Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton Parish Council Office, Winscombe Community Centre, 11 Sandford Road, Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1JA Tel: 01934 844257 Fax: 01934 844292 A meeting of the Planning Committee was held on Monday 17 th June 2013, 7.30 p.m. Amesbury Room, Winscombe Community Centre Councillor Members Present: Mr C Ballard, Mrs M Ballard, Ms C Boase, Mrs A Brading, Mr S Bridges, Ms J Corry, Mr A Forbes, Mrs S Kent, Mr G Luckett, Dr G Rider Mr C Sampson, Mr J Westlake & Mr M Williamson. Clerk: Mrs L Rampton Members of the public: Ten The retiring committee chairman, Cllr Forbes opened the meeting 1. To elect a Committee Chairman & to receive the Chairman s Declaration of Acceptance of Office Nominee Mr. C Ballard (1 nomination received for Mr. Ballard). Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr S Bridges Mr. C Ballard was unanimously elected Committee Chairman and took the chair. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed and received by the Clerk. The new committee chairman thanked his fellow Councillors for their support and Cllr Forbes for the six years he served as chairman of the committee. Members of the public were welcomed to the meeting. 2. To elect a Committee Vice Chairman & to receive the Vice Chairman s Declaration of Acceptance of Office Nominee Mr. S Bridges (1 nomination received for Mr. Bridges) Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr C Ballard Mr. S Bridges was unanimously elected Committee Vice-Chairman. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed and received by the Clerk. 3. To receive apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Parish Councillor M Boddy, 4. Declarations of interest. A pecuniary interest was declared by Cllr A Forbes in agenda item 7g, planning application 13/P/0826/F The Oaks, Max Mill Lane as a near neighbour of the application site. A pecuniary interest was declared by Cllr S Bridges in agenda item 7i 13/P/0875/F 27 Observatory Field as a neighbour of the application site. 5. To consider & decide upon any requests for dispensation from members to allow them to participate in a discussion or vote on a matter in which he/she may have a disclosable pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest. There were none with Councillors Bridges & Forbes to withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time. 6. To approve minutes as a correct record of the previous planning committee meeting held 13 th May 2013 The minutes were approved as a correct record of the meeting Proposed: Cllr S Bridges Seconded: Cllr A Brading All committee members present at the last meeting were in favour 7. Minute Update from previous minutes of the Planning Committee. There were none 8. Public Participation. The Chairman suspended the meeting to allow public participation and stated that this was the only time during the meeting members of public present would be allowed to address the Planning Committee. 13/P/0826/F The Oaks, Max Mill Lane the agent addressed the meeting and explained that this was a resubmission of a withdrawn application in 2011. The current submission is largely unchanged from the previous application but reasons for the proposed building of a new family home were detailed to the meeting and included the positive impact this may have on the countryside, contained within the existing residential curtilage. As the application is not in accordance with a number of current planning policies, support of the Parish Council was requested to ensure the fate of the application is properly debated and decided by NSC South Area Committee rather than a sole case officer who must make a decision based on planning policy. A number of questions were asked of the agent by members that included sustainability for the proposed home, eco characteristics along with 4
actual savings in terms of energy and water. A near neighbour to the site spoke in opposition to the application that is sited adjacent to an SSSI, is not sympathetic to the area and is considered to be overdevelopment of a significant part of the parish. 13/P/0896/F, 19 Brae Road the applicant explained reasons for the rear extension that would also reconfigure the internal layout of the house. With no further members of the public wishing to address the committee, the chairman re-opened the meeting 9. Planning Applications a. 13/P/0775/F & 13/P/0776/LB Ms Harding & Mr Penrose, The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Winscombe AN Erection of a detached building for the housing of a swimming pool. Demolition of timber stables & yard, hard & soft landscaping to include a new paved area and relocation of an existing gateway into the adjacent western paddock. The application site is outside the settlement boundary and in the AONB Discussion included the retention and replanting of trees, visibility of the proposed pool from the church yard and a close-by public right of way. Materials to be used in the finish of the building located in the curtilage of a grade 2 listed building and in close proximity to the only grade 1 listed building in the parish were debated. The Planning Committee supported approval of the planning application but would request that due to the proximity of the swimming pool to the grade II listed building, that the exterior walls to the pool, including steps are faced with a natural local stone. Proposed: Cllr G Rider Seconded: Cllr C Boase 10 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstained b. 13/P/0777/RM KR Clarke Developments, Land at 14 Well Close, Winscombe BS25 1HG Submission of reserved matters for access, appearance, layout, landscaping and scale pursuant to outline planning permission 12/P/1089/NMA (outline application for the erection of a two storey dwelling with single storey office unit (B1) and creation of new access & parking with all matters reserved for subsequent approval) Proposed: Cllr S Bridges Seconded: Cllr A Brading All in favour c. 13/P/0787/F Mr & Mrs Kelly, Willow House, Bridgwater Road, Winscombe BS25 1NB Proposed single storey side extension to provide annexed accommodation following demolition of existing double garage. but requested that a condition be applied to any approval notice stating that the annexed accommodation shall not be used as a selfcontained dwelling and will be used solely by the occupants of the existing dwelling in connection with the enjoyment of that residence. Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr S Bridges 11 in favour, 2 abstained d. 13/P/0788/F Mr A Ison, The Gables, The Square, Winscombe BS25 1BS Erection of a two storey side/rear extension and new porch to side elevation Proposed: Cllr C Sampson Seconded: Cllr G Rider All in favour e. 13/P/0819/NMA Mr T Rhys Jones, 2 Evergreen Close, Winscombe BS25 1JQ for information only Non material amendment to planning permission 12/P/1941/F (Erection of a two storey side extension following demolition of existing garage. Erection of a single storey rear extension. Conversion of existing roof space to habitable accommodation. Erection of front porch) to allow the addition of velux roof light to first floor storage area. This amendment has been approved by NSC. f. 13/P/0822/MMA Thatchers Cider Co Ltd, Myrtle Farm, Station Road, Sandford BS25 5RA Variation of condition 16 of planning permission 12/P/1224/F (Erection of a new packaging facility (Jubilee Building)) to raise the ridge height of the building by 1 metre MC Amended plans for approval notice 12/P/1224/F included a reduction in ridge height for the building from 30.98m to 29.805m although a reason for the height reduction and subsequent request to increase this again could not be established at this time. Members had previously recommended approval of the previous application at a height of 30.98m. Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr J Westlake All in favour 5
Due to a previously declared pecuniary interest, Cllr Forbes left the room. g. 13/P/0826/F Mr D Laver, The Oaks, Max Mill Lane, Winscombe BS25 1DS Removal of existing mobile home, poultry shed and caravan. Construction of 1 no. two storey, four bedroom house and external storage enclosure with associated landscaping & car parking area PD The application site for a new family home is located outside the settlement boundary and in the AONB, with all such previous applications being resisted by the Parish Council. Members were united in their deliberations of this application. The current application does not demonstrate why an exception should be made to planning policy in terms of design or eco-features to allow a new isolated home in the countryside. It was not considered that the design of the proposed home includes sufficient energy saving or water harvesting measures or measures to generate energy. The Replacement Local Plan allows for conversion of buildings in the countryside to residential only if they relate to an existing settlement or group of buildings this is a site remote from all other buildings some considerable distance from the settlement boundary. The same document also states that replacement dwellings should be of similar floor area and size and it is considered that to replace a mobile home with a four bed, two storey home is not in accordance with this policy. The new dwelling was considered to be unsustainable as in the absence of any public transport in the immediate area, all journeys will need to be made by private car. The creation of a four bed, two storey dwelling to replace a mobile home, adjacent to a SSSI would significantly impact on the character of the AONB and would harm the natural beauty of the landscape. Members were very concerned that approval of such an application in this protected area would set a precedent and a number of requests for new dwellings in the AONB would follow. The planning committee unanimously recommend refusal of the planning application Proposed: Cllr A Brading Seconded: Cllr S Bridges All in favour Cllr Forbes returned to the meeting h. 13/P/0829/F Mr T Warren, Pippen House, Hillyfields Way, Winscombe BS25 1AE Erection of a car port at front of house Proposed: Cllr S Bridges Seconded: Cllr C Sampson All in favour Due to a previously declared pecuniary interest, Cllr Bridges left the room i. 13/P/0875/F Mr J Sleeman, 27 Observatory Field, Winscombe BS25 1LL Erection of a single storey side extension Proposed: Cllr A Brading Seconded: Cllr M Williamson All in favour Cllr Bridges returned to the meeting j. 13/P/0886/F Mr & Mrs May, Hillyfields Bungalow, Hillyfields, Winscombe BS25 1PH Erection of a single storey side extension of a garage and a new porch Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr S Kent All in favour GW AN k. 13/P/0887/F Mrs L Beard, Woodland View, Sandmead Road, Sandford BS25 5QG Removal of variation of conditions 6, 7 & 8 of planning permission 10/P/1074/F (Erection of detached dwelling with associated work unit and alterations to existing house curtilage) to omit work unit AN Proposed: Cllr S Bridges Seconded: Cllr M Williamson All in favour l. 13/P/0896/F Ms A Mitchell, 19 Brae Road, Winscombe BS25 1LN Erection of a two storey rear extension Proposed: Cllr A Brading Seconded: Cllr S Bridges All in favour m. 13/P/0909/F Mr Williams, 27 Sidcot Lane, Winscombe BS25 1LA Retrospective application for the erection of a garage to the rear of the property AH Proposed: Cllr A Forbes Seconded: Cllr M Williamson 11 in favour, 2 abstained 10. Notification of Planning Approvals/Refusals/Tree Preservation Orders Planning Applications Approved 6
Application no Address Brief description 13/P/0532/F 3 Moorham Road Single storey extension 13/P/0564/F 24a Homefield Close Removal of age restriction condition 13/P/0639/F 61 Church Road 2 storey rear & 1 st floor roof extensions 13/P/0819/NMA 2 Evergreen Close Addition of velux roof light to 1 st floor storage area 13/P/0679/F 2 South Croft 2 storey side extension, car port & dormers Planning Applications Refused Application no Address Brief description 13/P/0038/F Sidcot school, Fountain Lane 54 bed boarding house 11. Planning Appeal Notifications: a. 13/2197049 Buildings at Grove Farm, Bristol Road An appeal has been made against planning refusal 12/P/1423/F, conversion and extension of redundant agricultural buildings to create a single dwelling (C3 live/work unit) b. APP/DO121/A/13/2194276 Farmland to rear of Fairview Cottage, Quarry Road An appeal has been made against NSC for failure to issue a decision on planning application 12/P/1232/F (for the erection of an agricultural barn for storage) within the appropriate period (usually eight weeks). The Parish Council planning committee considered this application at a meeting in August 2012. c. APP/D0121/C/13/2198499 & 13/2195786 Whatton Vale, Fullers Lane An appeal has been made against two enforcement notices issued by NSC following refusal of a retrospective planning application 12/P/1661/F - Change of use of agricultural land to domestic curtilage, reconstruction of vehicle shed, erection of a garage and construction of hardstanding following demolition of storage shed (Retrospective). 12. Affordable Housing Supplementary Housing Document consultation until 20 th June 2013. To view the consultation draft and to make comments please go to http://consult-ldf.n-somerset.gov.uk/consult.ti North Somerset Council is currently reviewing the 2008 Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (AH SPD) following the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and adoption of the North Somerset Core Strategy. The AH SPD provides guidance on how the Council applies Core Strategy affordable housing policies CS16 and CS17. Considerable discussion took place regarding this document with a number of differing opinions being aired. It was proposed that a comment from the Parish Council be submitted regarding appendix 2 Occupancy of Rural Housing Exception Sites. Priority on the fourth bullet point being amended with (v) being moved up in order to follow point (ii) Proposed: Cllr S Bridges Seconded: Cllr M Ballard 2 in favour, 7 against, 3 abstained from voting MOTION FAILED Councillors to submit own personal responses to the consultation document in the absence of a Parish Council collective response. 13. Sedgemoor District Council Economic Development Supplementary Planning Document, Issues and Options Consultation Paper consultation until 9 th July 2013 http://sedgemoor-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal Sedgemoor District Council has prepared an Issues and Options Consultation paper to develop guidance and proposals to form the basis of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Economic Development within the district. The purpose of the document is to provide additional clarity and focus with regards economic development planning matters within the Sedgemoor area, reaffirming their Core Strategy's commitment to sustainable economic growth and its linkages to the planning framework, but providing developers and the community with more specific information on likely expectations and requirements. Future development within the area will then be considered, amongst other things, against the additional principles established within this SPD. No comment will be submitted on behalf of the parish council. 14. National Grid Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) 3 rd September to 15 th October 2013. Draft SOCC submitted to NSC for comment. National Grid has to submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) next year for permission to construct a high voltage connection to transmit electricity from Hinkley Point to Avonmouth. Under the planning process for such projects, applicants have to produce a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) and to consult the 7
relevant local authorities on it. This is to ensure local people have as much influence as is realistic and possible at the pre application stage and it is the applicant s responsibility to do all it can to make this possible. The SOCC should set out how the applicant intends to involve local people in its formal consultation, which in the case of the Hinkley Point C Connection will be between September 3 and October 15 this year. National Grid has produced a draft SOCC and sent it to the local authorities along the proposed route. North Somerset, West Somerset, Somerset County, Sedgemoor and South Gloucestershire Councils will be working together on their response and have until June 25 to reply. The SOCC is all about how National Grid consults... it is not about what they consult on. A joint response from the local authorities to the draft SoCC, in part recommends that the fourth stage consultation should provide more than 6 weeks for this formal, and most likely, final stage of consultation. The response will be discussed at the next meeting of the Hinkley C Connection Group arranged for June 19. 15. Report on Town & Parish Council Development Management Workshop held on 23 rd May 2013 and suggestions for the draft Residential Design Guide. A report of the very informative workshop was relayed to the meeting with a paper copy of the power point presentation being available from the parish office on request. It was noted from the meeting that NSC have yet to formally draft a policy relating to overdevelopment of a site. A draft copy of the Residential Design Guide was discussed by members. 16. Matters for information Neighbourhood Development Planning contact has been made with Backwell Parish Council (as a front runner in NSC for Neighbourhood Development Plans) and the Committee Chairman and Clerk will meet with their PC Chairman at the end of the summer to discuss the pros and cons of producing such a document. All information will be relayed back to the Parish Council for decision regarding progression of a plan for this parish. Meeting Closed: 9.00 p.m. Date of next meeting: Monday 15 th July 2013 Signed (Planning Chairman) Date 8