Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 December 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul.

In accordance with the Council’s current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), 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.  A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2112 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. 

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.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15^th May 2014, 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.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs  2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

Planning Applications Referred to the Regulation Committee

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

Councillors Clare Aparicio Paul, Shane Pledger, Dean Ruddle and Sylvia Seal.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, in accordance with the Council’s Code of Practice on Planning, 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.

Councillor Shane Pledger, as the applicant for planning application 15/05132/FUL, declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI).

Councillor Dean Ruddle, declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) in planning application 15/05004/FUL, as his company was the applicant.

Councillor Crispin Raikes declared a personal interest in planning applications 15/05407/FUL and 15/05408/LBC as he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 24 February 2016, at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

Mr J Allen, addressed members to provide feedback following the granting of planning permission last year for a commercial building at Badgers Cross near Somerton. He explained that he ran a construction training company at the site and worked with a number of local colleges to offer training for students  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

The Chairman made no announcements.

There were no reports from members.

The Area Development Manager (North) presented the report, and reminded members that concerns had been raised about the condition of the Bell Hotel in Curry Rivel when a confidential report on Buildings at Risk in Area North had been considered at the Area North Committee meeting in November.

She provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 137.

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report as detailed in the agenda and provided an informative presentation indicating key elements and statistics for each part of the service including:

·         Food safety -

·         Health and Safety

·         Environmental Protection, including new anti-social behaviour legislation

·         Environmental Enforcement,

·         Pest Control

·         Housing Standards

At the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.

The Area Development Manager (North) updated members that the Licensing Service report would now be made to the meeting in April or May.

Members noted the report that detailed recent planning appeals which had been lodged, dismissed or allowed.

Members noted the schedule of planning applications to be determined at the meeting.

Proposal: Application for change of use of land to provide 2 additional Traveller pitches comprising 2 No mobile homes; 2 No Touring Caravans and associated hardstanding.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He updated members with regard to the relevant policy in the Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.

(Councillor Dean Ruddle, having earlier declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, left the room for the presentation and consideration of this application.)

Proposal: Erection of a new retail unit (between Williams supermarket and Lancaster House).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and updated members that two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

Proposal: Application to modify a Section 106 Agreement dated 20 May 2014 relating to housing development.

The Area Lead presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He provided members with a brief overview of the planning history at the site and the events leading to the current situation with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

Proposal: Demolition of outbuilding, alterations to existing vehicular access and the erection of a new dwellinghouse (revised application).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda, and noted that Historic England and Conservation officers raised no objections regarding the impact upon the listed building. She updated members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

Proposal: Demolition of outbuilding and alterations to existing vehicular access.

This application was presented and discussed in conjunction with the previous application, 15/05407/FUL, and comments made on that application also refer to this application.

There was no discussion, and having approved the previous application, members were content to grant listed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

Proposal: Change of use of land for the creation of two additional gypsy pitches for occupation by family members of the applicant.

The Area Lead (West) presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He reminded members that the application had been deferred at the December meeting due to concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

(Councillor Shane Pledger, having earlier declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, left the room for the presentation and consideration of this application. Councillor Dean Ruddle took the role of Chairman.)

Proposal: The conversion of outbuilding into a two bed annexe, the erection of a garage and proposed two storey rear extension  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.