Agenda item

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans.  She explained the application was referred to committee due to the nature of the proposals and SSDC being the applicant. 

She updated members that a further letter of objection had been received emphasising concern regarding the number of proposed parking spaces and the requirement of habitat and tree surveys.  They also questioned the compliance of the conditions of permission regarding the new service road and that the Council were currently looking into this to ensure proper compliance.

The Area Lead Planner also informed members that all mature trees and planting would be retained as part of the proposal with the exception of a limited number of small trees which were to be removed.  She confirmed the SSDC Tree officer had raised no objection to this proposal and considered the proposal would have no severe impact on visual or residential amenity of the area and was positioned in an appropriate location.

She also recommended that a lighting condition be imposed to control the hours of lighting to comply with the opening hours of the Crematorium and that there was justification for additional parking with no additional traffic movements to and from the site.

The Area Lead Planner therefore concluded that for the reasons as previously outlined, her proposal was to approve the application and the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

Councillor Peter Seib, Ward member acknowledged the neighbouring residents concerns and mourners to the crematorium who value this large tranquil area of the site.  However he believed the need for this overflow car park was extremely justified and would therefore support this application.

Following a short discussion, members sought clarification regarding the mitigation of lighting on the site and the safeguarding of unauthorised access to the overflow car park.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That application 18/00866/FUL be approved for the following reasons:

01.       The proposal will provide additional parking to meet current needs, is not considered to result in demonstrable harm to residential or visual amenity and the impact upon existing planting is deemed to be acceptable. Accordingly, the proposal is considered to comply with policies SD1, SS1, TA5, EQ2, EQ4 and EQ5 of the Local Plan and is as such recommended for approval.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Location Plan 1:1250; Drawing No.'s 1379-10 and AS/114-02

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03.       The car park hereby approved shall only be used when the crematorium grounds are open:

            8.30am - 6.00pm between 1st April - 1st October; and

            8.30am - 5pm at all other times.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028.

04.       Prior the first use of the car park hereby approved details of how the lighting shall be controlled (to include light sensors and timer to restrict lighting to crematorium opening times) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details and there shall be no change to the details without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028.

05.       In the event that any signs of pollution such as poor plant growth, odour, staining of the soil, unusual colouration or soil conditions, or remains from the past industrial use, are found in the soil at any time when carrying out the approved development it must be reported in writing within 14 days to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The LPA will then consider if the findings have any impact upon the development and development must be halted on that part of the site. If the LPA considers it necessary then an assessment of the site must be undertaken in accordance with BS10175. Where remediation is deemed necessary by the LPA a remediation scheme must be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA and then implemented in accordance with the submitted details.

            Reason: To protect the health of future occupiers of the site from any possible effects of contaminated land, in accordance with Local Planning Policy.

06.       Prior to commencement of this development details of the proposals for the disposal of surface water shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall take place in accordance with the approved details.

            Reason: To ensure that the development is appropriately drained. 

07.       Prior to commencement of this planning permission, demolition of existing structures, ground-works, heavy machinery entering site or the on-site storage of materials, a scheme of tree protection measures, including protective fencing and signage; shall be prepared in-writing and submitted to the Council for approval. Upon approval in-writing by the Council, the scheme of tree protection measures shall be installed and made ready for inspection. The locations and suitability of the tree protection measures shall be inspected by a representative of the Council (to arrange, please call 01935 462670) and confirmed in-writing by the Council to be satisfactory prior to commencement of the development. The approved tree and hedgerow protection requirements shall remain implemented in their entirety for the duration of the construction of the development and the protective fencing/signage may only be moved or dismantled with the prior consent of the Council in-writing.

            Reason: To preserve the health, structure and amenity value of existing landscape features (trees) in accordance with the following policies of The South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028); EQ2: General Development, EQ4: Bio-Diversity & EQ5: Green Infrastructure.

08.       No works shall be undertaken until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, a scheme of tree and shrub planting. Such a scheme shall confirm the use of planting stock of UK-provenance only, the planting locations, numbers of individual species, sizes at the time of planting, details of root-types or grafting and the approximate date of planting. The installation details regarding ground preparation, staking, tying, strimmer-guarding and mulching shall also be included in the scheme. All planting comprised in the approved details shall be carried out within the next planting season following the commencement of any aspect of the development hereby approved; and if any trees or shrubs which within a period of ten years from the completion of the development die, are removed or in the opinion of the Council, become seriously damaged or diseased, they shall be replaced by the landowner in the next planting season with trees/shrubs of the same approved specification, in the same location; unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

            Reason: To ensure the planting of new trees and shrubs in accordance with the Council's statutory duties relating to The Town & Country Planning Act, 1990 (as amended)[1] and the following policies of The South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028); EQ2: General Development, EQ4: Bio-Diversity & EQ5: Green Infrastructure.

(voting: unanimous)