Planning Committee 18 April 2012
Planning Committee 18 April 2012
Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 18 April 2012 at 6.00 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward: Councillor P S Christie (Chairman)
South Ward: Councillor R I Wootton
Councillor A.T Inch
East Ward: Councillor M C Langmead
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs Claire Scott (Assistant to the Town Clerk)
1 member of the public
111 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor D C Fulford (North Ward - Leave)
Councillor S G Inch (South Ward - Personal)
112 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Langmead declared that as both a Town and District Councillor he wanted to make it clear that he will reconsider the applications at District level, taking into account all the relevant evidence and representations at the District tier.
Councillor Christie declared a personal interest in item 2.b. on the agenda (Bridge Trust trustee).
Councillor Inch declared a personal interest in item 2.f. on the agenda (Member of C.A.B.).
113 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES
The member of the public spoke on agenda item 2.a. He highlighted the need to ensure an up to date survey of Wildlife and a European Protected Species Licence, as per Natural England’s Regulations as there is a Badger set close to the site.
115 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a. Application No 1/0233/2012/EXTM: Extension of time of planning permission 1/0327/2008/FUL for the erection of 12 new dwellings with parking. Cleave Wood Mines Road, East the Water, Bideford EX39 2BU. Applicant: Dorset Country Homes, The Laurels, Thornicombe, Blandford Forum
DT11 9AF. Agent: Bell Cornwell LLP (Date received: 22 Mar 12)
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved but the Council would query whether an up to date wildlife survey is required particularly in the knowledge of the fact that there is a badger set close to the site.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
b. Application No 1/0196/2012/ADV: Fascia sign, wall sign and two hanging signs. Merchant Court, 7 Bridgeland Street, Bideford EX39 2PZ. Applicant: Croft and Co IFA, 14 Clarence Court, Barnstaple Street, Bideford EX39 4AE. Agent: None recorded. (Date received: 22 Mar 12)
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
c.Application No 1/0238/2012/OUT: Erection of two detached houses. Ford Farm, New Road, Bideford EX39 5JG. Applicant: Ms H and M Thompson (same address). Agent: A W Hodder. (Date received: 23 Mar 12)
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is refused on the basis of insufficient access, insufficient sewage capacity & the issue of overlooking that we believe exists.
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0 Abstention: 1)
d.Application No 1/0217/2012/LBC: Remove wooden picket fence and gate from boundary fronting Tower Street, replace with galvanised iron railings and gate. 11 Tower Street, Bideford EX39 2BT. Applicant: Mr R Evans (same address) Agent: None recorded. (Date received: 30 Mar 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
e.Application No 1/0207/2012/FUL: Proposed conversion of store to form one dwelling and associated works. Upper Westcombe Store, Westcombe Lane, Bideford EX39 3JQ. Applicant: Mr J Palmer, 49 Russell Road, West Wittering, Near Chichester PO20 8EF.Agent: None recorded. (Date received: 04 Apr 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
f. Application No 1/0285/2012/FUL: Re-use of rear ground floor for offices, change of use of first floor flat to offices and rear external demolition and alterations. 13 Bridgeland Street Bideford EX39 2PZ. Applicant: Torridge, N Devon, Mid Devon and Bude CAB, 28A Bridgeland Street Bideford EX39 2QE Agent: Philip Hinton. (Date received: 12 Apr 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
g. Application No 1/0286/2012/LBC: Re-use of rear ground floor for offices, change of use of first floor flat to offices and rear external demolition and alterations. 13 Bridgeland Street Bideford EX39 2PZ. Applicant: Torridge, N Devon, Mid Devon and Bude CAB, 28A Bridgeland Street Bideford EX39 2QE Agent: Philip Hinton (Date received: 12 Apr 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
h. Application No 1/0257/2012/FUL: Erection of eight dwellings and access road. Land off Belvoir Road, Bideford. Applicant: The Methodist Independent Schools Trust And Kingsley School, Northdown Road, Bideford EX39 3LY. Agent: Mr Bob Hull- Cluttons LLP (Date received 12 Apr 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is refused.
The Planning Committee are extremely worried that the trees on to Belvoir Hill (which have TPOs) will act as a screen for any vehicular traffic entering or leaving the site, making access hazardous.
The close proximity of the properties to the Westcombe tunnel and a concern that construction may disturb what is a vital piece of drainage engineering.
The Committee query the roofline of the development which is appreciably higher than the existing houses.
The Committee question the loss of wildlife habitat in this relatively central wetland site.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
i. Application No 1/0258/2012/FUL: Construction of new All Weather Pitch (AWP), fencing and lighting. Kingsley School, Northdown Road, Bideford EX39 3LY. Applicant: The Methodist Independent Schools Trust and Kingsley School (same address). Agent: Mr Bob Hull-Cluttons LLP. Date received (13 Apr 2012)
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
116 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS BY PLANNING AUTHORITIES
The Committee noted the content of those Planning Applications which had been granted 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 7pm.
Signature of Town Mayor: ………………………………. Date: …………………............
Signature of Chairman: …………………………………. Date: ……………………………