Agenda item

The Area Lead East presented the report as detailed in full in the agenda.  He confirmed that the officer’s recommendation was to approve the application for a change of use.

The chairman advised members that this application was to consider the change of use only.

Cllr Tim Carroll addressed the committee on behalf of the Board of Trustees to the Balsam Centre who currently run a well organised children’s nursery. The demand for children’s nursery places would rise in the area, there was already a waiting list and this proposal would be to run a wrap-around nursery all year round for children aged from 0 years to 4years.

Ward Members Cllr Colin Winder and Nick Colbert had no objection in principle to the application.

The Planning Officer confirmed that any other future use would have to be considered by AEC members.

A short discussion ensued regarding the costing of the alterations to the building and the apparent under estimation of the costs to install additional toilets. Both Ward Members were annoyed as they felt that they had not been included in discussions, they also wanted to have more information about the use of Churchfield as a whole.

The Neighbourhood Development Officer advised the meeting that there would be an opportunity to share all the available information with ward members at a later date but this application was to enable a preferred end user to come to an agreement.  A full report would be presented to AEC members regarding Churchfield later in the year.

The chairman again advised members that this application was to consider the change of use only. 

A proposal was made and seconded to approve the application as per the officers recommendation. On being put to the vote the motion was carried by 6 votes in favour and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: That Planning Application 15/00084/COUbe approved for the following reason:

01.       The proposed use is considered to be acceptable in this location, and causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity or highway safety in accordance policies EH1, ST5 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan, emerging local plan policies SD1, SS1, TA5, TA6, and EQ2, and the aims and objectives 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: 1289-60 received 22 December 2014 and 1289-61 received 06 January 2015

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

03.       The area marked in pink on the submitted floor plan, 1289-60 received 22 December 2014, shall be used as children's day nursery and for no other purpose (including any other purpose in Class D1 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan.

04.       Any hard surfaces provided within the outside area, to be used in conjunction with the use hereby permitted, should be padded with a soft material in accordance with details that shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To dampen noise from play activities in the interests of residential amenity and in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan.

05.       The children's day nursery use hereby permitted shall not be operated outside the hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and not at all on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and in accordance with policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan.

Informatives:

01.       The applicant's attention is drawn to the comments of the SSDC Environmental Protection Unit who have recommended that the operator of the nursery should maintain, implement and adapt as required a noise management plan.

(Voting: 6 votes in favour; 1 abstention)