Planning Committee 18 July 2012
Planning Committee 18 July 2012
Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on
Wednesday 18 July 2012 at 6.00 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward: Councillor Mrs Brenton
Councillor P S Christie (Chairman)
South Ward: Councillor P Pester
East Ward: Councillor M C Langmead
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs Claire Scott (Assistant to the Town Clerk)
3 x Members of the public
Councillor Tony Inch
017 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor R I Wootton (South Ward – personal).
018 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Langmead declared that as both a Town and District Councillor that he will reconsider the applications at District level, taking into account all relevant evidence.
019 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
A member of the public spoke on item 6. of the agenda, concerned at the proposed 950 houses and commercial units. He emphasised it was an opportunity for councillors to consider if all matters were covered and to voice concerns in particular the sewage capacity, demand for drinking water and the flood run off towards Kenwith Valley Dam.
020 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 June 2012 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
021 CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR ACTION REGARDING ANGEL INN
After a detailed discussion the Committee decided that a letter should be written.
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That a letter be drafted to the Head of Planning at Torridge District Council that the dilapidation of the Angle Inn, Market Square has been brought to the Town Council’s attention and that the Planning Committee feels it comes under section 79(1)(a), 79(1)(b) and 79(2)(b) of the 1984 Buildings Act. That if 79(1)(b) was used, that any historic architectural features be re-used and that the façade be maintained to preserve the original street scene.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
022 1/0002/2012/SCO SCOPING OPINION
The Committee considered the Assessment and raised the following concerns:
• Landscape and Visual: that such a large development in such a natural setting would be extremely visually intrusive and would remove the green buffer zone between the parishes of Abbotsham and Bideford. The topography of the area would be covered by excessively prominent development.
• Biodiversity: that the plantations are kept to break up the houses in the development.
• Soils and Agricultural: that the loss of such a large area of agricultural land be questioned.
• Water Resources: queried if sustainable drainage can be achieved on such a large site and that this development will put a dangerous strain on the Ken with Dam.
• From paragraph 4.65 there is uncertainty over the capacity for Cornborough to cope with such a large development and expect this issue to be resolved before planning permission is granted.
• Paragraph 4.66 appears to be ludicrous.
• Human Beings: that the existing infrastructure would not support this site and a detailed plan of how these demands will be met will be needed.
• Economy: the assessment in the report is seriously lacking in concrete proposals for employment, details of the extension to the existing industrial estate are very vague, more details will be needed.
• Transportation: the suggested access is inadequate and substantial upgrading of Clovelly Road and Abbotsham Road will be required.
• Noise: existing noise levels adjacent to the trunk road is minimised by the existing woodland areas. Development on this scale is bound to exacerbate this problem. The conjunction of housing and industry in such close proximity would give potential for complaints about noise and light pollution.
• Air Quality: any air pollution generated from this site, given the position of the estate, will affect the whole town.
• Generally the summary overview does not wholly relate to Bideford but somewhere in Wales.
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That a letter be sent to Torridge District Council outlining the concerns expressed by the Committee.
(Vote - For: 4, Against: 0)
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a.Application No 1/0556/2012/REM: Approval of reserved matters following approval 1/0445/2009 for the erection of two detached bungalows and garages. Eastridge Westview Avenue, Bideford EX39 4AL. – Applicant: Mr R Parsons (same address). Agent: A W Hodder. (Date received: 28 June 12)
Proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
b.Application No 1/0439/2012/LBC: Work to separate No.4 Bridge Street from 1,2 & 3 Bridge Street Bideford EX39 2BU – Applicant: Mr Robert Prouse Keene, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5BA. Agent:. Mr. Howard Woolfenden (Date received: 10 July 12)
Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved but, that although the Town Council understands the reasons for the alterations, that concrete blocks are not appropriate in a Grade II listed building.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
c.Application No 1/0485/2012/FUL: Work to separate No.4 Bridge Street from 1,2 & 3 Bridge Street Bideford EX39 2BU – Applicant: Mr Robert Prouse Keene, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5BA. Agent:. Mr. Howard Woolfenden (Date received: 10 July 12)
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application is approved but, that although the Town Council understands the reasons for the alterations, that concrete blocks are not appropriate in a Grade II listed building.
(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)
024 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 19.24pm.
Signature of Town Mayor: ………………………………. Date: …………………............
Signature of Chairman: …………………………………. Date: ………………………