Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the Area South meeting held on 4^th March 2015 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Vincent Chainey, Tony Fife, Dave Greene, Graham Oakes, Wes Read and David Recardo.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), 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.  A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. 

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.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15^th May 2014, 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.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs  2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

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 Tim Carroll, Tony Fife, Peter Gubbins, Ian Martin and Gina Seaton

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, in accordance with the Council's Code of Practice on Planning, 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.

Councillor Pauline Lock declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 9 – Land Off Stone Lane, Yeovil as the applicant is known to her. She is also a member of Yeovil Without Parish Council.

Councillor John Gleeson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 – Land Off Stone Lane, Yeovil as he is a member of Yeovil Without Parish Council. 

This is a chance for members of the public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils to participate in the meeting by asking questions, making comments and raising matters of concern.  Parish/Town Council representatives may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town. The public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils will be invited to speak on individual planning applications at the time the applications are considered.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman updated members on:

·         Signage for Wyndham Street and a traffic survey agreed with SCC.

·         Thanked current members for all their hard work and efforts over the last four years, particularly Cllr Tony Fife who had been a councillor for 32 years.

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

Members were informed that:

·         An SSDC grant recently awarded to Yeovil Tennis Club had now helped in opening a new tennis court offering wheelchair tennis and other excellent opportunities.

·         Councillor Ian Martin had recently attended the First Great Western Rail Annual Conference who had been given assurance for additional rolling stock on the HOW rail.

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 presentation showed the site and proposed plans. 

He explained the application has been referred to committee as SSDC are the applicant and referred to the key considerations being the effect upon visual amenity and impact on public safety.

In response to members’ questions the Planning Officer explained:

·         Only the welcome sign would be fixed to the outside fencing, all other board signs were single sided facing inwards.

·         Confirmed the signs would be made of acceptable material with low noise impact.

Viv Cornelius then addressed the committee and spoke in objection to the application.  She voiced her concern regarding the noise impact the hockey balls would have on hitting the boards, however was pleased that the material had been changed to mitigate this issue.

During a short discussion members raised several issues including the following:

·         Considered the signs were unobtrusive and would have minimal visual impact on the surrounding area.

·         Request that a condition be made to ensure the backing material of the signs be of’ uniform green’ to assimilate with the surrounding area

·         A member voiced concern regarding the impact of noise for local residents.

The Locum Planning Solicitor advised members that legislation is in place to deal with any noise issues that may arise in the future and that this was not a consideration for members.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved as per the officers recommendation and as set out in the agenda report and subject to the condition regarding the colouring of the signs.  On being put to the vote this was carried by 10 votes in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED:

That application 15/00283/ADV be approved for the following reason:

01.       The proposal, by virtue of the siting, design, number, materials, scale and non-illumination is in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area, causes no harm to visual or residential amenity and does not prejudice public safety and is in accordance with the aims and objectives of policy EQ2 (General Development) of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) and the NPPF Chapter 7: Requiring Good Design.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       (a) All advertisements displayed and any land used for the display of advertisements shall be maintained in a clean and tidy condition to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (b) Any hoarding or similar structure or any sign, placard, board or device erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a safe condition to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (c) Where any advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the removal thereof shall be carried out to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (d) Before any advertisement is displayed on land in accordance with the consent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

(Having earlier declared a Personal & Prejudicial interest Councillor Pauline Lock left the room during consideration of this item).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and proposed plans.  He also updated members on several points including the following:

·         Referred to SCC Highways comments which had been received and emailed around to members for their information prior to committee.

·         Agent has referred to new Planning guidance changes in relation to providing housing for elderly people. However this is not considered to change planning Policy’s opinion.

·         Further discussions and changes, with the submission of amended plans submitted by the applicant following discussions with the SSDC arborist regarding the protected trees and landscaping scheme.  However, the SSDC arborist still raises some objections to the scheme.

·         Recent changes to CIL Legislation may necessitate a reduction in Sport, Arts and Leisure contributions, should members be minded to approve the application.

·         An additional letter of support for the application had been received.

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

·         The Highway Authority raised no objection to the application subject to conditions as set out in their response.

·         A travel plan was submitted with the application and bus routes were available at Stone Lane and Combe Street Lane.

·         A Provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was made on site on 6^th March 2015.  SSDC have a responsibility to apply TPO’s in the interim of a pending planning application should it be considered necessary.

·         The site is located outside of the Local Plan development limit.

·         The site lies alongside the Yeovil Development Limit.

Iris Coton from Yeovil Without Parish Council spoke in support of the application.  She said the Parish Council were unanimously in support of the application and thought it was a very tasteful and exciting scheme and that there was a genuine need within the parish and town for this type of development.  She also believed the application was nearby local bus services, local shops and doctor’s surgery and that local education needs was not a concern for this scheme.  She hoped that members support the application and the need for local housing for the elderly.

Members of the public and residents of Stone Lane then addressed the committee and raised several comments in support of the application, which included the following:

·         The proposed scheme meets a growing need for the older generation as offers the opportunity of older residents to downsize but remain in the local area.

·         Mudford Parish Council is in full support of the application.

·         Excellent well thought out scheme and the layout and density of the scheme is appropriate.

·         Proposed pedestrian link will enable easy access to local bus routes and shops nearby.

·         Single storey bungalows would have minimal impact upon existing properties and surrounding area.

·         Huge need for the provision of a retirement village in Yeovil.

John Snell, the applicant then addressed the committee.  He believed there was a need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

The Chairman explained to the committee that a Ward member had requested a site visit prior to this application being determined.  It was therefore proposed and subsequently seconded that a site visit takes place to examine drainage and the mix of affordable housing as highlighted by the Development Manager.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That application 14/05063/FUL be deferred for a committee site visit.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Neighbourhood Development Officer with the aid of slides presented the report as detailed in the agenda.  She highlighted various grants awarded including:

·         the success of the new tennis court at Yeovil Tennis Club

·         longevity of the Golden Oldies Charitable Trust

·         the growth of the Street Pastors

·         benefits of the Hearing Loop at Abbey Community Hall.

Members noted the report and thanked the Neighbourhood Development Officer for all her hard work.

NOTED

The Area South Development Manager presented the report as set out in the agenda and outlined to members the areas of work and achievements during 2014/15.  She highlighted key projects and services managed by Area Development South including:

·         Continued work on Health & Inequalities at Westfield

·         Loss of market supervisor however managed to absorb workload within the team

·         Success of the re launch of Yeovil markets

·         Working with SCC on the new dual use community hall and school building on the Lufton Housing Estate.

·         Secured funding of £400,000 for Community facilities at Wyndham Park.

·         Yeovil Youth Services

·         Success of Yeovil Half Marathon

·         Yeovil One Project – in partnership with Police focusing on crime prevention and Anti Social Behaviour.

During a short discussion members thanked the Area South Development Manager for a very comprehensive report and excellent work of her team.  Members were happy to approve the Area Development South Interim work programme April-September 2015.

No requests were made by members.

(Voting: Without dissent)

Members noted the Planning Appeals.