Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th January 2022. The draft minutes can be viewed at: https://modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?bcr=1

The minutes of the Regulation Committee (Informal) meeting held on 18^th January 2022, copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Malcolm Cavill.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Proposal: Application for approval of reserved matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline consent refs: 13/03410/OUT and 13/03413/OUT for the erection of a warehouse (Use Class B8) with ancillary office, associated vehicle parking, van storage, plant, ancillary structures, lighting, landscaping, and infrastructure works.

The Planning Specialist presented the report and with the aid of slides gave a detailed presentation showing the site, proposed plans and proposed ingress and egress to the site.

He also highlighted the following:

·         To aid pedestrian and cycle movements the applicant has agreed with Leonardo UK Ltd to widen the shared footway/cycleway along the north of Bunford Lane.

·         Following request from West Coker Parish Council the applicant has agreed to amend the original application to now include the installation of PV Solar Panels.  

·         The applicant also acknowledges and will ensure that due to the close proximity of the airfield, appropriate provision of bird nesting prevention measures are included, a sensitive lighting scheme relating to air traffic safety and that the building heights do not exceed 15 metres.

He also highlighted the key considerations being:

·         Principle of development – with outline permissions previously granted and   time limits extended this is therefore considered acceptable.

·         Impact on Designated Heritage Asset (Bunford Railway Bridge) – considers public benefit outweighs the low level substantial harm to this asset. Also confirmed SW Heritage Trust has advised no archaeological implications to this proposal.

·         Impact on Landscape & Visual Amenity – a comprehensive landscape scheme has been submitted along with relevant lighting with conditions imposed to ensure airfield safety.

·         Highway Safety – proposed access arrangements will seek to avoid conflicts between HGVs and other vehicles along with the segregated cycle/footway which will promote sustainable transport.  No objections from the Highway Authority.

·         Flood Risk and Drainage – Majority of the site is within Flood Zone 1 and that no objections have been raised by the Environment Agency who consider the submitted CEMP acceptable.  The Lead Local Flood Authority have also raised no objections.

·         Airfield Safety and Biodiversity - Close liaison between the applicant, Leonardo, MOD and County Ecologist to ensure Biodiversity enhancement measures are in place along with an acceptable lighting scheme.  This includes the submission ‘up front’ of a Bird Hazard Management Plan and detailed landscape scheme to ensure airfield safety. 

·         Phosphates- Natural England and County Ecologist consider this proposal is unlikely to add significantly to nutrient loading on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.  No requirement for HRA, therefore application is acceptable in this regard.

·         Residential Amenity – No residential properties close to the site that would result in any adverse impact.

As an update the Planning Specialist advised that there would be no pond created as part of the overall landscaping scheme, contrary to what was stated in the officer report and that an updated Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan (BEMP) had been submitted to reflect this fact. The reason for this was to prevent birds being attracted to the site by such a water feature with the inherent dangers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee (Informal) will be held on Tuesday 15^th March 2022 at 10.00am. However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.

Members noted the date of the next meeting.