Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dave Bulmer, Sue Osborne, Anthony Vaughan and Martin Wale.

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 Jason Baker and Sue Osborne.

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.

Councillors Val Keitch, Jenny Kenton and Garry Shortland all declared a personal interest in planning applications 19/01630/FUL and 19/01631/LBC - Land North of Boden Mill, Boden Street, Chard, as members of the Chard Regeneration Board.

Councillor Dave Bulmer, who was not at the meeting, had requested that it be noted his non-attendance was due to a personal and prejudicial interest he would have declared in the planning applications 19/01630/FUL and 19/01631/LBC - Land North of Boden Mill, Boden Street, Chard, as he lived adjacent and facing the application site.   

Councillor Linda Vijeh advised that she would also attend the following Regulation Committee meeting as a substitute for Councillor Colin Winder who was unable to attend.

This is a chance to ask questions, make comments and raise matters of concern.

Parish/Town Councils may also wish to use this opportunity to ask for the District Council’s support on any matter of particular concern to their Parish/Town.

Anyone wishing to raise matters in relation to items on the agenda may do so at the time the item is considered.

The Committee were addressed by 5 local residents regarding planning applications: 19/01630/FUL and 19/01631/LBC - Land North of Boden Mill, Boden Street, Chard.  Their comments included:

·         Looking forward to seeing the regeneration of the area and removal of the old buildings.

·         If the plans are confirmed, is the funding in place to build the leisure centre or is Chard competing for the funding with other towns? 

·         A Motion will be put to Chard Town Council to recognise John Farrant in the swimming pool element of the scheme.

·         Would it be possible to incorporate a Changing Places toilet into the plans?

·         The value to Chard in having a Changing Places toilet will outstrip the cost and would increase the number of people visiting the town.

·         A ramp access to the pool would retain the dignity for those who would otherwise have to use a hoist to enter the pool.

·         Hydrotherapy jets in the pool would promote health and well-being.

·         The small pool could be designed for mixed use with a movable floor.

The Chairman advised that the Area West Committee would not make a final decision on the planning application: 19/01630/FUL and 19/01631/LBC - Land North of Boden Mill, Boden Street, Chard, however, members of the Regulation Committee were in attendance and that committee would be convened at the conclusion of the Area West Committee meeting.

Erection of a leisure centre (D2 use class) and associated works, conversion and extension of a building to a library (D1 use class) and demolition of (and remedial works to) some existing curtilage listed buildings.

The Chief Executive reminded members of the objectives of the Chard Regeneration Scheme being:-

·         To provide a compelling reason to visit and use Chard Town Centre

·         To bring Key Sites back into economic and community use

·         To stimulate physical regeneration and improve the vitality of the town centre

·         To increase footfall within the town and support existing businesses

·         To improve the leisure and health offer in Chard

·         To reinvigorate and bolster the role of Chard as a Market Town and economic centre by supporting business growth and strengthening links with the hinterland and wider economy

He said that historically a number of schemes had been proposed and failed for the area and so in 2016, the Council had decided to act as developer for the new scheme. Community engagement and consultation had taken place resulting in the proposed phase 1 to re-develop the mills and ACI site to a leisure centre.  He said its central position should contribute towards the regeneration of the town centre and he outlined the buildings to be demolished and those to be retained.  The proposal also included the restoration of an existing building for the library, a taster of the town’s Museum and interview and meeting rooms.  The proposal would enhance the public realm and make it an attractive place to visit.  He confirmed that the budget had been agreed and work was ongoing to cover the funding in partnership with SCC, Homes England and a number of other organisations.  It was hoped to commence some demolition in October and construction to start in January 2020.

In response to questions, the Chief Executive confirmed that:-

·         Somerset County Council were part of the Chard Regeneration Board and were open to moving the library to the new site.

·         It was hoped that the leisure centre would be open by the summer of 2021.

The Specialist (Development Management) introduced the planning application relating to the erection of a leisure centre, conversion and extension of a building to a library and demolition of some existing listed buildings.  He said that since writing his report, the Highway Authority had confirmed that they had no objections to the proposals, subject to conditions.  No update had been received from the Environment Agency but he would include any proposals made by them in any conditions of approval.  A letter of comfort had been received from the Development Manager to provide assurances that Phase 2 did take place following demolition of Building 1 to meet the requirements of the NPPF. 

The Specialist (Development Management) then presented the application with the aid of a power point presentation showing the various buildings to be retained or demolished and the proposed redevelopment of the site.  He noted that Historic England raised concerns about the loss of Building 1 and the Boiler House.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 200.

Erection of a leisure centre (D2 use class) and associated works, conversion and extension of a building to a library (D1 use class) and demolition of (and remedial works to) some existing curtilage listed buildings.

This application was presented and considered with the concurrent full application which was the previous report on the agenda for 19/01630/FUL - Land North of Boden Mill, Boden Street, Chard.

At the conclusion of the debate, the proposal to grant permission was carried by 9 votes in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.

Councillors are requested to note that the next Area West Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 18^th September 2019 at The Guildhall, Chard commencing at 5.30pm.

It was noted that the next Area West Committee meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 18^th September 2019 at The Guildhall, Chard commencing at 5.30pm.