.

To consider an outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the creation of commercial buildings under Use Class B2 and B8. 

Decision:

Resolved

 

That planning application 22/01598/OUT to approve an outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the creation of commercial buildings under Use Class B2 and B8 at Land South Of High Street , Sparkford, Yeovil be APPROVED subject to a S106 to secure a Travel Plan, and the negotiation of an additional planning condition to control overnight parking on the site if appropriate, the details of which to be delegated to the Planning Service in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee South. 

 

Voting: 6 in favour, 2 against.

Minutes:

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report and with the aid of a Powerpoint presentation to highlight key elements of the proposal including: 

  • Site location. 
  • An indicative masterplan.  

The application was recommended for approval subject to approval subject to a S106 to secure a Travel Plan. The officer reminded members that this is an Outline application, applying for the principle, indicative layout and the access, and that further size scale and layout detail will be addressed with a Reserved matters application. She referred to the principle of development being supporting economic growth in rural areas. 

 

The planning officer acknowledged the concerns around foul water disposal. She advised that Wessex Water had been consulted and had raised no objections with the proposal. She also acknowledged the concerns around visual impact on neighbouring dwellings and assured members that appropriate screening could mitigate this. The planning officer confirmed that phosphates had been screened out of the application due to it being employment land, and that all flood and drainage assessments had been accepted by the LLFA. There is a condition regarding tree and hedgerow protection included in the proposal.

Two members of the public addressed the committee in objection to the application.? Their comments included: 

 

  • There are 98 objectors to this application.
  • This field floods when there is heavy rain. If this land is developed it will force the flooding elsewhere in the village.
  • 68 vehicle movements joining an already very busy road. This impacts pollution, noise levels, risks security among many other impacts for the community.
  • This proposed development is not proportionate to the scale and character of this small rural settlement of just 700 people.
  • More weight should be given to the Sparkford Community Plan which looks to preserve the villages green spaces including this site. The local community has not be properly consulted or listened to.

  

A representative of Sparkford Parish Council spoke in objection of the proposal. His comments included:

 

·         The access is squeezed between a very large oak tree (TPO), and an orchard (TPO) on a narrow, busy road. There will be a large increase in HGV traffic which will need to turn into oncoming traffic to enter the site. This access arrangement is not acceptable.

  

? ? 

A representative from Boon Brown Ltd addressed the committee in support of the application. He advised that:

 

·         This application will benefit the employment sector and contribute to a thriving local economy.

·         There is only one house along the road so has little impact in this regard.

·         Sparkford is in a prime location for industry and the site is ideally situated for commercial use.

·         All 14 statutory consultees have no objections to the proposal.

The Division member, Councillor Henry Hobhouse addressed the committee and echoed the concerns of residents about the sewage system in Sparkford which is inadequate, and that in his opinion there is enough employment land in the local area.

 

In response to the comments, the Planning Officer advised;

  • ?Understand the depth of feeling around the sewage system issue. But as there has been no objection from the statutory consultees, it is very difficult to evidence a reason for refusal on these grounds. There is a foul drainage condition which will need to be agreed with Wessex Water prior to commencement of the development.
  • Regarding relevant planning history and the 2 other applications undetermined near this site, these are held up due to ecology and phosphate issues.
  • A need for further employment space/land at this location has been identified and the NPPF and the SSDC Local Plan states that significant weight must be given to this need.
  • Regarding impacts on the protected trees and orchards at the entrance to the site, the proposed access plans have been approved by the statutory consultees, including the Councils Tree officer.
  • If overnight HGV parking is a concern for members, the approval could be subject to an additional condition to control overnight HGV parking.

?

At the conclusion of the debate, the officer’s recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor Osborne, seconded by Councillor Seib.? When put to the vote, the proposal was carried by 6 in favour, 2 against. (Councillor Patrick left the room before the vote) 

 

 

Resolved

 

That planning application 22/01598/OUT to approve an outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the creation of commercial buildings under Use Class B2 and B8 at Land South Of High Street , Sparkford, Yeovil be APPROVED subject to a S106 to secure a Travel Plan, and the negotiation of an additional planning condition to control overnight parking on the site if appropriate, the details of which to be delegated to the Planning Service in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee South. 

 

Voting: 6 in favour, 2 against.

Supporting documents: