Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday, 12^th February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of the Area East Committee held on 12^th February 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Colbert, Charlie Hull, Michael Lewis, Paul Rowsell and Lucy Trimnell.

In accordance with the Council’s current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also “prejudicial”) in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. 

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  Where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council. 

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council’s Regulation Committee:

Councillors Henry Hobhouse, Paul Rowsell and William Wallace.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, Members of the Regulation Committee can participate and vote on these items at the Area Committee and at Regulation Committee.  In these cases the Council’s decision-making process is not complete until the application is determined by the Regulation Committee.  Members of the Regulation Committee retain an open mind and will not finalise their position until the Regulation Committee.  They will also consider the matter at Regulation Committee as Members of that Committee and not as representatives of the Area Committee.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members of the Committee on any agenda item.

Members are asked to note that the next scheduled meeting of the committee will be at (venue to be confirmed in Wincanton) on Wednesday 8^th April 2020 at 9.00 am.

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 9^th April 2020 at 9.00am.  Venue to be confirmed.

There were no questions from members of the public present.

The Chairman asked Members if they would be willing to contribute towards providing fresh coffee at their Area Committee meetings.  Members were in agreement with the proposal.

Councillor Colin Winder reported that a water pipe at the entrance to the Vedlers Hey development site in Wincanton was creating a problem as there was constant running water which was now coming from the wall.  Although he had reported the problem to both the Highway Authority and Environmental Health, he remained concerned that there were problems with drainage at the site. 

It was agreed to contact the Building Control service to arrange to visit and inspect the area with Councillor Winder.

Councillor Hayward Burt asked if it was possible to be informed of the Parishes who had received trees during the Council’s Great Tree Giveaway?

Councillor Sarah Dyke said that 61 parishes had received 50 free tree whips and she would undertake to circulate to Members the list of parishes who had participated. 

The Chairman undertook to contact the local police inspector to request that police information circulated to Town and Parish Councils could also be circulated to Ward Members.

It was noted that there was currently a problem with rats in Castle Cary as nearby chicken huts had been cleared out.  This was in issue that would be dealt with locally.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Members were pleased to note the grant request by Brewham Village Hall Restoration Group towards the cost of new tables and chairs for the recently renovated Brewham Village Hall and voted unanimously in favour of awarding £3,511 towards the project.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Councillor Hayward Burt said it would be useful for Executive Portfolio Holders to provide regular updates on their specific service areas.  It was agreed to ask for an update on the Transformation Programme. 

Noted

Members noted the planning appeals which had been received, allowed or dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Noted

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications to be determined by the Committee.

Noted

The display of 1 No. internally illuminated and 1 No. non illuminated fascia signs, 1 No. internally illuminated pylon sign and 1 No. non illuminated bollard.

The Case Officer for Development Management introduced the report with the assistance of a power point presentation.  She advised that the recommendation was a split decision to approve signs 1 – 4 inclusive and refuse permission for sign 5. This was because the applicant had failed to provide an accurate site plan, and, because officers could not be sure of the position of the 6m totem at the entrance to the site, they were unsure whether it would impede visibility when exiting the site.  The applicant had been given 4 opportunities to provide the required site plan but had failed to engage with officers on the issue.  Therefore, the recommendation was split to approve signs 1 – 4 inclusive and refuse permission for sign 5.

There was no debate and the officers recommendation was proposed and seconded and on being put to the vote, was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be GRANTED for signs 1-4 (inclusive), and, Planning permission be REFUSED for sign 5 (6m entrance pylon), for the following reasons:-

01.     Signs 1-4 (inclusive) by virtue of the siting, design, number, materials, scale and type of illumination is in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area, causes no harm to residential amenity, does not prejudice public safety and is in accordance with the aims and objectives of policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

02.     There is insufficient information submitted with the application to assess whether or not the siting of the pylon sign, labelled as sign 5, would impact adversely upon the visibility splays.

Accordingly it is considered that the proposal is contrary paragraph 108 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies TA5 & TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and paragraphs 109 and 132 of the NPPF.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the fascia signs, wall signs and business bollard, labelled as signs 1-4, received on 4th November 2019.

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

02.       (a) All advertisements displayed and any land used for the display of advertisements shall be maintained in a clean and tidy condition to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (b) Any hoarding or similar structure or any sign, placard, board or device erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a safe condition to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (c) Where any advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the removal thereof shall be carried out to the reasonable satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

            (d) Before any advertisement is displayed on land in accordance with the consent now granted, the permission of the owner of that land, or of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.