Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 March 2018.

The minutes of the Regulation Committee held on 20^th March 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 Angie Singleton and Sarah Dyke.

In the absence of Councillor Angie Singleton the Chairman Councillor Peter Gubbins asked that member agree that Councillor David Recardo be elected as Vice-Chairman for the duration of the meeting.  This was agreed unanimously by members.

Councillor Neil Bloomfield and Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul declared a personal interest in Item 5 Planning Application 17/04381/FUL as they were both members of the Area North Committee.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Application Proposal: Land Rear of Beaufort Gardens, West End Close, South Petherton

Before the presentation commenced, Councillor Nick Weeks asked that future planning committee reports always include a postcode in the site address to aid members in reference to the site.

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 referred members to the four main issues raised by the Area North committee as noted in the agenda report and two appeal decisions at the request of Councillor Neil Bloomfield. He also updated members on the following:

·         A petition had been received signed by 85 objectors to the proposal.

·          A further letter of objection had been received raising concern of loss of light, issues of access and impact on the local services.

·         Clarified the incomplete sentence on page 10 to read ‘The applicant has addressed these concerns and the Highway Authority are content with planning condition to ensure removal of the fence.

·         Clarified the incomplete sentence on page 15 to read ‘Secondly, whilst the housing supply policies are to be considered out of date for the purpose of decision making, planning weight may still be given to other policies in the development plan.

He also had received a detailed statement from the applicant’s agent following the Area North Committee which included the following:

·         Made reference to recent schemes at West End Close and Beaufort Close and considered the density per hectare was appropriate in comparison.

·         In relation to the Local plan settlement strategy this proposal would be 35% increase above minimum target.

·         Believed the proposal at Lavers Oak Martock would have exceeded the local plan targets for Martock by 50%. 

·         Level of growth still well below the next tier settlement hierarchy. Permission on next tier up is significantly higher than minimum target.

·         Site is approximately 600metres from village centre with accessible footpath and lighting.

·         Acceptable gradient levels within guidance, recently approved applications located on steeply raised land.

·         No substantive evidence to prove access road unacceptable.

The Planning Officer considered that the proposal was in accordance with the settlement strategy as set out in the local plan, in a sustainable location with no objections from the highways authority and supported by a travel plan.  The scheme would make a contribution towards local and strategic play and sport facilities with a Section 106 agreement also seeking to secure delivery of 35% of the units as affordable housing in accordance with a tenure to be agreed with the Strategic Housing Manager. 

The Section 106 agreement would also seek to secure appropriate measures for managing the ecological buffer around the site and also be subject to an updated plan clarifying the shared surfaces will be adopted highway.

He therefore concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, his proposal was therefore to approve the application subject to the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

In response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee is on Tuesday 15 May 2018 at 10.00am.  However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee is on Tuesday 15^th May 2018 at 10.00am.  However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.