DRAFT

MINUTES

OF THE MEETING OF THE

North Area Committee

Thursday 11th September 2003

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

 

Meeting Commenced:  2.30 p.m.        Meeting Concluded:      5.00 p.m.

 

PRESENT:  Councillors Glyn Duck (Chairman), John Daws (Vice-Chairman), Ian Bates, Nick Brown, John Clark, Alan Cotton, George Morris, Michael Nobes, David Shopland, Arthur Terry, Barry Walters

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Peter Fisher, Jon Gething

 

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:  Councillors Felicity Baker, Peter Burden, Robert Coleman, Bob Cook, Howard Roberts

 

 

NAC

92     

September 11th Terrorist Attack

 

On the second anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centre, the Chairman asked Members to observe 30 seconds silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

NAC

93     

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application No. 03/P/1333/F 

 

Mr Richard Langton Hewer addressed the Area Committee in opposition to an application for planning permission at Ashton Court Estate.

 

On behalf of the Applicant, Mr Andrew Beard spoke in support of the proposal.

NAC

94     

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application No. 03/P/0981/F 

 

Mr John C Middle  addressed the Area Committee in opposition to an application for planning permission at 2 Bellevue Road, Clevedon.

 

On behalf of the Applicant, Mr Giles spoke in support of the proposal.


NAC

95     

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application No. 03/P/1179/F 

 

On behalf of the 2nd Portishead Scout Group Mr Brian Andrews, Group Scout Leader, addressed the Area Committee in opposition to an application for planning permission at the former St Peter’s School site, High Street, Portishead

 

NAC

96     

Public Speaking at Planning Committees under Standing Order 17A

Planning Application No. 03/P/1245/F 

 

Mr Simon Applegate, the applicant, addressed the Area Committee in support of an application for planning permission at 125 Badger’s Rise, Portishead.

NAC

97     

Declarations of Interest

 

Members made the following declarations of interest:

 

Councillor Ian Bates declared a personal interest in an application for planning permission at Salthouse Fields, Clevedon, as a member of Clevedon Town  Council, Councillor Bates also declared a personal interest in an application for financial assistance under the Area Committee Budget Bidding Process, which had been submitted by Clevedon Community Association, as a member of the Association’s Executive.

 

Councillor Barry Walters declared a personal interest in an application for planning permission at the former St Peter’s School site, Portishead, as the application site was situated in close proximity to his own property

 

NAC

98     

Presentation of Petition by a Member under Standing Order 16

 

On behalf of Councillor Fisher, Councillor Daws presented a petition in respect an application for planning permission at Ashton Court Estate (Minute No. NAC 102 refers).  The petition contained approximately 130 signatures of people wishing to record their objection to several features of the proposal.

 

NAC

99     

Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th August 2003 (Agenda Item 4.1)

 

            RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th August 2003 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

NAC

100 

Minutes of the Site Meeting held on 19th August 2003

 

Councillor Brown considered that minute No. NAC 89 was incorrect as the Director of Development had not in fact attended the site meeting but had been represented by a planning officer.  The Chairman pointed out that officers attending meetings on behalf of the Director, did so as his representative and the minutes of the Area Committee’s meetings therefore acknowledged this practice.

 

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the site meeting held on 19th August 2003 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

NAC

101 

Minutes of the Joint Site Inspection held on 26th August 2003 (Agenda Item 4.3)

 

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the joint site inspection held on the 26th August 2003 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

PART 1 – RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLANNING AND REGULATORY COMMITTEE

 

NAC

102 

Planning Application No 03/P/1333/F – Construction of 4 no. new car parks, pedestrian underpass, new golf pavilion, new golf greens and kiosk, new public toilets, new highway access point, new paths and fences, new drainage, tree removal and replanting and associated landscaping and demolition of kiosk at Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton (Agenda Item 6.1)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on an application for planning permission. The Committee was advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

The Vice-Chairman of the Planning and Regulatory Committee exercised his right under Part 31b of the Constitution, to refer the matter to that Committee for determination, irrespective of the decision reached by the Area Committee.

 

It was proposed and duly seconded that consideration of the application be deferred for further negotiation in respect of seeking the removal of the car park on the Clifton College site, and the associated underpass.

 

The Area Committee Adjourned at 4.07 p.m.

 

 

The Area Committee reconvened at 4.18 p.m.

 

The proposition was LOST and it was subsequently,

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE PLANNING & REGULATORY COMMITTEE: that subject to the removal of the car park on the Clifton College site and the associated underpass, and subject to the application being referred to the Secretary of State as a departure from the Development Plan, Planning Application No 03/P/1333/F be APPROVED subject to the following conditions (amended as appropriate):-

 

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

2.            The developer shall afford access at all times to any archaeologist nominated by the Local Planning Authority, and shall allow him or her to observe the excavations and record items of interest and finds.

3.            Further archaeological survey work, including a geophysical survey, shall be undertaken in the wilderness garden area concurrently with the work to be undertaken in this area. If any archaeological remains are found then work on this area shall cease until further investigations are carried out with an assessment of their significance submitted to the Local Planning Authority, together with appropriate revised design proposals for approval.  The revisions shall be implemented in complete accordance with the approved details.

4.            No development shall commence unless and until the site has been surveyed for the presence of protected species (including Bats, Dormice, Great Crested Newts, Badgers and Owls) in accordance in accordance with a specification to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. Should any protected species be identified no development shall commence unless and until a scheme and programme to mitigate the impact of the development on the protected species has been fully implemented in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the local authority.

5.            No development shall commence until an ecological management plan for the site has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The management plan shall include the results of an ecological survey of the site and a detailed scheme of mitigation measures to be incorporated within the development, including a timetable for the monitoring of the impact of the development on the ecological features.  The development and the requirements of the management plan shall subsequently be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

6.            No work shall be commenced until samples of the materials and external finishes, including colours to be used in the development, have been submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials unless otherwise agreed in writing.

7.            All new external stonework shall be carried out in stone which shall, in type in mortar and in the manner in which it is laid, match that of the existing to the satisfaction, in writing, of the Local Planning Authority.

8.            Details of the provision to be made for  disabled parking and for the parking of cycles using the estate shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority before development commences. Such works shall be carried out prior to the commencement of the use of the new car parks.

9.            No structure or erection exceeding one metre in height above the adjoining carriageway level shall be placed within the sight lines shown on plans to be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.

10.        Details of the design and construction of the pedestrian underpass under Beggar Bush lane shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in conjunction with the Highway Authority prior to the commencement of any work on this structure.  The underpass shall be constructed in complete accordance with the approved details prior to the commencement of the use of the approved golf pavilion.

11.        The use of the proposed northern car park at Beggar Bush Lane shall not commence until the pedestrian underpass is completed and available for pedestrian users.

12.        The access drive to the Golf Kiosk and the miniature railway shall not be removed until details of the alterations to the access serving the miniature railway, including the reprofiling of the crossing from the site to the highway and the lowering of service boxes have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority, and the works have been completed in accordance with the approved details.

13.        The visibility along the highway verge adjacent to the miniature railway access shall be maintained from the access to the brow of the hill in the Bristol direction at all times, to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

14.        No development shall commence to the proposed new access adjacent to the Dovecote  Public House until an amended bus stop location in the vicinity of the Dovecote has been provided in a position to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

15.        Use of the proposed car parks and golf pavilion shall not commence until the necessary highway works (including highway works adjacent to Clifton Lodge, Church Lodge and the Dovecote and Beggar Bush Lane) have been carried out in accordance with details, to include the detailed design, safety audit and capacity design to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

16.        No development shall be commenced until drainage details including those for the car parks and land drainage where applicable have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  Such works shall be carried out concurrently with the development to a programme to be agreed and approved, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.

17.        No work shall commence on the toilet block until the works to heighten the boundary wall to Rownham Hill has been completed in accordance with the approved plans.

18.        A detailed programme for the implementation of the overall restoration proposals shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  No work shall take place other than in accordance with the agreed programme.

19.        No work shall commence on the amendments to the golf courses until details of the changes in levels and how that is to be achieved are submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out in complete accordance with the agreed details.

 

Advice Notes

 

1.            It will be necessary to enter into agreement with the Highway Authority in order to implement the works as outlined in Conditions 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

2.            The applicants are urged to consider within their management plans for the Estate, the incorporation of features which will provide for greater accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, to include use of signage, especially to identify a link over the plateau towards Tyntesfield.

3.            The applicants are urged to pursue discussions with regard to the use of the Ashton Vale park and ride site during events, and the possibility of dedicated bus services from the city, during events.

4.            The applicant is advised that no works shall commence until the local planning authority has been given at least seven days’ notice of the intention to start work

5.            The applicant is advised that Council Officers and any consultants whose advice they consider necessary shall be given access to the property throughout the period of the works.

6.            The applicant will need to enter into an agreement with the local planning authority for the design and implementation of any works on the public highway.  The applicant is advised to contact Highway Services on 01275 882001.

 

PART 2 – DECISIONS OF THE AREA COMMITTEE

 

NAC

103 

Planning Application No 03/P/1179/F – Demolition and erection of 53 sheltered apartments for the elderly including house managers accommodation, communal facilities, car parking, landscaping and access at former St Peter's School, High Street, Portishead  (Agenda Item 6.2)

 

The Director of Planning and Environment reported on an application for planning permission.  The Committee was advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

RESOLVED:  that consideration of the matter be DEFERRED pending a site meeting.

 

NAC

104 

Planning Application No 03/P/0981/F – Change of use of bank, together with two-storey side extension to form 6 no. self-contained flats. Erection of three-storey building to the rear to provide 6 no. self-contained flats. Construction of pedestrian access to Linden Road and new car parking areas at former HSBC Bank, 2 Bellevue Road, Clevedon (Agenda Item 6.3)

 

The Director of Planning and Environment reported on an application for planning permission.  The Committee were advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

RESOLVED:  that Planning Application No 03/P/0981/F be REFUSED for the following reasons:-

 

1.                 The proposed three-storey building, by virtue of its height, scale, layout and design, will result in a built form which would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and contrary to Policies HOU/2, CON/1 and CON/3 of the North Somerset Local Plan and government advice contained in PPG15.

2.                 The proposed development, due to its close proximity to the eastern boundary will result in a loss of light and amenity to the detriment of the living conditions currently enjoyed by the residents of No. 3 Linden Road.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy HOU/2 of the North Somerset Local Plan.

NAC

105 

Planning Application No 03/P/1235/F –Construction of skateboard/bmx park consisting of various ramps and rails with 1.2 metre high boundary fence at Putting Green, The Beach, adjacent to Salthouse Fields and Elton Road, Clevedon (Agenda Item 6.4)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on an application for planning permission.  The Committee was advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

Members discussed the question of floodlighting.

 

As Chairman of the Town Council, Councillor David Shopland stated that he would not vote on this matter.

 

RESOLVED:  that Planning Application No 03/P/1809/F 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.         No means of external illumination shall be installed, erected or placed on or within the application site.

3.                  No work shall commence on site until details of the proposed replacement fencing, including the site entrance gate(s), have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing. Such details shall include the location, type and height of the fencing, gate(s) and means of construction. The fence and gate(s) shall thereafter be constructed in accordance with the approved detail prior to the skateboard park being brought into use.

4.         No development shall take place until details of a landscaping scheme have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

5.         All works comprised in the approved details of landscaping should be carried out during the months of October to March inclusive following the completion of the development.

6.         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.

           

NAC

106 

Planning Application No 03/P/1809/F – Erection of a single storey side and rear extension at 27 High View, Portishead (Agenda Item 6.5)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on an application for planning permission. The Committee was advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

RESOLVED:  that consideration of the matter be DEFERRED pending the expiry of the consultation period.

 

NAC

107 

Planning Application No 03/P/1245/F – Erection of two –storey side extension a 175 Badger Rise, Portishead (Agenda Item 6.6)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on an application for planning permission. The Committee was advised of any comments received after the dispatch of the agenda and reports.

 

RESOLVED:  that Planning Application No 03/P/1245/F be REFUSED for the following reasons:-

           

1.                 The proposed would be disproportionate to the size of the existing house, visually disrupt the street scene and would result in inadequate off-street parking contrary to Policy RL/6 of the North Somerset Local Plan.

NAC

108 

Delegated Decisions (Agenda Item 6.7)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on applications that had been determined by the officers.

 

RESOLVED:  that the decisions contained in Section 3 of the Report of the Director of Development and Environment dated 11th September 2003, concerning applications that had been determined by the officers under delegated authority, be noted.

NAC

109 

Planning Appeals (Agenda Item 6.8)

 

The Director of Development and Environment reported on appeal decisions received and appeals that had been lodged since the date of the last meeting.  Members noted that in addition to those matters contained within the written report, an appeal had been received in respect of an application for planning permission at Ferncliffe, North Road, Leigh Woods.

 

Appeal Decisions

 

02/P/2184/F – Change of use from farmland to garden extension at Priorsfield, 7 Old Priory Road, Easton in Gordano – R J Packham.  APPEAL DISMISSED.

 

Appeals Received

 

03/P/0844/O – Erection of single storey dwelling and garage (Outline) at Netheridge, 5 Castle Road, Clevedon.

NAC

110 

Certificate of Lawfulness – Application No 03/P/1587/LUE, 28B Hill Road, Clevedon (Agenda Item 7.1)

 

The Solicitor to the Council reported on an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness.

 

RESOLVED:  that the application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use of 28B Hill Road, Clevedon for residential use as a single dwellinghouse be GRANTED on the ground that the use began more than ten years before the date of the application.

NAC

111 

Certificate of Lawfulness – Application No 03/P/1965/LUP, 8 St Johns Avenue, Clevedon (Agenda Item 7.2)

 

The Solicitor to the Council reported on an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development.

 

RESOLVED: that the application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development of a kitchen extension at 8 St Johns Avenue, Clevedon, in accordance with the drawings submitted with the application, be GRANTED on the grounds that the development is permitted development in accordance with the provisions of Class A of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

NAC

112 

Area Committee Budget  Bidding (Agenda Item 8)

 

The Area Committee considered applications submitted for financial assistance under the Budget Bidding process.

 

It was agreed that consideration of an application from the Wildlife Trust towards access improvements at Weston Big Wood Nature Reserve would stand deferred for one cycle.

 

Councillor Clark referred to bridleway repairs at Wood Lane, Clapton-in-Gordano which had been partially funded through the Area Committee Budget Bidding Process.   Members commended the officers concerned on the completion of the project ahead of time and under budget.

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL:  that the application submitted by Clevedon Community Association towards the update of the 'Hearing Loop' system for the main hall of Clevedon Community Centre, be approved in the sum of £2,005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                                                                 Chairman

                                                                                        ________________________________