Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 17^th July 2018 and 21^st August 2018.

The minutes of the Regulation Committees held on 17^th July 2018 and 21^st August 2018 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul who was substituted by Councillor Derek Yeomans, Councillor Mike Best who was substituted by Councillor Carol Goodall, Councillor David Recardo who was substituted by Councillor Rob Stickland, Councillor Sylvia Seal who was substituted by Councillor Crispin Raikes and Councillor Colin Winder who was substituted by Councillor Nick Colbert.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Application Proposal: Erection of 25 dwellings and formation of access (outline) Land Os 3727 Part Windmill Hill Lane Ashill TA19 9PA

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and proposed plans. In terms of updates he reported that a number of photographs had been received by local residents and have been included within his presentation. 

He referred to the key considerations of the application, and advised that Ashill is defined within the Local Plan as a rural settlement, however explained only limited weight can be given to the housing constraints policies given that the Council cannot demonstrate a five year land supply.  He said the village had some local facilities including a village hall and primary school and noted the Area West committee concerns who were minded to refuse the application concluding the site was not located in a sustainable location.  However he does consider the village meets the criteria as set out under Policy SS2 of the Local Plan and given a number of appeal decisions in other similar rural settlements within the district where inspectors have accepted residential development he believed the principle of development to be acceptable.

The Area Lead Planner also noted the Highway Authority had raised no objection and that the parking had now been amended and only falls two short of the optimum standard.  He noted the Landscape Officer comments and although appreciated his concern regarding development of the whole site the Area Lead Planner considered with the additional landscaping this proposal would not have a significant impact on the area.

He believed the scheme would not have an adverse impact on the setting of the local heritage assets including the church and Listed village road sign and that the Ecologist had raised no objection given the hedges are largely to be retained and was satisfied with the submitted biodiversity report.   He noted the site was within Flood Zone one and although appreciated residents’ concern the applicant would need to submit an acceptable drainage scheme to mitigate any flooding issues which would be determined and conditioned at reserve matter stage. 

The Area Lead Planner explained the historical applications at the site had been refused permission because of impact on the area but settlements previously had development boundaries which no longer existed.    

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

In response to questions from Members, the Area Lead Planner advised:

·         Although the Local Plan had provided an expected target of 2,242 homes across all the rural settlements, with completions and commitments, this figure was now at 2,700.

·         The land was agricultural grade III.

·         Approximately 250 housing were situated within the parish of Ashill but unsure of the exact amount of development in Ashill over recent years.

·         Appreciated the concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee is on Tuesday 16^th October 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 will be on Tuesday 16^th October 2018 at 10.00am.