Agenda and minutes

The Vice Chairman announced that In the absence of Councillor Tonkin, he would be presiding as Chairman at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order No 10.

He welcomed everyone to this face-to-face meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Committee in the New Council Chamber.

He explained the new arrangements in place for speaking on planning applications under Standing Order 17A, with speakers to be invited to address the committee immediately before an application rather than at the start of the meeting.

The Chairman then introduced those officers present at the meeting.

Please note that following changes to SO17A, public speaking about applications for planning permission will be at the start of relevant agenda items rather than at the start of the meeting.  Time limits and notification deadlines remain unchanged, as set out below.

To receive and hear any person who wishes to address the Committee. The Chairman will select the order of the matters to be heard. Each speaker will be limited to a period of five minutes for public participation on non-planning matters (up to a maximum of 30 minutes) and three minutes for the applicant/supporters and three minutes for objectors on a planning application (up to a maximum of 30 minutes).

If there is more than one person wishing to object to an application, the Chairman will invite those persons to agree a spokesperson among themselves. In default of agreement the Chairman may select one person to speak.

Requests to speak must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, or to the officer mentioned at the top of this agenda letter, by noon on the day before the meeting and the request must detail the subject matter of the address.

Please ensure that any submissions meet the required time limits and can be read out in five minutes for public participation on non-planning matters (up to a maximum of 30 minutes) and three minutes for applicant/supporter statements and three minutes for objector statements on a planning application (up to a maximum of 30 minutes). Members of the public are advised that 400 words at normal speaking speed equate to a three minute statement.

It was noted there were no speakers under Standing Order 17.

Two requests to speak had been received under Standing Order 17A and the speakers would be invited to address the committee immediately prior to the consideration of the application in question (agenda item 6).

A Member must declare any disclosable pecuniary interest where it relates to any matter being considered at the meeting. A declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest should indicate the interest and the agenda item to which it relates. A Member is not permitted to participate in this agenda item by law and should immediately leave the meeting before the start of any debate.

If the Member leaves the meeting in respect of a declaration, he or she should ensure that the Chairman is aware of this before he or she leaves to enable their exit from the meeting to be recorded in the minutes in accordance with Standing Order 37.

None.

16 November 2022 to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting dated 16 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

*** Change to Agenda Order ***

Section 2 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

The Chairman agreed a change to agenda order, to consider Agenda item 7 next.

Resolved: the application be DEFERRED until the next meeting.

Section 1 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

At the invitation of the Chairman, Jax Hampson, local resident addressed the committee speaking against the application.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Sophie Bridges, Applicant, addressed the committee speaking in favour of the application.

The Director of Place’s representative presented the report.  He also drew attention to the update sheet published the previous day which provided clarification regarding the bus services.  Bus service 5 had been terminated, however the replacement bus service was the no 50.  Officer comments were  that Bus service 50 ran to the same location pas the application site as the previous bus service 5.  In addition clarification was provided in relation to comments from Highways and Transport.  The original comments from Highways and Transport had stated that Queensway had a 30mph speed limit to the east of the proposed access and this was quoted on page 9 of the committee report, however the speed limit was 40mph.  Officer comments were that the visibility splays had been based on recorded speeds, and therefore the assessment of the proposed access was accurate despite the error in speed limit having been quoted.

The Director of Place’s representative drew attention to the introduction of an additional requirement (e) for further consideration of the compliance of the proposal with Core Strategy policy CS20 and, if required, the securing of an appropriate financial contributions through the S106 agreement to secure compliance with the relevant policy guidance.

At the invitation of the Chairman, ward members, Councillors Roz Willis and Lisa Pilgrim addressed the committee. 

Following debate it was:

Resolved: Subject to

(a) The receipt and consideration of the comments of the North Somerset Drainage Board on the amended drawings and documents;

(b) the completion of a Habitat Regulation Assessment;

(c) the completion of a section 106 legal agreement securing financial contributions towards affordable housing, green infrastructure and highway and transport improvements;

             i.     The provision of 30% on site affordable housing;

           ii.     The provision of 966 m2 of neighbourhood open space;

          iii.     The provision of 1610 m2 of woodland as indicated on submitted drawings;

         iv.     The provision of 1932 m2 conservation Site (rural) would be enhanced by the proposal;

           v.    The provision of Green Corridors;

         vi.     The provision of 400 m2 play area;

        vii.     Contribution of £50,000 for pedestrian safety improvements along Kewstoke Road;

      viii.     Contribution to public transport of £20,000 per annum for a period of 3 years to support and grow a scheduled bus service;

         ix.     Contribution of £50,000 for the replacement and upgrade of bus shelters;

           x.    Contribution of £3,600 for a TRO application for a speed limit location change; and

         xi.     Sustainable travel vouchers totalling £120/dwelling.

(d) the completion of a section 278 agreement securing highways works to be delivered by the developer;

             i.     A signal-controlled crossing on Queensway; and

           ii.     Removal and replacement of speed limit signs.

(e) further consideration of the compliance of the proposal with Core Strategy policy CS20 and, if required, the securing of an appropriate financial contributions through the S106 agreement to secure compliance  ...  view the full minutes text for item PAR 38

Section 3 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

The Director of Place’s representative reported on appeal decisions and appeals that had been lodged since the date of the last meeting.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

Section 4 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

The Director of Place’s representative reported on the updated Local Enforcement Plan and Advertisement Protocol.  A Local Enforcement Plan was required to guide the priorities for enforcement action and was one of the key tools for managing expectations about what the service could deliver as identified in the recent Peer Review of the planning service.

The plan was originally approved by the committee in July 2012 and was subsequently updated and approved by the committee in May 2017 and November 2019.  The plan had been updated again to reflect current operational practice and team names and was attached as Appendix A.  The existing Advertising Protocol had also been updated and reproduced as Appendix B for reconfirmation. 

Resolved: that the updated Local Enforcement Plan and the Advertisement Protocol set out in Appendix A and Appendix B of the report be approved with immediate effect.

For a matter to be considered as an urgent item, the following question must be addressed: “What harm to the public interest would flow from leaving it until the next meeting?” If harm can be demonstrated, then it is open to the Chairman to rule that it be considered as urgent. Otherwise the matter cannot be considered urgent within the statutory provisions.

None