Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 14^th June 2017 and 5^th July 2017 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cathy Bakewell, Peter Gubbins and David Recardo.

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 District Council’s Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Graham Oakes, David Recardo and Gina Seaton.

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.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that the Area South Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday 28^th September 2017 at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber at Brympton Way. Further information will be sent to members in due course.

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

Councillor John Clark informed members that the Westfield Community Association had now submitted the stage 2 application to the Big Lottery and also an application to SSDC for a Corporate Capital for funding of £92,000 towards a new community centre.  He further advised that a summer fete fundraising event had been held and had been very successful in raising further funds.

The Democratic Services Officer informed members that the Section 106 Monitoring report and the Countryside Service Update report will be rescheduled for the November meeting. 

The Area South Development Lead also confirmed that the Yeovil Refresh update report will be brought to committee on the 29^th November 2017. 

Councillor Nigel Gage also requested an update report on the Westland Sports and Leisure Complex.  The Democratic Services Officer noted his comments and would action this request.

Members noted the Planning Appeals.

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans.  He explained the application was referred to committee due to the nature of the proposals and SSDC being the applicant. 

He updated members that no objections had been received from the Highways Authority however there were amendments to Conditions 2 and 5 with additional conditions and informative to reflect the County Highways Authority comments to take account of the approved amended plans, visibility splays, driveway surface, gates, surface water disposal and access gradient.

Following a short discussion, members sought clarification regarding the varying levels and surface dressing of the access in relation to the carriageway in the interest of highway and pedestrian safety.  In response the Planning Officer agreed to conditions that would help mitigate these concerns.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report with the amended conditions.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

To grant planning permission to application 17/02772/R3D for the following reason subject to

i)          the Country Highways Authority satisfaction in relation to the proposal.

ii)         the following conditions

01.       The proposal is not considered to have an adverse effect upon residential or visual amenity and the impact upon existing planting is deemed to be acceptable. Sufficient highways requirements can be provided to create a safe access.

Accordingly the proposal is considered to comply with policies SD1, SS1, EQ2 and TA5 of the Local Plan and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02 -      The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans Location plan received 23 June 2017 and amended drawing 1366-Sk02B received 20 July 2017

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning

03.       Prior to commencement of the development, site vegetative clearance, demolition of existing structures, ground-works, heavy machinery entering site or the on-site storage of materials, a scheme of tree protection measures shall be prepared by a suitably experienced and qualified arborticultural consultant in accordance with British Standard 5837: 2012 - Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction and submitted to the Council for their approval.  Upon approval in writing from the Council, the agreed tree protection measures shall be made ready for inspection.  The approved tree protection requirements shall remain implemented in their entirety for the duration of the construction of the development and the protective fencing and signage may only be moved or dismantled with the prior consent of the Council in-writing.

            Reason: To preserve existing landscape features (protected trees) in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans. 

He advised members that this application was for a change of use of premises.  Should planning permission be granted the applicant would need to apply for a new separate premises license as the previous one had elapsed. 

He referred to the key considerations being; contribution to the night time economy including jobs, the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre and the crime and safety issues.  He updated Members with further information and clarification from the Licensing Manager and therefore more weight could be given to the night time economy.  He believed some more weight could be attributed to the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre particularly in the interest of the Yeovil Refresh and support for the regeneration of the town.  However on balance and taking into consideration strong objections from the Police Authority his recommendation was to refuse the application for reasons set out in the agenda report.

In response to members’ questions, the Planning Officer and Development Manager clarified that:

·         This application is solely to seek planning permission for change of use for the premises within the red line area as indicated on the plan. 

·         Other issues regarding the management and delivery of activities would be controlled under the licensing regime and reiterated the obligation for the applicant to apply for the necessary new premises licence.

·         A separate signage application has been submitted but there are no proposed alterations to the outside of the building.

·         Acknowledged the requirement for the premises to be Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.

Councillor Andy Kendall, Ward member made reference to recent crime figures taken from Police statistics and believed it revealed that this particular location was not a hot spot for crime.  He acknowledged there were problems in other parts of the town, however with other popular lively drinking bars nearby and frequent passing footfall in the area this was ideal premises for this type of application.  He believed it was important to support the night time economy and vitality of the town and therefore would support the application.

Councillor Kaysar Hussain also voiced support for the application.  He believed that this was ideal use of these premises and believed other types of business such as a fashion clothes shop would not wish to occupy these premises.  He felt it important to support the night time economy and the vitality of the town centre.

During discussion members acknowledged the concerns raised by the Police Authority, however considered the crime figures for the area to be less in comparison to other areas.  They believed the location to be in the leisure corridor of Yeovil with various cafes and a popular public house with dedicated doormen in the area that generates frequent passing footfall.  In conclusion members voiced support for the application and believed it would help the night time economy, vitality and regeneration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site, location plans and streetscene and proposed housing types.

He confirmed to members that standard comments had now been received from the Highways Authority.  He also explained that this is an interim application in order for the developers to continue onsite and maintain build continuity in advance of a larger application to be submitted.

He believed that due to the continuation of the build process, no objections from the Highways Authority and Yeovil Without Parish Council the recommendation was to approve the application a set out in the agenda report.

John Bishop, on behalf of Charles Bishop Ltd, one of the Brimsmore Land Owners then addressed the committee.  He clarified the application was for an interim period in order for the developers to continue onsite and maintain build continuity.  He spoke of the recent exhibition for local residents and the excellent comments received in regard to the high standard of development of this award winning scheme.

The Development Manager confirmed to members that the suggested conditions and existing s106’s are still secure and would continue to cover all matters.

During a short discussion, members acknowledged the excellent standard of the development undertaken.  It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved, as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report.

On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

To grant planning permission to application 17/03214/REM for the following reason

01.       This application for Reserved Matters approval follows the grant of Outline permission ref no 05/00753/OUT and the details accord with the principles set out in the outline application and in the Local Plan allocation for this site and with the relevant planning policies, including the NPPF.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the plans as set out on the schedule dated 24th August 2017.

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

02.       Prior to the commencement of any dwelling full details of the following shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for each plot in the phase, or part thereof, to be constructed:-

-      specific external wall materials, finishes and colours including sample panels for approval on site to show masonry coursing, jointing, bond and pointing and render finishes.

-      details of any proposed parapets, string courses, plinths and mouldings

-      specific window and door design details including sections and wall opening details including arch. lintel, cill, window/door surround and reveal depth.

-      details of any porches and door hoods

-      position and details of meter boxes and any external flue, vent and extract terminals

-      roof materials, including samples

-      roof ridge, hip, eaves, verge and rainwater goods details

-      any chimney, dormer and roof light details.

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.