Agenda item

Planning Application 16/00933/FUL - Brunel Shopping Precinct, West Street, Somerton.

Minutes:

(Councillor Dean Ruddle having declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest remained absent from the room for the presentation and consideration of this application).

Proposal: Erection of a new retail unit (Revised Scheme).

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda report and briefly explained why a revised scheme had come forward.

Ms J Fryer, agent, noted that in order to comply with Building Regulations the external staircase was no longer required, and so the design of the proposal had been revised slightly. They had also taken the opportunity to encompass small changes in design to take into account comments raised when the previous proposal was approved.

Ward member, Councillor Stephen page, noted he hadn’t supported the proposal last time for various reasons, but acknowledged some improvements had been made.

There being no other debate, it was proposed that the application be approved. On being put to the vote, this was carried (10 in favour, 1 against).

RESOLVED:

That planning application 16/00933/FUL be APPROVED, as per the officer recommendation, subject to:

Justification:

01. The proposal, by reason of its scale, design and materials, respects the character and appearance of the setting, and causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity. The addition of this small single unit of retail accommodation would enhance the vitality of the existing shopping centre and the town centre, and cause no harm to highway safety. In these respects, the proposal accords with the aims of the NPPF and Policies SD1, EQ2, EQ3, TA5 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

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: the drawings ref. DRSO-GA numbers 001, 201B and 202B.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03. No development hereby permitted shall be commenced unless particulars of the following have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

a) details of the materials (including the provision of samples where appropriate) to be used for external walls, including design details of timber cladding;

b) full design details and material and external finish to be used for all windows and external doors;

c) details (including dimensions and materials) of the sign boards shown on the submitted elevation drawing ref. DRSO-GA202B;

d) details of rainwater goods.

Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area and to accord with the NPPF and Policies EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04. The subject land including any building thereon shall be used for retail (A1) use and for no other purpose (including any other purpose in any use class of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

Reason: To safeguard the vitality of the shopping area and the character of the setting, in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policies SD1, EQ2 and EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Informatives:

01. The applicant's attention is drawn to the comments and recommendations of the Police Liaison Officer in his letter dated 15 march 2016, which can be seen on the application file on the Council's website.

02. The applicant's attention is drawn to the possible need to apply for separate advertisement consent for the signage attached to the proposed building. Details to be submitted prior to commencement will enable final checking as to whether these signs would have deemed consent, or need consent under the The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

(Voting: 10 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions)

Supporting documents: