Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 July 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adam Dance and Jo Roundell Greene.

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 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 Dean Ruddle declared a personal interest regarding planning application 15/03585/OUT as a member of Somerton Town Council, and a prejudicial interest as his home was close to the site.

Councillor Derek Yeomans declared a personal and prejudicial interest regarding planning application15/05090/FUL as he part-owned a property close to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area North Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 September at the Village Hall, Norton Sub Hamdon.

Members noted the next meeting of Area North Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 September, at the village hall in Norton Sub Hamdon.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The Chairman informed members that the Area Regeneration Board were looking at some land in Langport with planning permission, for use as employment land.

She also noted that Area North now had an official Twitter feed and she encouraged members to provide any suitable info or ward news to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Councillor Derek Yeomans noted he had recently been on an interesting and useful tour arranged by the Somerset Rivers Authority, which included a visit to Bere Wall to see the major works being undertaken.

Councillor Neil Bloomfield commented on a recent planning appeal decision which dismissed residential development on land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

The Area Development Lead noted there would be an additional report in September, for a grant regarding Long Load Village Hall.

The Chairman also noted that several members had expressed a wish for a Highways Officer to attend the meeting and it was hoped this would be arranged for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

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.

(Councillor Dean Ruddle, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the room for the presentation and consideration of this planning application.)

Proposal: Outline application for the construction of up to 59 dwellings with a new vehicular access from Cartway Lane, associated car parking and open space including the provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Proposal: Proposed two storey side extension, erection of front porch, replacement roof and internal alterations.

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and explained the key considerations. She noted the officer recommendation for refusal was mainly due the fenestration detailing on the west elevation. She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

(Councillors Shane Pledger and Derek Yeomans, having both declared personal and prejudicial interests, left the room for the presentation and consideration of this application.)

Proposal: Change of use of agricultural storage barns to domestic storage and workshop for Long Sutton House. Change of use of barn to holiday/ancillary cottage. Change  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.