Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil.

Contact: Jo Boucher, Case Officer - 01935 462011  Email: jo.boucher@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

135.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Councillor David Recardo reported that Councillor Peter Gubbins would be late arriving at the meeting and therefore he would take the Chair for the start of the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Karl Gill, Councillor David Gubbins and Councillor Rob Stickland.

136.

Declarations of Interest

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, Tony Lock, David Recardo and Andy Soughton.

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Seib declared a personal interest in agenda item 13 - Planning application 19/02954/LBC as he has a working relationship with the applicant who is the Director of Service Delivery.

 

Councillor Pauline Lock and  Councillor Mike Lock both declared a personal interest in item 11 – Planning Application 19/02184/FUL as they are both members of Yeovil Without Parish Council.

 

137.

Public question time

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

138.

Chairman's announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman informed members that there was a Charity event being held on Saturday 7th December 2019 at Holy Trinity Church in Yeovil in aid of the Yeovil District Hospital Cancer unit.

139.

Reports from representatives on outside organisations

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

Minutes:

There were no reports from members.

140.

Request for Area Funding to support the Work of Leisure and Recreation Service (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Decision:

 

Resolved that:

 

(1)    Members noted the report and the work of the Leisure and Recreation Service.

(2)    Members agreed funding of £500 from Area South discretionary budget to the Local MIND group towards a series of sessions to be delivered in Yeovil Country Park.

 

(voting: unanimous)

 

Minutes:

The Leisure and Recreation Manager presented the report and with the aid of slides gave members an overview of the service delivered by Leisure and Recreation over the last year.  This included:

 

·         Community Heritage Access Centre (CHAC)

·         Countryside – including new children’s Roman Trail, Pop Up Museum and Activity Centre and recent land acquisition at Ham Hill.

·         Yeovil Country Park – including successful park yoga event.

·         Yeovil Recreation Centre – Positive engagement with more clubs using the centre.

·         Tourism – Success of the Tourist Information Centre and intention to relaunch the River Parrett Trail.

 

She asked members to consider granting £500 from the Area South discretionary budget to the local MIND group to help deliver a series of sessions to be run by the council’s Community Heritage Officer at the Yeovil Country Park.  She said the group had established a very positive relationship with the park, these extra sessions will help support and benefit the participants in an environment they are familiar with and with a person they trust. 

 

During a short discussion, members noted the officer’s report and it was proposed and subsequently seconded to agree funding £500 to the Local MIND group towards a series of sessions to be delivered in Yeovil Country Park.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.  

 

Resolved that:

 

(1)    Members noted the report and the work of the Leisure and Recreation Service.

(2)    Members agreed funding of £500 from Area South discretionary budget to the Local MIND group towards a series of sessions to be delivered in Yeovil Country Park.

(voting: unanimous)

 

141.

Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Update (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Decision:

Resolved that members:

1)    Noted the work undertaken by the Partnership in the last 12 months and the proposed changes to the partnership and that a similar report will be taken to Area East Committee.

 

2)    Refused the funding contribution of £1,000 from Area South revenue discretionary projects grants budget for 2019/20.

 

(voting 9 in favour, 5 against, 0 abstentions)

 

3)    Agreed in principle that the Council’s share of the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Reserve and share of any surplus from the 2019/20 revenue budget is transferred to the new Somerset and Dorset CRP to assist with start-up costs and appointment of a new community rail officer.

 

(voting: unanimous)

 

 

Minutes:

The Specialist – Strategic Planning presented the report and summarised to members the work undertaken by the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership and the proposed changes to the structure of the Partnership as set out in the agenda report.  She explained that should members agree to continue to support and remain a member of the Partnership the authority would continue to have a representative on the new organisation.

During discussion, members made several comments including the following:

·         Questioned the benefits to the authority if continued as a member of the partnership and the definite contribution it has to the connectivity of the area and people of South Somerset.

·         Believe the money could be better spend elsewhere on grant funding or direct lobbying.

·         Need to encourage, support the volunteers, and sustain the work of these groups

In response to questions the Specialist – Strategic Planning acknowledged there had been less support for the local stations in the last 12 months as a direct result of the departure of the Community Rail Officer due to ill health.  She said the new partnership  would be structured in a different way (with a new separate line strategy group) and a new rail officer appointed in due course.  She told members that by not supporting the Community Rail Partnership then the Council would lose their seat at the table.  She added that the other Somerset and Dorset authorities who are partnered to the agreement have committed funding into the new partnership.

There being no further debate, members noted the officer’s report and proposed to refuse the contribution of £1000 from the Area South revenue discretionary grants Budget but agree the transfer of the surplus budget to assist with the start-up costs of the new organisation.

 

Resolved that members:

1)    Noted the work undertaken by the Partnership in the last 12 months and the proposed changes to the partnership and that a similar report will be taken to Area East Committee.

 

2)    Refused the funding contribution of £1,000 from Area South revenue discretionary projects grants budget for 2019/20.

 

(voting 5 in favour, 9 against, 0 abstentions)

 

3)    Agreed in principle that the Council’s share of the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Reserve and share of any surplus from the 2019/20 revenue budget is transferred to the new Somerset and Dorset CRP to assist with start-up costs and appointment of a new community rail officer.

 

(voting: unanimous)

 

 

142.

Area South Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Forward Plan.

143.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the schedule of planning applications.

144.

Planning Application 19/02080/FUL - 41 Percy Road Yeovil BA21 5AJ pdf icon PDF 984 KB

Minutes:

Proposal:  The change of use of existing dwelling into a HMO, the erection of a new dwelling and conversion of existing garage into a new dwelling.

 

The Specialist, Development Management presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of slides showed the site and proposed plans. 

 

She referred to the key considerations being visual impact, highway and parking and residential amenity.  She believed the proposal replicated the design of existing houses in the streetscene and considering the current density of the development believe there was no issue in residential amenity.  The proposed parking provision is within current parking standards and that the highway authority had raised no objection. 

 

The Specialist, Development Management therefore concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions, she confirmed that:

 

·         Clarified to members the bin storage areas on site.

·         A condition is to be imposed to ensure all boundary treatments be agreed before occupation.

·         Understood the historical commercial use was mainly regarding the access and rear workshop and outbuildings for mechanical use.

·         Clarified the parking strategy guidelines.

·         Consider it to be a six bedroom house for the reason that it shared community facilities.

 

The Architect for the applicant then spoke in support of the application. He referred to other appeal decisions and the encouragement of lower car ownership with HMO’s.  He said over 60% of tenants in HMO’s do not have cars and that this site is within walking distance of the town centre.  He believed the proposal would enhance the back yard, would remove cars from the road and was located within a zone encouraged for HMO’s.

 

Ward member, Councillor Tony Lock raised concern regarding the lack of proposed parking in an area, which is already a problem, and believe this proposal will only exacerbate the issue. He did not object to the development of the HMO but the development of the additional dwellings, which he felt was gross overdevelopment of the site.

 

Ward member, Councillor David Recardo also raised concern regarding the current on street parking issues in the area.  He also raised concern regarding the proposed new dwelling at the rear of the site and that the proposal did not generate enough parking.

 

During member’s discussion, several comments were raised including the following:

 

·         Believe the proposal does not meets the SCC Parking Strategy.

·         Consider the proposal to be a good development of the site but concern regarding the lack of parking provision.

·         Acknowledge parking concerns, however believe the parking provision is adequate for this development.

 

It was then proposed and seconded that the application be approved, as per the officers recommendation as set out in the agenda report. On being put to the vote this was taken as 7 votes in favour, 7 against and 0 abstentions.  The Chairman then provided his casting vote for refusal of the application.

 

During further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

145.

Planning Application 19/02184/FUL - Land Adjacent Hillview Yeovil Marsh Road Yeovil Without pdf icon PDF 404 KB

Minutes:

Proposal:  Erection of a modular building for use as an ancillary sales office for the approved mobile home park extension

 

The Case Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint showed the site and proposed plans. She explained the Highways Authority had raised no objection and that no objections had been received from neighbours.   However, Yeovil Without Parish Council had recommended refusal for both the location and as the site is not designated for this purpose or use.

 

She referred to the key considerations being the impact on visual and residential amenity, highway safety and loss of amenity land.  She acknowledged concerns regarding the location of the proposed structure but felt the building would take up only a small fraction of the open space and therefore not considered harmful to visual amenity. 

 

She said the imposition of a condition to restrict the permission for a temporary period of five years and restrict opening times to be acceptable and therefore after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions, she confirmed that:

 

·         The amenity land is within the ownership of the applicant.

·         The location of the access and emergency access of the site.

·         The applicant could erect a temporary structure for the temporary use for the implementation for the proposal.

 

A representative of the applicant addressed the committee and spoke in support of the application.  He explained this was a temporary small structure to accommodate the sales office and that the applicant was happy to remove the structure after the five year period.  He said the proposed building is sited in the best location because other areas of the site suffered with drainage issues.  

 

Ward member, Councillor Graham Oakes noted the previous application had already been approved and questioned the reason to change the plans.  He said the building would take up 14% of the amenity space and did not believe the structure was a requirement for the site and that logically the best option was to make use of the first mobile home.  He believed the proposal was contrary to policy EQ2 and therefore would not support the application on grounds of visual amenity.

 

Ward member, Councillor Mike Lock voiced his concern regarding the application, he believed Yeovil Marsh already has a massive infrastructure problem along with drainage issues and this proposal will only exacerbate these matters. He would not support the application.  

 

During member’s discussion, comments were raised including the following:

 

·         Questioned the need for the additional temporary sales office when the obvious choice would be to use the first mobile home once positioned on site.

·         This area already has poor infrastructure with no street lighting or footpaths and poor drainage system.  This proposal will only exacerbate these issues.

·         Proposal is already within the development land and given the temporary nature of it’s temporary use consider it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

146.

Planning Application 19/02614/FUL - Westland Helicopters Ltd Lysander Road Yeovil pdf icon PDF 807 KB

Minutes:

(This agenda item was taken before agenda item 11) (Councillor Peter Gubbins took over as Chairman and Councillor David Recardo resumed as Vice Chairman at the beginning of this item)

 

Proposal:  The formation of a hard surface airstrip, associated lighting and ancillary lighting control building.

 

The Specialist, Development Management presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of slides showed the site and proposed plans.  She updated members that an additional condition and informative be included as requested by the Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA).  The full wording was shown on the powerpoint presentation for members information.

 

She referred to the key considerations being principle, residential amenity, setting of Listed buildings and visual amenity, drainage and highways impact.  She said the proposal was for the existing use of the business for helicopters and light aircraft only and that there is essentially no change to the airstrip itself.  She said the drainage had now been addressed by the LLFA and recommend a highways construction traffic management plan

 

The Specialist, Development Management  also updated members that the MOD have confirmed they have no safeguarding objections and therefore after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions, she confirmed that:

 

·         Acknowledged member’s concern regarding the nearby culvert and run off surface water, however the LLFA and Environment Agency consider the detailed drainage scheme and maintenance plan to be acceptable.

·         A construction traffic management plan is proposed as a condition to ensure the times of activity on the site.

 

The agent then addressed the committee and believed this proposal was necessary to enhance and bring forward the airfield to an appropriate standard to help continue to serve this aerospace company.  His comments also included:

·         The application complies with the Civil and Military Aviation Authority.

·         The proposed airstrip is approximately 300 metres shorter than the previous and only suitable for small fixed wing and helicopters and confirmed there is no possibility that other aircraft would use this strip.

·         All statutory consultees consider the application acceptable and although acknowledge concerns raised, noted the LLFA now consider the scheme acceptable.

He concluded the application was part of an investment for the whole of the site, which will help secure the future of this company and the town.

 

Ward member, Councillor Andy Soughton was satisfied the LLFA had now addressed the flooding concerns and believed the application will help enhance the future of the company and therefore would support the application.

 

During a short debate, members voiced their support for the application and considered it long overdue.  It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as set out in the agenda report and subject to the additional condition and informative as requested by the LLFA. On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That application 19/02614/FUL be approved for the following reasons:

 

 

01.       The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

147.

Planning Application 19/02954/LBC - Higher Burton Farmhouse Burton Lane East Coker pdf icon PDF 438 KB

Minutes:

Proposal:  Replacement of 2 no rear windows and 1 no front window.

 

The Case Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint showed the site and proposed plans. She explained the application had been brought to committee as the applicant is a senior member of staff.

 

She referred to the key consideration being the impact on the Heritage Asset and that the Conservation officer was in support of the application.  She concluded that contrary to there being no adverse comments from the Parish Council her proposal was to approve the application as set out in the agenda report.

 

During a short discussion, members voiced their support of the application and in agreement with the Case Officer requested that a condition be imposed to ensure the slimline double glazing design of the proposed windows.  

 

It was then proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report with the additional condition regarding the slimline design of the double glazed windows. .  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Listed Building Consent be granted subject to no contrary comments from the Parish Council by 14th December 2019.

 

01.       The proposal by reason of its limited/informed intervention into the historic fabric of this listed building is considered to respect the historic and architectural interests of the building in accordance with the policy EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-28, and the provisions of Chapter 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019.

 

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

 

01.       The works hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this consent.

           

            Reason:  As required by Section 16(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans, received by South Somerset District Council dated on the electronic file 07/11/19:

           

            Additional information from applicant

            Design and Access statement

            Ordnance Survey site plan (1:1250)

           

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

03.       The installation of the proposed front window shall be completed in full prior to the installation of the proposed rear windows.

           

            Reason:  To safeguard the character of the listed building in accordance with policy EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

04.       The double glazed windows hereby approved shall be of slimline design as stated in the application form.

 

Reason: To safeguard the character of the listed building in accordance with policy EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-28.’

 

(voting: unanimous)