Agenda item

Cllr Capozzoli left the meeting at 1.00 pm

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report, with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and relevant photographs

The officer explained that local concern was directed at the parking issues but as the proposal was within a town centre location it would be very difficult to sustain an argument for refusal. The proposal was unlikely to be any more demanding on parking provision than other town centre uses, and to argue that the parking provision within Bruton as a whole was inadequate would be to effectively place a moratorium on economic development within the town centre of Bruton.  He confirmed that his recommendation was to approve the application.

Mr R Heavey, Mr J Clarke, Mrs D Whitelaw and Mr B Mills all spoke in objection to the application. Concern was mainly raised about parking issues and the proposed opening hours.

Mr M Brownlow, although a member of Bruton TC, gave his personal view as a supporter of the application.

Joint applicant Corinne Joseph explained that she was surprised when she had learnt that this application had to be considered by AEC as another similar application in the vicinity submitted after this application had since been given delegated approval.

Ward Member Cllr Anna Groskop was in a dilemma about this application as she had been at the forefront of encouraging businesses to Bruton for several years.  Parking had always been an issue in Bruton town centre but it would be difficult to refuse this application as any decision needed to be reasonable.

A member of the public stated that pictures shown of the internal drawings were incorrect.

During discussion it was accepted that there were parking problems in Bruton town centre and the situation should be reviewed, however a lot of small towns had the same problems. It was felt that the proposed opening hours should be amended, it was noted that this would be a not for profit art gallery.

A proposal was made and seconded to approve the application per the officer’s recommendation with an amendment to condition 03 to read:

The art gallery and retail elements of the use hereby permitted shall not operate outside the hours of 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays, except on up to 12 days per calendar year, when the opening hours can be extended to 9pm.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried by 4 votes in favour and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: That Planning Application 14/04342/FUL be approved as per the officers recommendation for the following reason:

The proposed use is considered to be acceptable in this location and, by reason of its size, scale and materials, respects the character of the conservation area, and causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity or the character and setting of the listed building in accordance with the aims and objectives of Policies EH1, EH3, EH5, ST6 and ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted April 2006) and the aims and provisions of the NPPF.

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: plans and elevations received 24 September 2014 as amended by e-mail from the applicant received 28th and 29th October 2014.

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

03.       The art gallery and retail elements of the use hereby permitted shall not be operated outside the hours of 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays, except on up to 12 days per calendar year, when the opening hours can be extended to 9pm.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The outdoor area to the rear and north of the property shall only be used for purposes ancillary to the residential use of the property and for no other purposes whatsoever, including for purposes ancillary to the use of the property as an art gallery.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       The art gallery and retail uses hereby permitted shall be limited to the rooms labelled Gallery - Front Room', 'Gallery Room 1', 'Gallery Room 2', 'Gallery Room 3', and the circulation space and ground floor WC as indicated on the submitted plans received 24 September 2014.

            Reason: To determine the scope of the permission and in the interests of residential amenity in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       The retail element of the use hereby permitted shall only be operated insofar as it is ancillary to the art gallery element of the use hereby permitted, and shall at no time be operated as a standalone retail use.

            Reason: To determine the scope of the permission and in the interests of residential amenity in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       No works shall be carried out to repoint the building unless the following details have been submitted and a sample panel provided on site for inspection and written approval of the Local Planning Authority:

            a)         Full details, including elevational drawings, to indicate the areas to be repointed. 

b)         Details of the method of removal of existing pointing. In this regard mechanical tools shall not be used, 

            c)         Details of the mortar mix, and

            d)         A sample panel of new pointing that shall be carried out in the agreed mortar.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and in accordance with policies EH1, EH3, EH5, ST5, and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08.       No work shall be carried out to fit the hanging sign to the front of the building unless details of the hanging sign bracket have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and in accordance with policies EH1, EH3, EH5, ST5, and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(Voting: 4 in favour:1 abstention)