Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 12^th September.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 12^th September 2018, copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Henry Hobhouse and David Norris.

In accordance with the Council’s current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also “prejudicial”) in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. 

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  Where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council. 

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council’s Regulation Committee:

Councillors Tony Capozzoli, Nick Weeks and Colin Winder.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, Members of the Regulation Committee can participate and vote on these items at the Area Committee and at Regulation Committee.  In these cases the Council’s decision-making process is not complete until the application is determined by the Regulation Committee.  Members of the Regulation Committee retain an open mind and will not finalise their position until the Regulation Committee.  They will also consider the matter at Regulation Committee as Members of that Committee and not as representatives of the Area Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members are asked to note that the next scheduled meeting of the committee will be at the Council Offices, Churchfield, Wincanton on Wednesday 14^th November at 9.00am.

Members noted that the date of the next meeting of the committee would be at the

Council Offices, Churchfields, Wincanton on Wednesday 14^th November 2018 at 9am.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman advised members that following a discussion with officers in future the initial draft Area Committee minutes will be circulated to the Area Chairman.

During a lengthy debate some members expressed concern regarding the procedure and review of the draft minutes and at the conclusion of the debate a recommendation was proposed and subsequently seconded that ‘ The draft minutes should be checked by the chairman and not go to the planning department’.  On being put to the vote members agreed this by 5 votes in favour and 2 against.

Councillor Hayward Burt raised concern regarding the broadband extension roll out and the impact this will have on the Area East communities and businesses due to poor speeds within the area and how this will further hold back much needed inward investment. 

In response members were informed that following discussion at the Full Council it was now the understanding that the funding was not approved and un-ringfenced therefore requested an update on the current situation and the impact this would have and the plans to reduce its impact.

Councillor Hayward Burt also wished to raise concern regarding the increasing number of Waterloo-Exeter trains not making the scheduled stop at Templecombe Station and consequently members of the public having to be bussed to other stations.

The Communities Lead noted the comments made and would make further inquiries into the issues raised.

Councillor Nick Colbert reported to members the success of the ‘Poppy of Honour’ recently held in Wincanton.

Councillor Sarah Dyke wished to congratulate Milborne Port on their success of winning the Gold award in the RHS South West in Bloom Cox Cup.

Members were informed that John Nicholson, Assistant Highway Service Manager was unable to attend the meeting.  It was therefore agreed that the report be deferred to the November committee in order for the officer to attend and present his report.

The Communities Lead presented the report and reiterated that the Highways Update Report would be brought back to the November committee.   She also recommended that the annual report on Policing and Community Safety be brought to committee in January 2019. She made no further updates to the report.

Councillor Hayward Burt reiterated his concerns regarding the current position of the Gigaclear broadband programme and also requested a report from the Blackmore Vale Partnership with regard to the issues at Templecombe station.

Councillor Anna Groskop requested a report be brought to committee that reflects the importance of tourism in the area and what it brings to Area East.  Following a short discussion it was agreed that a further briefing be given to members on the emerging corporate plan and the priorities of Area East.

(Voting: Without dissent)

.

Members noted the Planning Appeals.

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

Application Proposal: Outline planning application for a mixed-use development comprising the erection of up to 65 dwellings and convenience store (Class A1), community hub (Class B1); and associated access and landscaping works on land at Station Road with access and associated works.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and reminded members that the application was referred to committee for consideration at the request of the ward member, and with the agreement of the area chair, as the ward member is concerned that the benefits do not outweigh the adverse impacts of the scheme. 

He also updated members that:

·         Received an additional response from Milborne Port Parish Council reiterating their requests as set out in detail within the agenda report.

·         Received an additional letter of objection.

·         Received an additional letter from the Sherborne and District CPRE reiterating their initial concerns expressed and in summary whether the development would lead to deterioration of the settlement hierarchy with numbers in excess of the proposed figure for this area to the detriment of Milborne Port.

With the aid of a power point presentation he proceeded to give a comprehensive presentation showing the site and proposed plans including proposed access arrangements, outline drainage and landscape plans.

The Planning Officer referred to the key considerations with this application being the principle of development, scale of development, highways, visual amenity, residential amenity, ecology, flooding and drainage, fire risk and planning balance.  He considered the development was contiguous to Milborne Port and had been established by Policy SS5 of the local plan and that although approval of this development would take the number to 93 over the target figure set for this area, this is a minimum figure set and would still lie short off the next tier of the settlement hierarchy. 

He also confirmed no objections had been received from the Highways Authority and although specific concern has been raised by the Parish Council with regard to the width of the pavement, he considered the proposal to widen the pavement is a considerable improvement on the existing arrangement.  No objections had been received from the Landscape Architect or SSDC Ecologist and he considered the proposed scheme to be of an acceptable design and density for the area, however acknowledged this will be considered further at reserved matter stage. 

He also confirmed any construction noise can be mitigated by condition and that the Lead Local Flood Authority and Wessex Water have raised no objection to the proposed scheme, and although there was specific concern locally regarding fire risk due to low water pressure Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had been consulted and have raised no concerns.

In conclusion the Planning Officer considered the benefits to this scheme including a shop, land for Community Hub, village square and improvements to the highways outweigh the adverse impacts and therefore after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, his proposal was to approve the application subject to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

Application Proposal: The carrying out of internal alterations to create an opening in kitchen wall.

The Chairman advised that the planning application had been withdrawn and the report was not discussed further.