Planning Committee 26 January 2011

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BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Wednesday 26 January 2011 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor P S Christie (Chairman)
Councillor Ms E L Farrington
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor T J Johns (Deputy Town Mayor)

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs P Davies

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Councillor S G Inch
Mrs M Bailey (GM Planning Services)
Mr G Blight (Chamber of Commerce)

071    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

072    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Christie declared a personal interest in agenda item 6.c. (Member, Torridge District Council).

073    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

074    MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.


075    PRESENTATION ON ATLANTIC VILLAGE PLANNING APPLICATION

a.    The Chairman welcomed Mrs Maria Bailey, GM Planning and Mr Graham Blight, Bideford Chamber of Commerce to the meeting.

b.    Mrs Bailey commenced by explaining the nature and location of the proposals being made in the planning application.  She explained that the existing Atlantis play park facility is not financially viable and will be removed to make way for the new units.  An indoor play facility will however be retained.  There will be approximately 8 new units of a relatively large size.  The area will not be fully enclosed, but rather covered by canopies.  The food area will not be increased.  Access to the site and car parks will be improved with the second car park being made more pedestrian friendly.  The developers, Wessex Projects are keen to involve local people in the development. They are looking at how they can mitigate the effect on the town centre and are making £500,000 available to this end.  They have involved the Chamber of Commerce and Mr Blight outlined some of the ideas they are considering to encourage people into the town centre. The developers are also talking with Petroc and Bideford College with a view to linking up with construction/retail courses.

c.    The Chairman invited members to submit questions.

d.    The questions and comments raised concerned the traffic movement along Clovelly Road, signage into town, a land train linking the town centre, the Pannier Market and Atlantic Village and 106 contributions.  Mrs Bailey was also asked how this development will specifically benefit the town and whether the Council can ask for labour and materials to be sourced locally.

e.    The Chairman then thanked Mrs Bailey and Mr Blight for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

076    PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a.     Application No 1/1053/2010/FULM:  Redevelopment of part of existing Atlantic Village Centre to provide additional retail facilities including additional car parking, new access and landscaping.  Change of use of agricultural land to ancillary car park at north western corner of site.  Atlantic Village, Bideford EX39 3DU. – Applicant:  Drake Bideford Ltd, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DS.  (Date received:  4 Jan 11)

Proposed by Councillor Fulford, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved on condition that a road crossing is implemented as part of the 106 agreement.  The sign at Atlantic Village should also be changed from “Bideford 2 miles”, to “Town Centre”.  The Council would also like to see part of the 106 money devoted to improving and maintaining the links between Bideford, the Pannier Market and Atlantic Village.  The Council is pleased to see renewable energy within the design.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)
b.    Application No 1/1076/2010/FUL:  Proposed compost enclosure/extension.  Value House Ltd, Clovelly Road Industrial Estate, Bideford EX39 3HN. – Applicant:  Value House Stores Ltd (same address).  (Date received:  5 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

c.    Application No 1/1100/2010/DEM:  Demolition of carpenters workshop to provide additional parking.  Carpenters Workshop, Westcombe Council Depot, Westcombe Lane, Bideford EX39 3JQ. – Applicant:  Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford EX39 1HQ.  (Date received:  6 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

d.    Application No 1/0014/2011/FUL:  Extension to dwelling.  5 Charles Avenue, Bideford EX39 2PH. – Applicant:  Mrs A Rabbich (same address).  (Date received:  11 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Fulford, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

e.    Application No 1/1117/2010/FUL:  Proposed change of use of Grade II listed shop to a single dwelling.  3A Buttgarden Street, Bideford EX39 2AU. – Applicant:  Ms J Lavington, 34 Meadow Park, Bideford EX39 3HD.  (Date received:  12 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the proposed change of use is approved but the Council notes that building works are proposed internally which are not covered by a change of use application.  

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

f.    Application No 1/1118/2010/LBC:  Proposed change of use of Grade II listed shop to a single dwelling.  3A Buttgarden Street, Bideford EX39 2AU. – Applicant:  Ms J Lavington, 34 Meadow Park, Bideford EX39 3HD.  (Date received:  12 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the proposed change of use is approved but the Council notes that building works are proposed internally which are not covered by a change of use application.  

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

g.    Application No 1/1090/2011/FUL:  Rebuilding of retaining wall.  Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Police Station, New Road, Bideford EX39 2BW. – Applicant:  Devon & Cornwall Police Estates, Estates Department, Hamilton Drive, Exeter EX2 7HQ.  (Date received:  13 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved and the Council would like to see the work carried out using local materials and local contractors.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

h.     Application No 1/0016/2011/FUL:  Two storey extension and porch extension.  30 Hamilton Close, Bideford EX39 3DS. – Applicant:  Mr A Davidson (same address).  (Date received:  14 Jan 10)

Proposed by Councillor Fulford, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5,  Against: 0)

075    PLANNING APPLICATIONS – NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS BY PLANNING AUTHORITIES

The Committee noted the content of those Planning Applications which had been granted/refused by Planning Authorities since the last meeting.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the Meeting concluded at 7.20 pm.




Signature of Town Mayor: ……………………………….     Date:……………………............




Signature of Chairman: ………………………………….    Date: ……………………………