Agendas, Minutes and Reports

MINUTES

OF THE MEETING OF THE

West Area Committee

Thursday 28th August 2003

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

Meeting Commenced: 6.00 p.m. Meeting Concluded: 7.45 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillors John Crockford-Hawley (Chairman), Muriel Kraft (Vice-Chairman), Ian Baker, Bob Bateman, Michael Bell, Astra Brand, Peter Bryant, Mark Canniford Colin Golland, Jenny Gosden, Alan Hockridge, Derek Kraft, Ronald Moon, Mari Owens, Ian Parker, Robert Payne, Michael Roe, Richard Skinner, Sally Tabrett, Richard Tucker, Roz Willis

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Clive Webb and Andy Wright

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Elfan Ap Rees

WAC

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application no. 03/P/1591/F (Agenda Item 1)

Mr. Mervyn Edwards addressed the committee on behalf of local residents, speaking against the application.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Edwards for his comments.

WAC

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application no. 02/P/2281/F (Agenda Item 1)

Mrs. C. Pollard addressed the committee on behalf of local residents, speaking against the application.

The Chairman thanked Mrs. Pollard for her comments.

WAC

Declarations of Interest by Members (Agenda Item 3)

Councillor Roe declared a prejudicial interest in respect of application no. 03/P/1683/O (agenda item 6.6) – he is joint owner of the site.

Councillor Parker declared a prejudicial interest in respect of application no. 02/P/2281/F (agenda item 6.1) – he is a friend of the applicant.

Councillor Tucker declared a personal interest in respect of application no. 02/P/2281/F (agenda item 6.1) – he lives in the vicinity of the site.

Councillor Crockford-Hawley declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the application for funding from 1^st Ashcombe Scout Group (agenda item 7) – he is President of Axe District Scouts.

Councillor Payne declared a personal interest in respect of application no. 02/P/2281/F (agenda item 6.1) – a close relative lives near the site.

Councillor Tabrett declared a personal interest in respect of the application for funding from 1^st Ashcombe Scout Group (agenda item 7) – she is the leader of another Scout Group.

WAC

Minutes of the Meeting held on 31st July 2003 (Agenda Item 4)

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

PART 1 – RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLANNING AND REGULATORY COMMITTEE

None.

PART 2 – DECISIONS OF THE AREA COMMITTEE

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COUNCILLOR PARKER, HAVING PREVIOUSLY DECLARED

A PREJUDICIAL INTEREST LEFT THE MEETING

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WAC

Application No. 02/P/2281/F – Change of use from garage/car sales to residential including complete demolition with 19 new build residential units comprising houses and flats at 351-361 Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.1)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

RESOLVED: that the application be DEFERRED for a site meeting (to be held on Monday 15 September 2003 at 10.00 a.m.)

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COUNCILLOR PARKER RETURNED TO THE MEETING

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WAC

Application No. 03/P/1247/F – Proposed construction of a new build Vauxhall motor dealership which includes a showroom, workshop and stand alone bodyshop, land off Aisecombe Way, Great Weston Centre, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.2)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book. He also reported receipt of a late letter from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which raised objections regarding the proximity of a gas pipeline running across the site, and recommended that any approval should be subject to further consultation with the HSE and Transco on this matter.

RESOLVED: that subject to further negotiations with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Transco to resolve the HSE’s late objection the application be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.

2. Development shall not begin until drainage works have been carried out in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.

3. The car showroom shall be only be used for the purpose described in the application and for no other purpose including any other purpose in class A1 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order.

4. No foul or contaminated drainage or effluent shall be discharged to ground or surface water without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

5. No facilities for the storage of oils, fuels or chemicals shall be constructed outside the building before full details have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

6. No development shall commence until full details of the existing and proposed ground, floor and ridge levels have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority, the development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved details.

7. Notwithstanding the approved plans, no work shall be commenced until samples of the materials to be used in the development, have been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority. The developments shall be carried out in the approved materials unless otherwise agreed in writing.

8. No development shall take place until details of a landscaping scheme which shall accord with the submitted plans has been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.

9. All works comprised in the approved details of landscaping should be carried out during the months of October to March inclusive following occupation of the buildings or completion of the development, whichever is the sooner.

10. Trees, hedges and plants shown in the landscaping scheme to be retained or planted which, during the development works or a period of ten years following full implementation of the landscaping scheme, are removed without prior written consent from the Local Planning Authority or die, become seriously diseased or are damaged, shall be replaced in the first available planting season with others of such species and size as the Authority may specify.

11. Not withstanding the approved plans no extract or venting systems shall be installed or used at the building hereby permitted without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

12. Prior to occupation of the building the vehicular access within the site shall be linked to the existing at the north eastern boundary in accordance with plans to be submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The access shall be kept clear and available for use by vehicles at all times.

13. Prior to the commencement of development or any works to clear the site a programme of works for the survey, removal and relocation of any reptiles found shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be fully implemented unless revisions are first agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

WAC

Application No. 03/P/1843/F – Erection of double garage and reinstatement of wall above door to original contour at 25 Cecil Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.3)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

RESOLVED: that the application be APPROVED subject to the receipt of amended plans and the following conditions:-

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.

2. Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, a sample panel of the rendered finish shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

WAC

Application No. 03/P/1381/F – Conversion of ground floor flat into two flats at 6-8 Lower Church Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.4)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

In considering the application members raised concerns regarding the subdivision of the flat, suggesting this amounted to over development of the site and would be detrimental to the character of the area.

RESOLVED: that the application be REFUSED for the following reason:-

1. The proposal would result in an over intensive use of the site and would have a harmful effect on the character of the area contrary to policy HOU/15 of the North Somerset Local Plan.

WAC

Application No. 03/P/1732/RG3 – Change of use (ground floor only) from A2 office to B1 office use at 59-61 Oxford Street (Agenda Item 6.5)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

RESOLVED: that the application be APPROVED subject to the following condition:-

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.

2. A window display shall be maintained at all times.

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COUNCILLOR ROE, HAVING PREVIOSLY DECLARED

A PREJUDICIAL INTEREST LEFT THE MEETING

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WAC

Application No. 03/P/1683/O – Outline planning permission for the erection of a bungalow on land at 6 Totterdown Lane and 4 Highfield Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.6)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report. He reported receipt of 2 further letters of objection from neighbours.

RESOLVED: that the application be DEFERRED for a site meeting (to be held on Monday 15 September 2003 at 11.00 a.m.)

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COUNCILLOR ROE RETURNED TO THE MEETING

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WAC

Application No. 03/P/1850/F – Enclosure of covered way to provide additional teaching area at Milton Infants School, Milton Park Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.7)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

RESOLVED: that the application be APPROVED subject to the following condition:-

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.

WAC

Application No. 03/P/1591/F – Continued occupation of 36 Constable Drive, Weston-super-Mare without complying with condition 7 of planning permission 1114/74 (in respect of the provision of one garage space) which states: “sufficient space for one garage and one parking space, together with a vehicular access thereto shall be provided contemporaneously for each dwelling before it is occupied in positions approved by the District Planning Authority. The said space and access shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles or for the purpose of access”. (Agenda Item 6.8)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

Members queried whether this was a matter for the committee to determine and whether planning approval was required, and agreed that the application be deferred in order to clarify the planning controls available in these circumstances.

RESOLVED: that the application be DERERRED for clarification of the planning controls available in these circumstances.

WAC

Application No. 03/P/1067/F – Works mainly within existing highway to form signal controlled junctions and other traffic management improvements on A370 at Herluin Way and Winterstoke Road, and in Searle Crescent and Phillips Road, Weston-super-Mare (Agenda Item 6.9)

The Director of Development and Environment presented the report and referred to the update sheet, a copy of which is filed on the signed Minute Book.

The committee debated the impact of the proposal and whether alternative or additional works would be needed.

RESOLVED: that the application be APPROVED subject to the submission of revised plans to address the following and subject to the following conditions and advice:-

Revisions

The deletion of the mini roundabout at the western end of Searle Crescent and the proposed alterations in Philips Road at the entrance and exit to the retail park

Conditions

1. The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.

2. The proposed junction shall not be brought into use until MOVA technology which shall also link to the existing signals on the Winterstoke roundabout, has been incorporated into the design of the scheme and fully implemented.

Advice

Whilst the plans are accepted in principle, there are a number of changes which need attention. The developer is therefore requested to liaise with the Highway Services team (Mr S Blackmore) with regard the required changes.

The development cannot be commenced until such time as the developer has entered into an agreement with the Council as Highway Authority, under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980. The developer should contact the New Works Manager (Mr. Cox. 01275 882009) with regard the terms of the agreement.

The development shall incorporate a new 40 mph speed limit for Herluin Way from a point to the east of the new signals to the Winterstoke roundabout. The incorporation of the 40 mph speed limit will require a Traffic Regulation Order. The developer is advised that the processing of the order and the Council’s reasonable costs shall be met from the development.

(Councillor Bryant voted against the proposition and asked for this to be recorded)

WAC

Applications determined by the Officers (Agenda Item 6.10)

RESOLVED: that the decisions contained in Section 3 of the report of the Director of Development and Environment for the period 15/07/03 to 06/08/03 detailing the applications dealt with by the officers under delegated authority be noted.

WAC

Planning Appeals (Agenda Item 6.11)

The Director of Development and Environment reported on the following appeals:-

(a) Planning Appeal Decisions

02/P/2469/F – Proposed dwelling, 2 Chesham Road North, Weston-super-Mare – Mr. and Mrs. C. Reynolds – Appeal Dismissed.

02/P/2836/F – Change of use of the ground floor from Class A1 butchers to Class A3 restaurant, 60 Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare – KP Development – Appeal Dismissed.

02/P/2554/F – Demolish existing garage and rebuild adjacent to house. Erect new dwelling with garage and access, land at 17 Southdown, Worle, Weston-super-Mare – Mr. G. Pullin – Appeal Dismissed.

(b) Planning Appeals received since the last Committee

03/P/0954/F – Erection of 2 first floor flats above car ports for customers of the Bed and Breakfast, rear of 16/18 Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare – Mr. K. Penfold.

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COUNCILLOR CROCKFORD-HAWLEY, HAVING PREVIOSLY DECLARED A PREJUDICIAL INTEREST LEFT THE MEETING

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COUNCILLOR MRS KRAFT IN THE CHAIR

WAC

Area Committees – Budget Bidding (Agenda Item 7)

The Committee received a report from the Funding Advisory Service presenting one new application for financial assistance under the Budget Bidding process.

RECOMMENDED TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL: that the bid in respect of 1st Ashcombe (Weston-super-Mare) Scout Group in the sum of £6,485 be APPROVED.

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Chairman

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