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Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held via Zoom on Wednesday 18th November 2020

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby
Councillor P Christie (Chairman)
Councillor J Herron

South Ward:

Councillor Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence

West Ward:

Councillor D Ratcliff

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb - East Ward
Councillor C Hawkins - West Ward
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer - East Ward
Mr G Hutton - Development Director, Baker Estates
Mr T Biddle - Development Manager, Baker Estates
Mrs Lesley Dixon-Chatfield – Town Clerk’s Assistant
Mrs Claire Parsons – Administrative Assistant


001. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies.

002.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Mrs J Gubb – non pecuniary – the Baker Estates development is very close to her home.

003.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were in attendance.

004.     MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th March were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For::6, Against: 0)

005.     TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM BAKER ESTATES REGARDING APPLICATION 1/011/2016/OUTM

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from Baker Estates, Mr Tom Biddle and
Mr Graham Hutton.

Mr Hutton opened the presentation by thanking the Chairman and Councillors for
their time. He gave an introduction of Baker Estates and the ethos behind their
developments; that they build smaller developments using a sympathetic approach to
the locale and engaging with the existing community. He added that he would be
pleased to take questions during and after the presentation.

The Chairman noted to Councillors that they could ask about facts but could not
express an opinion as this would pre-judge the application, especially as some
members present also sat on Torridge District Council.

Mr Biddle screen shared the plans for the development and explained that the
previous application had not been from Baker Estates, who had only purchased the
site earlier this year.

Salient points from the presentation were:

• The development fits in with the Local Plan
• There are fewer dwellings being built in comparison to the original application and instead of flats/houses, these would be single-storey bungalows predominantly – very desirable as there is a shortage of bungalows being built
• The outline planning permission had been given to the previous owners and was inherited by Baker Estates
• Their next move is to submit a Reserved Matters application which will give details of the development
• Some trees and hedgerows had been removed as they were in poor health or had died, the site had been neglected for some time
• Supplementary planting would take place and ancient tree/s would be maintained
• Simple design bungalows with use of appropriate materials – along the lines of the South Molton development
• Would be happy to facilitate a visit to South Molton to see, when safe to do so.
• Overall objective to mix in with ETW shows impression of the dwellings. Simple design.
• A double page newsletter would be sent to nearby residents with full consultation website and dedicated telephone number. One to one invitations via zoom or similar with residents who adjoin the development
• Looking at Reserved Matters in the New Year with the intention to build within 18 months thereafter, subject to approval and Covid.

Questions were invited and answered on the following points:

• A new pumping station has had to be added to the site – this would be the responsibility of SWW
• DCC Highways are happy with the extra traffic going onto Manteo Way as the original application had been for many more dwellings. Baker Estates will provide a 3m footpath which would replace the grass verge on the “north” side of Manteo
• A massive amount of investigation has been undertaken regarding mine-workings on the site. There has been no evidence but they will excavate each dwelling site as they go forward. This will be signed off by NHBC.
• 106 conditions had been discussed and these provisions were
o £82k contribution to Education
o Provision of a Pedestrian Crossing on Manteo Way
o £10k provision to Community Facilities – no description but this would be handled by the District Authority
o Onsite Play area which could be changed to another use by the Management organisation

• A flood management area provided with flood storage area to avoid dwellings downhill to become flooded from the development. This in the form of a wet land valley with tumbling weirs, funded by the Management Company.
• Management Company will be the residents, not a ground rent but part of the purchase price. Baker Estates will not be part of the Management Company, totally run by the residents, after that they will set their own fees.
• On a question of renewables, Baker’s could offer nothing solid at this stage as more information would be coming from Government about options.
• Garage sizes sensible for a proper sized car to avoid kerbside parking
• No affordable housing – not viable, and has been agreed with the District Valuer who set the standard. Dwellings cost is assessed with the build-cost in mind and this is a national standard and set by the District Councils.
• Locally sourced materials and labour. Workforce and Sub-contractors will come from within 15-20 miles of the site

Councillor Mrs Hellyer asked if Baker Estates would provide a street lamp at the Mines Road end of the development. She was advised to mention this at the Consultation stage.

With no further questions, the Chairman thanked Messrs Hutton and Biddle for attending. They thanked the Chairman in turn.

006.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a.        Application No: 1/0926/2020/OUTM. Outline planning application for the erection of up to 290 dwellings, including affordable housing with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and two vehicular access points from Abbotsham Road. All matters reserved except for of access. Land North Of Abbotsham Road, Abbotsham, Bideford, Devon. Applicant: Mrs J Turner & Gladman Developments Ltd, Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB. Agent: None supplied. (Date received: 28 Oct 2020).

The Chairman explained the location of the application and that it had been refused permission previously, the developers had not appealed. The reason for the application being brought forward for consultation is that the 5 year land supply had not been met. He added that this piece of land was not included in the Local Plan for development. He concluded that the reasons for refusal had been:
• Development is too far from the Town and amenities
• The projection of the development into the countryside would have adverse effect.
• The removal of the hedgerow and that Badger’s Hill Wood was considered an ancient woodland.

Members discussed the application at length.

Proposed by: Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application could not be accepted on the following grounds:

• Unsustainable location
• Unacceptable projection into the countryside
• Would lead to loss of rich ecological habitat
• Major concerns for the viability with Kenwith Dam

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

b.        Application No: 1/0938/2020/FUL. Single storey extension. 142 Watkins Way, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4FP. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Lev (same address). Agent: D & J May Architectural Services, Barnstaple. (Date received: 29 Oct 2020).

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

c.         Application No: 1/0757/2020/FUL: Conversion of first and second floors into 2 no. apartments, and creation of additional entrance doorway through existing window opening. 42 Mill Street Bideford Devon EX39 2JW. Applicant: Mr I Morris, Shires Cottage, Lower Loxhore, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4SU. Agent: Mr K Luckhurst, Barnstaple. (Date received: 28 Oct 2020).

Proposed by: Councillor Mrs Langford, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 1)

d.         Application No: 11/0974/2020/FUL: Installation of 1no. new CCTV camera. HSBC, Alexandra House, 11 The Quay, Bideford. Applicant: Mr B French, HSBC Corporate Real Estate, 62-76 Park Street, Southwark, London SE1 9DZ. Agent: Axis Architecture, Sheffield. (Date received: 5 Nov 2020).

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

e.          Application No: 1/0975/2020/LBC. Installation of 1no new CCTV camera. HSBC, Alexandra House, 11 The Quay, Bideford. Applicant: Mr B French, HSBC Corporate Real Estate, 62-76 Park Street, Southwark, London SE1 9DZ. Agent: Axis Architecture, Sheffield. (Date received 5 Nov 2020).

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved on the proviso that the Conservation Officer is content with the works proposed.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

f.        Application No: 1/0018/2020/FUL: Erection of 3 no dwellings- revised scheme based on extant consent 1/0012/2009/REMM for 10 no. dwellings (amended description). Braddicks Carpet Store, Torrington Street, Bideford, Devon. Applicant: Messrs I,B,J & S Braddick, 31 Mill Street, Bideford EX39 2LN. Agent: Fearnley Lott Architects, Monkleigh. (Date received 6 Nov. 2020).

Members discussed aspects of this application, expressing some concern for the flood plain, the height of the dwellings and extra traffic. Although some members considered the land needed “tidying” up.

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 1, Abstentions: 1)

g.      Application No: 1/0889/2020/COU: Change of Use from shop with residential flat (c3) above to children’s nursery (e) . 1 Stanhope Terrace, Bideford, Devon EX39 3JZ. Applicant: Misses V Fulford & L Dewberry, 50 Fillablack Road, Bideford, North Devon. Agent: None supplied. (Date received: 10 Nov. 2020).

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

007.       PLANNING AUTHORITIES UPDATE

Members noted the decisions received from Torridge District Council since the last meeting.

008.      TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING ACTIVITY BETWEEN 7TH & 28TH OCTOBER 2020

The Chairman had wanted a report drawn up in order for all Councillors to see the Planning movements. He had not requested one before October as applications had been few.

He thanked the Clerks for their work.

009.     TO CONSIDER CONTINUING WITH VIRTUAL PLANNING MEETINGS AND AGREE THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

All members agreed that it was preferable to hold virtual (Zoom) Planning Meetings, going forward.

The next Planning Committee meeting would be Wednesday 16th December 2020 at 6pm via Zoom.

 

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked Members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.27pm.

 


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