Agenda item

Planning Application 15/05481/FUL - Units 1A to 3A Wessex Park, Bancombe Road Trading Estate, Somerton.

Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 23rd March 2016 2.00 pm (Item 181.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Erection of a fence and gate to form secure yard. Siting of new shipping container for additional business storage and letting.

The Planning Officer presented his report to the Committee with a power point presentation of plans and photographs of the site. He said the existing stone pillars at the entrance to the site would be removed, the proposed fencing matched that of a business immediately opposite, and, the parking was acceptable therefore he recommended approving the application.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr T Bown of Somerton Town Council and Mr T Canvin, the owner of the estate. Their comments included:-

· The proposal would restrict the parking and turning of vehicles visiting the existing business at the site.

· The proposal could impact upon vehicles turning into the Household Waste Recycling Centre opposite.

· The estate had been developed to ensure there would be no parking on the roadside.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr D Davis, the applicant. He said they were a small local business who wished to expand. There were shipping containers at other locations on the estate and the proposed new fencing and gates would improve visibility and protect the existing business premises.

The Ward Member, Councillor Stephen Page, said he had concern at the poor visibility and restricted parking on the site. He said that most of the units were occupied by high-tech businesses and the containers would be an unwelcome addition to the estate.

During discussion, the majority of Members felt the metal fencing was in keeping with other fencing on the estate, the parking and turning area was adequate and the position of the containers was acceptable. It was proposed that planning permission be granted and on being put to the vote, this was carried (voting: 8 in favour, 2 against, 0 abstentions).

RESOLVED:

That planning application 15/05481/FUL be APPROVED, as per the officer recommendation, subject to the following:

Justification

01. The proposal for the change of use and erection of a fence and gate, and the provision of 7 storage containers, is considered to be in an acceptable location and causes no demonstrable harm to local amenities or highways safety. As such the proposal complies with polices SD1, SS1, EQ2, TA5 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan, and the provisions of the NPPF.

Subject to the following conditions:

01. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans (except where directed otherwise by the conditions below):

Drawing Number: DD002, received 27 November 2015

Drawing Number: DD001 Rev B, received 08 January 2016

Photographs of Palisade Gates, and container, received 27 November 2015.

Reason: In the interests of proper planning and for the avoidance of doubt.

03. The permission hereby granted is for 7 storage containers to be positioned in the area shown on the approved plan: DD0001 Rev B only. The containers shall not be positioned elsewhere on site without prior express grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interests of highways safety, in accordance with policies TA5 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

04. Prior to the erection of the means of enclosure hereby permitted, a detailed plan showing the positions of the fence posts and the trees on site shall be submitted to and agreed in writing.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity, in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028)

05. Prior to the erection of the means of enclosure hereby permitted, the pillars at the access of the site shall be reduced to a height no greater than 0.9 metres and shall not be increased in height without prior express grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interests of highways safety, in accordance with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028).

(Voting: 8 in favour, 2 against, 0 abstentions)

Supporting documents: