TQ13 7QQ Ashburton Town Council MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 2017 AT 7.00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL Present: Cllrs Daw, Slater, Parker-Khan, Baker, Irens. Also, Cllr Giles. In attendance: The clerk and the deputy clerk and two members of the public. 026/17P Apologies Apologies were received from Cllr Distin (work commitment) and Cllr Nutley (previous engagement). Acceptance of this apology was proposed by Cllr Slater and seconded by Cllr Baker. All in favour. 027/17P Public comments/statements. The public may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes on items on the agenda or items that may be considered for a future agenda at the chairman s discretion. Chairman Councilors Good Evening and thank you for allowing me to address you. My name is Philip Vogel, and Cllr. Baker suggested I should address the Planning Committee in the public participation on my personal observations following the Bailey Partnership consultation on Thursday20th April, and share a few random thoughts with the Council. My understanding, as is everything noted below, of the consultation afternoon by Bailey Partnership was to invite comments from the public on the general principles of developing the Outdoor Leisure site, prior to an outline planning application. a) It was stressed that the number and design of houses displayed and the layout was not indicative of the final application. However, it was stated the proposed indicative number was of a lower density than shown on the Master Plan. b) No public parking for nonresidents appeared to be shown. c) No affordable housing, be that social, intermediate or self-build, were shown, and in reply to questions about this, it was stated that to date Dartmoor National Park had not requested any. d) They were aware of the Master Plan traffic report and the number of options that had been shown for traffic movement around the town resulting from additional car access and car parking. No further details were ascertainable about flow, and it was stated that egress to and from the site would be to Highways request. e) It was stated that they had not been asked for any additional contribution - section 106 monies - other than those that may be required by the Highways Authority 1
or DNP to affect the development. Ie. monies to assist BYP or other good cause(s) in the town. f) In discussion about the EA flood report and independent work carried out for the Chuley Rd MasterPlan it was stated that a number of water drainage schemes including a SUDs scheme, were being considered, but it was not intended to use attenuation gabons. There was an awareness of flooding issues across the site, but any further requirements other than their site, would be for Dartmoor NP to request. g) The consultants were aware of a proposal to convert the old station building into a railway heritage museum. h) A number of responses to questions referred back to the DNP Planning Officer. Members are very much aware of the Neighbourhood Plan consultation survey answers, the worries of Chuley Rd residents, and the town s thoughts following the Master Plan consultations. Therefore with this in mind could I be as bold as to suggest that Ashburton Town Council take a pro-active lead on behalf of the Town, and consider inviting the responsible DNP Planning Officer, the TDC Affordable Housing Officer and Bailey Partnership to meet with you to look at how parties may work together in partnership, to enable the best development outcome for the Town, from such a sensitive site. 028/17P Declarations of interest. To receive any declarations of interest on items on the agenda. There were no declarations of interest. 029/17P Minutes of previous meeting of 22 March 2017 These were signed by the chairman as a true record. 030/17P Matters arising from previous minutes of 22 March 2017 There were no matters arising. 031/17P Discussion re June meeting The clerk stated that the June meeting feel during carnival week. Councillors discussed and it was decided to hold the June planning meeting on Wednesday, 21 June 2017. 032/17P Planning applications awaiting decision 17/00895 Stablefield Barn, Bickington Cllr Baker Agricultural storage building Cllr Baker s report stated: Applicant proposes to build an agricultural storage building. This building is for storage of animal feed and agricultural machinery. The proposed building materials are steel framing clad on three sides with timber and steel, 22m long, 11m wide and ridge height of 5.2 metres. The site at present has a small wooden storage building and a chicken run. 2
I visited the site on the morning of Friday 22nd April and discussed the proposal with the applicant. The proposed building will be sited at the base of a sloping field and will not be prominent in the landscape. There are no near neighbours. I propose that Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Ashford. All in favour. 17/0028 TPO 26 Stapledon Lane Cllr Baker Pine, fell; Leyland cypress, fell; Wallow, fell (report copied to councillors) Cllr Baker s report stated: Applicant proposes to fell three trees growing in the back garden of 26, Stapledon Lane. I visited the site on the morning of Tuesday 12th April and discussed the application with the applicant s partner. The three trees are identified in the application as:- 1) Willow. This tree is dead, it is a dead goat willow, and so should be felled. 2) Leyland Cypress- this tree is in fact a good specimen of a Lawson Cypress. 3) Pine- this tree is a Larch. 1. Both the Lawson Cypress and the larch appear to be sound and healthy and are too far from the house to pose a threat. Both trees make a valuable contribution to the landscape and as such need to be preserved. I therefore propose that Ashburton Town Council objects to this proposal with the condition that the dead Goat Willow should be felled and the Larch and Lawson Cypress be preserved. This was seconded by Cllr Daw. All in favour. OBJECT 0170/17 Mapleton House, 30 West Street Cllr Daw Replacement slate hanging to front elevation with removal of existing slate hanging (report copied to councillors) Cllr Daw s report stated: I attended site at 15.00hrs on Friday 14th April and surveyed the application. This is a retrospective Grade 2 listed building consent for the replacement of slate hanging to the front elevation of Mapleton House, East Street. The front elevation of this 3 storey Town House has a mixture of construction. The ground floor is rendered stone with slate hung timber frame walling above, The windows 3
are timber sash and the main entrance door has six panels with a decorative fanlight above. Following minor repairs to the slates on the front elevation an inspection was carried out and it was concluded that the entire slate hanging was potentially dangerous and should be removed and replaced Further to a written report by a Chartered Surveyor and a discussion with the Dartmoor National Park Planning Officer it is hoped that this application is approved and the works can be completed as soon as possible. The replacement natural slate hanging will match the original character by replicating the random slates and diminishing courses. This is a commendable and necessary application in preserving one of the older properties near the town centre and I recommend that Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Parker-Khan. All in favour. 0174/17 45 Long Park Cllr Daw Proposed single storey extension to existing dwelling and associated works (report copied to councillors) Cllr Daw s report stated: I attended site at 10.00hrs on Saturday 15th April and spoke to the applicant. This is an application to replace the existing attached porch with a pitched roof single storey extension to accommodate a larger dining area and release the existing dining room as a 3rd bedroom. The existing property has two bedrooms and the householder wishes to provide separate bedrooms for his two young children. All the materials to be used will match the existing. Parking and access to the existing garage is not a problem. I have spoken to the neighbours and they have no objections. This is a modest alteration and I recommend that Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Irens. All in favour. 0176/17 Lavender House Hotel Cllr Parker-Khan Erection of two bedroom chalet and decking area (retrospective) for short-term holiday use and ancillary guest accommodation 4
Cllr Parker-Khan s report stated: This application is for the erection of a two-bedroom chalet and decking area (retrospective) for short term holiday use and ancillary guest accommodation. There is currently a two-bedroom, timber framed chalet located at the lower end of the over flow car parking area at the Lavender House Hotel. The chalet was initially built to provide suitable accommodation for an unwell relative, the applicant now seeks to use the chalet for some respite accommodation in conjunction with an established charity, as well as to complement the existing accommodation for wedding couples. The chalet is built from natural wood with double glazed upvc windows and doors and a hot melt felt roof. The applicant proposes complete the roof in cedar wood shingles to present a more appealing finish. The chalet sits close to the boundary hedge and is well screened-there are no neighbours nearby to impact upon privacy. The access is through the existing entrance to the over flow car park, Highways have no issues with the proposal. There have been no other objections to date. The chalet was erected in October 2015, there have been no issues to date, the approval of this application will provide additional accommodation for this established business that will help improve the local economy of Ashburton, and I therefore recommend that Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Baker. All in favour. 0165/17 Little Barton, Caton Cllr Slater Roof extension and conservatory I visited the property on Monday 24 th April. The proposal is to replace a flat roofed area of a bungalow with a pitched roof to match existing (as the flat roof is failing), and to build a small conservatory which looks very sympathetic. There are no near neighbours in this area of Caton. The new pitched roof will not be habitable space just storage. So I would like to propose Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Parker- Khan. All in favour. 17/0030 TPO 85 Beverley Gardens Cllr Baker Oak, reduce crown by 3m on eastern side of tree Cllr Baker s report stated: This application is for proposed tree works to an oak tree at the rear of 85, Beverley Gardens. 5
I visited the site on the morning of Friday 21st April and discussed the proposed works with the applicant. On the west side of 85, Beverley Gardens on a very steep bank close to the back wall of the dwelling is a large oak tree. There is a branch that has fallen off the tree and is hung up on branches about 10 feet up the canopy. The tree overhangs the narrow back yard and the roof of 85, Beverley Gardens. It is proposed to crown lift the tree by 3 metres on the side that overhangs the property. This is a sensible and safe proposal and I propose that Ashburton Town Council supports this application. This was seconded by Cllr Ashford. All in favour. 0184/17 25 Amberley Close Cllr Distin Loft conversion and raising of existing roof Cllr Distin had not been able to contact the applicant and therefore this application would be dealt with under delegated powers. Refusal of planning permission. NOTED 0065/17 Land at Lower Bowdley, Druid Change of use of agricultural land for equine use, construction of stable building and surrounding landscape 033/17P Matters raised by councillors for information only or possible inclusion on a future agenda Cllr Irens wished to discuss the email received regarding the apple tree located in the old Outdoor Experience site. Cllr Baker read a report on the trees on this site: Trees, hedge etc are marked on attached site plan. There are 3 individual trees; a group - G1 along the dual carriageway edge; and a hedge G2 along Chuley rd Boundary. Trees: T1 a fine Culinary Apple Tree (Malus domestica), Bramley s Seedling. See attached photos. A large tree, of benefit to the local environment, and a feature for any future development. It is good enough and large enough to be worth preserving as a feature and food source for residents. See Photos. Note that it is possible to TPO fruit trees; the exemption being for trees commercially grown for their fruit ie orchards, to stop orchard growers having to apply to prune their trees annually, such orchards cannot be TPO d; individual fruit trees in gardens etc can be TPO d. T2 a non-descript Conifer, probably a Lawson Cypress cultivar. Of no benefit in landscape terms; could not realistically be protected from removal. See photo. T3 Another Lawson Cypress cv. Mutilated on its SW side, and, although a proper tree unlike the giant bush form of T2, not of a good enough quality that it could realistically be protected. See photo. G1 A line of Elm almost certainly Wych Elm growing on the land at the top of an old rock-face dating back to the first Ashburton Bypass of the 1930 s. There 6
are Ash and sycamore amongst the elm. As a feature, the group is a useful screen to the A38. Wych elm do succumb to Dutch Elm disease (DED), but much less frequently than do English Elm; and it is likely that these trees will survive for at least another decade. G2 a boundary strip of tree and shrub vegetation growing along Chuley Road. There are some multistemmed lime trees at the Masonic Hall end, but most of the material is Sycamore, Ash, and Buddleia, and is not realistically protectable. Recommend: Clerk to place on full council agenda for discussion The clerk stated that there was a workshop at DNP regarding the local plan and the responses to the consultation. Cllrs Parker-Khan and Daw would be attending this on 12 June. There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 7.28pm CHAIRMAN 7