Agenda item

The Planning 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 updated members that further comments had been received from the Ecologist and Sport England.

He further explained that Sport England had referred to the Assessment required under Paragraph 74 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the re-consultation in relation to the additional parking proposal on the tennis court area.   He explained that the consultation period runs until 9^th December 2016 and confirmed that on this basis his recommendation should be amended to read as follows:

‘Grant planning permission subject to no new material and relevant objections (in the opinion of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Area South Committee as advised by officers) being made by 9^th December 2016 and the decision notices being issued on 12th December 2016’.

The Planning Officer also informed members that:

·         No objections had been received from members of the public; however as SSDC are the applicants the application is required to be brought to committee for determination as any comments automatically result in a referral to committee and was brought to minimise any delays.

·         Should members feel it necessary, a condition could be imposed to include details of a landscaping scheme to help enhance the landscaping arrangement of the site.

·         Referred to the Paragraph 74 Assessment under the NPPF and that the tennis courts are considered to be surplus to requirements when considering the wider Yeovil area and their use as a car park can be justified.

The Planning Officer then referred to the key considerations including:

·         Loss of tennis courts

·         Visual impacts of proposal

·         Residential amenity

·         Amount of parking on site and impact upon neighbouring residential streets.

He concluded that the recommendation was to approve the application for reasons as set out in his report.

In response to members’ questions, the Development Manager explained that evidence had been provided and the loss of the tennis courts had been justified by the Sports and Leisure Team and therefore this was not a planning consideration.

Following a short discussion member’s voiced their support for a landscape condition to be included to ensure additional landscaping of the site.  It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officers recommendation as previously read out by the Planning Officer and subject to the addition of a landscaping condition.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED:

Grant planning permission subject to no new material and relevant objections (in the opinion of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Area South Committee as advised by officers) being made by 9^th December 2016 and the decision notices being issued on 12th December 2016, for the following reason:

01.       The site is an existing sports and social club which the Council has acquired on a 30 year lease to avoid the facility from closing. The upgrading of the facilities for community use is supported and subject to conditions the proposals do not have an adverse impact upon visual or residential amenity. The proposals are therefore considered to comply with Policies SD1, SS1, TA1, TA3, TA5, TA6, EQ2, EQ4 and EQ5 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028) 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: Roberts Limbrick drawings 8213/L(0)EX01B, 8213/L(0)001L, 8213/L(0)002D, 8213/L(0)003E, 8213/A(0)005E and 8213/A(3)013C received 19 October 2016 and amended drawing 1350-01 received 17 November 2016.

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

03.       The materials to be used in the development hereby permitted shall be those as identified within the planning application and no other materials unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

            Reason:  In the interests of visual amenity and to comply with Policy EQ2 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028).

04.       Prior to the buildings uses on the site a Parking Management Plan shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The parking on site shall be managed in accordance with the approved plan.

             Reason: In the interests of managing parking on site in the interests of highway safety and residential amenity in accordance with policies EQ2 and TA5 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028).

05.       Prior to the buildings uses on the site details of any proposed external lighting shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details and thereafter retained.

            Reason: In the interests of residential amenity in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028).

06.       Prior to any works to the hardstanding on the Southern side of the brook, details of a scheme of tree protection measures, including tree protection fencing and signage; shall be prepared, installed and made ready for inspection.  The locations and suitability of the tree protection measures shall be inspected by the Tree Officer and confirmed in-writing by the Council to be satisfactory prior to commencement of the development.  The approved tree protection requirements shall be implemented in their entirety for the duration of the construction of the development and the protective fencing 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 Policies EQ2, EQ4 and EQ5   of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan 2006 - 2028.

07.       (i) Prior to the buildings use on the site a landscaping scheme which shall include details of the location, species, size and numbers to be planted, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

(ii) The scheme shall be completely carried out within the first available planting season from the date of commencement of the development, or as otherwise extended with the agreement in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

(iii)  For a period of five years after the completion of the planting scheme, the trees and shrubs shall be protected and maintained and any trees or shrubs that cease to grow shall be replaced by trees or shrubs of similar size and species, or the appropriate trees or shrubs as may be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To enhance the biodiversity and green infrastructure on the site and enhancement of the local character and distinctiveness of the area in accordance with Policies EQ4 and EQ5 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006 - 2028).

Informatives:

01.       In relation to condition 06 you are advised to contact the Council's Tree Officer (Phillip Poulton 01935 462670) to arrange a pre-commencement site meeting between the appointed building/groundwork contractors and the Council's Tree Officer, in order to ensure compliance with the submitted scheme of tree protection fencing and other tree protection measures.

02.       You are reminded of the comments of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in their letter of 8 November 2016 whereby they advise that to consider the security value of the door sets in order to maintain burglary resistance. Details of suitable security doors may be sourced from the 'Secure by Design' website

03.       You are reminded of the comments of Wessex Water in their email of 1 November 2016 regarding the safeguarding of their equipment. A copy of their letter is available on the Council's website.

(voting: unanimous)