Agenda item

This application was presented and discussed in conjunction with the following Item 23 - application 15/04709/LBC.

The Area Lead Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showed the site and proposed plans.  He noted the concerns raised by the highway authority, the main concern being improvements required to the main access to increase visibility when entering and exiting the site onto Newton Road.

He explained the proposal was retrospective in that physical works to the building have already been undertaken to facilitate the change of use and that an application seeking listed building consent for the works to the double doors was running in parallel to this application.

In conclusion the Area Lead Officer felt the proposal would provide an asset to the town providing an excellent facility while maintaining the viability and conservation of the Newton estate.  He believed the proposed number of events and hours of use acceptable and with the agreement of an improved visibility splay his recommendation was to approve the application as set out in his agenda report.

Robin Cannon the applicant addressed the committee. He acknowledged the concerns regarding the visibility splay and confirmed that he had already started to remove fencing and hedging in order to improve the access of the site.  He gave assurance that he would work with SSDC officer’s to ensure a safe and improved access to the site.

During discussion members acknowledged the applicant’s desire to provide an excellent leisure facility in order to help maintain the viability and preservation of Newton House but were concerned regarding the safety of vehicles accessing and exiting the site onto Newton Road.

The Area Lead Officer with support from the Development Manager acknowledged the concerns of the members but confirmed that the SSDC Highway consultant considered the proposal acceptable and therefore along with conditions imposed to improve the visibility splay of the access onto Newton Road considered it to be an acceptable proposal.

Following a further short debate members noted the support of Barwick Parish Council and congratulated the applicant’s on the work already undertaken to restore Newton House.  It was then proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the officers recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED:

That application 15/04703/COU be approved subject to the following:

Grant permission for the following reason:

01.       The proposal maintains the character of the area, facilitates economic investment and the creation of a quality event venue, safeguards heritage assets whilst ensuring highway safety and is therefore in             accordance with the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework; and policies SD1, SS1, EQ2, EQ3, EQ7, TA5, TA6 and EP11 of the South Somerset Local Plan (adopted 2015).

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       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 1st April 2015.

            Reason: To comply with Section 73A of the Act

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents:

            a)         Location Plan, Drawing Ref SK 01

            b)         Site Plan, Drawing Ref SK 02

            c)         Site Section, Drawing Ref SK 03

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

03.       The use hereby permitted shall not take place outside the hours of 12:00 to 23:00 daily. There shall be no more than 52 events held within any calendar year. In the year 2016 this shall be no more than 30 events. The building shall not accommodate more than 60 covers.

            Reason: To safeguard local amenity, to maintain the character of the area and to create a level of traffic movements that ensures reasonable use of a substandard access, to accord with policies EQ2, EQ3, EQ7 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The 31 car parking spaces shown on drawing ref SK01 shall be retained in the positions shown so long as the use persists. Reason: To ensure parking is available on site and located in areas that safeguards the setting of the listed building to accord with the SCC Parking Strategy and policies EQ3 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       A scheme for the improvement to vehicular visibility from the access onto newton Road shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The agreed scheme shall be fully implemented prior to the first event held via the use hereby permitted.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Informatives:

01.       This approval includes no approval for advertisement signage. The applicant is advised to contact the LPA for advice regarding this.

(voting: unanimous)