Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 November 2018.

The Case Officer- Support Services informed members of an amendment to Item 2 Apologies for Absence that should include the wording ‘in the absence of Councillor Angie Singleton Councillor Tony Lock was elected as vice-chairman for the duration of the meeting’.

Members agreed with the amendment and the minutes of the Regulation Committee held on 20^th November 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 Mike Best who was substituted by Councillor Ric Pallister and Councillor Nick Weeks who was substituted by Councillor Nick Colbert.

Apologies of absence were also received from Councillors Mike Lock and Martin Wale.

Councillor David Recardo wished to inform the committee that he had been sent a briefing note prior to the meeting via email from the agent regarding application 18/01311/OUT which he believed all members had received.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Application Proposal: Land OS 4538, The Pound, Broadway Road, Broadway TA19 9RA

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site, indicative layout plans and photographs of the site including the access. In terms of updates he reported that:

·         Alder King had submitted a briefing note to all members prior to the committee meeting.

·         2 further letters of objection had been received reiterating previous issues already raised and safety concerns regarding the construction phase.

·         SCC Education had confirmed that they would not be seeking a contribution from the applicant in this instance. They believed that although currently the local school was at full capacity, approximately 60 pupils were from the Ilminster area.

He explained that the application was a resubmission of a previous application for 46 dwellings and that following a meeting on site with the Highways Authority and given the recorded speeds along Pound Road being well in excess of 30mph, they agreed the required visibility splay at the proposed junction be at 90 metres to improve highway safety for road users.

The Area Lead Planner then explained in detail the key considerations which were the principle of development, housing need/local plan housing strategy, highways/parking, landscape, residential amenity, ecology and local infrastructure/facilities. He noted that the Parish Council had carried out a housing needs survey and that a significant minority indicated that affordable housing was required in the area.  He also confirmed that the copse to the south east of the site, whilst outside of the application, would be retained and maintained by the applicant as a landscape feature and for ecological benefit.  He suggested that should the application be approved this be secured under a Section 106 legal agreement. 

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:

·         An additional footpath has been proposed starting opposite Croft farm on the southern side of Broadway Road.

·         Acknowledged the housing survey had indicated that larger development sites had no support, however does not specify what a larger site is.

·         Confirmed the retention and maintenance of the copse can be secured by a Section 106 Agreement and that at present no trees are subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), however can request the Arborist to explore this further.

·         Under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation the Ward member can request the reserve matters application be brought back to committee for approval.

Councillor Sue Osborne then addressed the committee and read out comments from Ward member, Councillor Linda Vijeh on her behalf as she was unable to attend the meeting. These included:

·         Supported and endorsed the concerns raised by Broadway Parish Council as they had the local knowledge of the area.

·         Development will harm the character and landscape of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee will be held on Tuesday 19 February 2019 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 19^th February 2019 at 10.00am.