Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2018.

Councillor Nick Weeks requested an amendment be made to the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 17^th July 2018 which had been circulated. He referred to the minute for item number 22 (planning application 13/03483/OUT – The Trial Ground, Somerton Road, Langport) and asked that reference be made for the provision of swallow/swift boxes to be included within the development, as this had been omitted from the minutes.

It was agreed that the minutes would be amended to include this request and re-circulated to members.

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Clare Aparicio-Paul who was substituted by Councillor Graham Middleton.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Application Proposal: Section 73A application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of planning approval 09/03037/FUL to allow for revised plans to replace on plot 1 a single storey dwelling with a two storey dwelling

The Planning Officer presented her report to members, explaining that the application had been refused by members at the July meeting of the Area East Committee.

She explained to members that there had been two further letters received from local residents, however advised that the letters did not raise any new issues.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, she pointed out the position of plot 1, explaining that the original planning application was for a development of 13 dwellings, with a mix of single and two-storey dwellings.

She also pointed out the position of two further dwellings on the site advising members that a similar planning application had recently been refused to replace bungalows with two-storey dwellings. She added that this decision to refuse was now subject to an appeal. 

Using the PowerPoint presentation, she provided images of the site and neighbouring properties and a plan to show the layout and location of bungalows and houses on the site. She also provided images to show the proposed elevations of the dwelling and clarified that there would be no windows on the first floor level to overlook the property at 28 Bowden Road.

She explained to members that the plot was bounded by high close-board fencing on several sides and mature trees to the rear in the neighbour’s garden. Although she noted the views of the residents, she felt that the proposal would be in keeping and would not result in any demonstrable visual or amenity harm to existing residents by way of overlooking or loss of light. She also confirmed that there were no parking concerns and that the proposal meets the standard in accordance with highways standing advice. She clarified that it was her recommendation that the application be approved, subject to conditions as detailed in her report. 

In response to questions from members, she clarified the positions of where the presentation photographs were taken within the site. She also clarified which plots had been approved permission as bungalows and which plots had been completed.

A local resident spoke in objection to the proposal. He explained that he had bought his home ‘off plan’ and explained that this plan was a balanced plan, indicating bungalows on one side of the development and houses on the other. He felt that this amendment to the scheme was in bad faith and felt that the developer was in breach of contract. He also advised that the plan showed the driveways to be much longer than they are and suggested that there would be parking issues on the site.  He advised that he would be overlooked by this dwelling and stated that there was a national shortage of bungalows.

Another local resident spoke in objection to the application. She advised members that this plan would be different to the plan, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Planning Officer explained to members that since writing her report, it had become evident that there were some outstanding ecology matters, which should be dealt with prior to the application being determined. She advised members that she was waiting for a phase 2 ecology survey, which should be with her before the end of the week. She therefore advised that her recommendation was now for members to defer the application to the September meeting of the Regulation Committee to allow full consideration of the ecology issues.

Following this, it was proposed and seconded that the application be deferred to the September meeting of the Regulation Committee.

On being put to the vote, this was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 18/00650/OUT be deferred to the September meeting of the Regulation Committee to allow full consideration of the outstanding ecology issues.

(Voting: unanimous)

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee will be held on Tuesday 18^th September 2018 at 10.00am.  However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.

Members noted that the scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee will be held on Tuesday 18^th September 2018 at 10.00am.