Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation showed the site and proposed plans.  She explained to members that this application is an amended re-submission of the previous application which was refused at committee in June of this year.

She explained the previous application proposed a smaller sized gap in the front boundary wall, however this application seeks to remove an additional 1 metre width of the natural stone wall to allow easier parking of a vehicle.  She advised members that although this would perhaps alleviate the parking issue for this property it is considered that it is detrimental both to the character and appearance of the conservation area and to highway safety, therefore her recommendation was for refusal of the application.

Councillor Gina Seaton, Ward member voiced her support of the application.  She said she had spoken with the residents of the property who would ensure the back retaining wall would be faced with hamstone.  She said the area was extremely busy with road traffic and that public safety was paramount and it was safer to keep vehicles off the road where at all possible.

Councillor Cathy Bakewell, Ward member also voiced her support of the application.  She referred to the previous debate and considered this application to be acceptable as long as the retaining wall be faced with hamstone.  She appreciated the Conservation officer’s comments but felt it was the sensible way forward and needed to get vehicles off the road.

During members’ discussion several points were raised including the following:

·         Appreciated the traffic problems in the area and that public safety is paramount.

·         Appreciated the need to protect the conservation area and agreed the retaining wall be faced in natural stone.

In response the Area Lead Officer North/East sought clarification on the reason for approval including conditions to include:

·         Agreement of stone samples

·         Completion of works by 31^st Dec 2014

·         Requirement to remove wall before using as parking bay

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved, contrary to the officer’s recommendation for the following reasons as read out by the Area Lead Officer North/ East:

‘The proposal to remove part of the boundary wall to allow the creation of an off-road parking space would not have severe impact on highways safety.  The benefits would outweigh any visual impact and the character and appearance of the conservation area would be maintained’.

On being put to the vote this was carried by 11 votes in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:

Grant permission for the following reasons:

The proposal to remove part of the boundary wall to allow the creation of an off road parking space would not have severe impact on highways safety. The benefits would outweigh any visual impact and the character and appearance of the conservation area would be maintained. As such the proposal complies with saved policies EH1, ST5 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans (except where directed otherwise by the conditions below):

            Block plan, date-stamped 30/06/2014;

            Elevation, date-stamped 30/06/2014.

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

02.       Notwithstanding the time limits given to implement planning permission as prescribed by Sections 91 and 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), this permission (being granted under section 73A of the Act in respect of development already carried out) shall have effect from the 30 June 2014.

            Reason:  To comply with Section 73A of the Act.

03.       The approved, part-implemented development shall be fully completed in accordance with the approved plans by no later than 31 December 2014.

            Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the conservation area, in accordance with saved policy EH1 of the South Somerset Local Plan (adopted 2006).

04.       Within one (1) month of the date of this permission, particulars of the natural stone (including the provision of a sample panel) to be used to face the retaining wall shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the conservation area, in accordance with saved policy EH1 of the South Somerset Local Plan (adopted 2006).

05.       Before the approved parking space hereby permitted is first brought into use:

            - a properly consolidated and surfaced access shall be constructed (not loose stone or gravel) details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The access shall be constructed in accordance with the approved details and shall be maintained in the agreed form thereafter at all times;

            - provision shall be made within the site for the disposal of surface water so as to prevent its discharge onto any part of the highway, details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and shall thereafter be maintained at all times;

            - the additional section of wall has first been removed, in accordance with the approved plan.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety, in accordance with saved policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (adopted 2006).