MINUTES

OF THE MEETING OF THE

Planning and Regulatory Committee

Wednesday 9th July 2003

HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, SOMERSET.

 

Meeting Commenced:  2.30 p.m.        Meeting Concluded:      3.38 p.m.

 

PRESENT:  Councillors Tony Lake (Chairman), John Clark (Vice-Chairman), Elfan Ap Rees, Peter Burden, Bob Cook, Alan Cotton, John Crockford-Hawley, John Daws, Jon Gething, Colin Golland (substitute for Astra Brand), Ann Harley, Greta Lewis, Ian Peddlesden (substitute for Felicity Baker, David Shopland, James Tonkin (substitute for Bob Steadman), Barry Walters (substitute for Arthur Terry) and Deborah Yamanaka

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Councillors Felicity Baker, Astra Brand, Glyn Duck, Mari Owens, Bob Steadman and Arthur Terry. 

 

PAR

10     

Public Speaking at Planning Committee under Standing Order 17A

Mrs. C. Pollard – Planning Application No. 02/P/2281/F)

 

Mrs. Christine Pollard addressed the Committee on behalf of the residents of Southmead Road, outlining their objections to the above-mentioned application.

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs. Pollard for her comments.

PAR

11     

Declarations of Interest by Members

 

Councillor Jon Gething  declared a personal interest in respect of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 29th May 2003 (Agenda item 5) – he owns a property along Slade Road, Portishead

 

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees declared a personal interest in respect of the report entitled “Judicial Review – Concerning Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare” (Agenda item 8) – he is a trustee of the Museum

 

PAR

12     

Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Regulatory Committee held on 4th June 2003 (Agenda Item 4)

 

            RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2003 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

PAR

13     

Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 29th May 2003 (Agenda Item 5)

 

A member queried the accuracy of Minute LSC 2 relating to the Working Men’s Club, Slade Road, Portishead in that he considered the resolution should have reflected the licensing hour/days agreed at this meeting.

 

Officers undertook to address this matter and, in particular, would check the accuracy of the Certificate of Suitability and would ensure that a copy of this Certificate was forwarded to the member concerned.

 

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the meeting held on 29th May 2003 be noted.

PAR

14     

Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 19th June 2003 (Agenda Item 6)

 

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the meeting held on 19th June 2003 be noted.

PAR

15     

Judicial Review – Concerning Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 8)

 

The Committee received a report of the Solicitor to the Council advising of a High Court Judicial Review application, which had been made against the Council.  This related to a decision by the Planning and Regulatory Committee at its meeting on 5th February 2003, following a recommendation from the West Area Committee on 22nd January 2003, in respect of the use of the museum as an aerodrome.

 

RESOLVED:  that the action being taken be noted and that this matter be referred to the West Area Committee for their information.

 

[Councillor Elfan Ap Rees abstained from commenting and voting on this matter and requested that this be recorded]

PAR

16     

Public Rights of Way – Definitive Map Modification Orders Progress Report and Review of Committee Procedures (Agenda Item 9.1)

 

The Committee received a report of the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport updating the Committee on the current difficulties in progressing the many Definitive Map Modification Orders and examining ways in which the situation could be improved.

 

Members supported the need to remedy the situation and some members considered that political balance should not apply to the sub-committee.  It was noted that all members should be invited to attend any training events on Public Rights of Way matters.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)          that a Rights of Way Sub-Committee be established, with delegated authority from the Planning and Regulatory Committee, to determine applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders and Public Path Orders;

 

(2)          that the Rights of Way Sub-Committee comprise of five members and be politically balanced (2 conservative members, 2 liberal democrat members and 1 labour member – group leaders to be asked for nominations);

 

(3)          that the decisions of the Sub-Committee be reported back to the Planning and Regulatory Committee for information; and

 

(4)          that the Committee supports the allocation of additional resources within the medium term financial plan for the appointment of a Definitive Map Officer within the Public Rights of Way and Access Team for an initial period of three years, in order to progress the growing backlog of definitive map work.

PAR

17     

Application No. 02/P/2281/F – Change of use from garage/car sales to residential including complete demolition with twenty new build residential units comprising houses and flats at 351-361 Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 9.2)

 

The Committee were advised that this application had been recommended for approval by the West Area Committee subject to amended plans and subject to a Section 106 Agreement, contrary to officer recommendation.  Officers had, however, since revised their recommendation in the light of the comments made by the applicant and were now also recommending that if this application were amended in the manner set out by the Area Committee, it could be approved subject to a S106 agreement.

 

Members noted that this report had been referred to the Planning and Regulatory Committee for procedural reasons as the West Area Committee had considered the report under Section 1 and had made a decision contrary to officers’ recommendation at that time.

 

Members considered this report in conjunction with the views expressed by Mrs Pollard (minute no. PAR 10 refers). Debate ensued.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

(1)          that the Committee consider the policy implications of this application to be acceptable;

(2)          that the matter be referred back to the West Area Committee to allow that Committee to be satisfied as to the design details of the proposal; and

(3)          that Councillor Kehoe, Executive member for Learning, be asked to confirm that no education contribution is required in respect of this application.

 

 

                                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                                                                 Chairman

                                                                                        ________________________________