Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the twelfth virtual meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Committee. 

He explained the procedures to be followed at the meeting and confirmed that decisions taken at this meeting would have the same standing as those taken at a regular meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Committee in the Town Hall.

The Chairman reminded everyone that the meeting was being livestreamed on the internet and that a recorded version would be available to view within 48 hours on the North Somerset Council website.

For the benefit of those in attendance and members of the public watching the meeting online a representative of the Assistant Director Governance carried out a roll call of members in attendance and read out the names of the officers present at the meeting.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Dr Martin, speaking against the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Grassroots, agent for the applicant, speaking in support of the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

To receive written submissions from any person who wishes to address the Committee.  The Chairman will select the order of the matters to be received.

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.

If there is more than one person submitting a statement objecting to an application, the Chairman will invite those persons to agree on a combined statement.  In default of agreement the Chairman may select one statement to be read out.

Requests and full statements must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director 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.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Eric Sewell speaking against the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Persimmon Homes, the applicant, speaking in support of the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Tina Mason speaking against the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

At the request of the Chairman, a representative of the Assistant Director Governance read out a written submission from Davies Architectural Services, agent on behalf of the applicant, speaking in support of the proposal.  Full details had been published in advance of the meeting.

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.

17 March 2021, to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

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

The Director of the Place Directorate’s representative drew members’ attention to the update sheet which included additional information provided by the applicant around access for refuse lorries; additional existing and proposed spot levels; elevations in respect of one of the house types; visibility splays and the pedestrian/cycle path blending crossing.  He reported that 16 additional letters of objection had been received.

Resolved: that the application be DEFERRED for one cycle to allow members to conduct a site visit that conforms with national Covid regulations.

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

The Director of the Place Directorate’s representative drew members’ attention to the update sheet which included additional information on the ecological proposals by the applicant; amended conditions to support Natural England’s requirements in respect of trees and hedgerow planting and recommendations by the council’s solicitor.  He noted 4 additional comments/letters of objection had been received.

Resolved: that members were minded to refuse the application contrary to the officers’ recommendation for the following reason:

The proposed road  would result in the unacceptable loss of trees, hedgerow and habitat and  would have a detrimental impact on the rural character and appearance of the former orchard and rural setting of the village contrary to policies CS4, CS5 and CS14 of the Core Strategy, policies DM9, DM10, DM32 and DM36 of the Development Management Polices Sites and Polices Plan Part 1, the North Somerset Landscape Character Area Supplementary Planning Guidance 2018 and policy SA1 of Sites and Policies Plan Part 2: Site Allocations Plan.

NOTE: Since the application was a section 1 application the Committee have not made the final decision and the application must be reported back to the Committee to confirm the resolution.

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

The Director of the Place Directorate’s representative presented the application to members including an explanation of application of the 45-degree angle test in respect of impact on neighbouring properties.

Resolved: that the application be APPROVED as per the officers’ recommendation.

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

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

Resolved: that the report be noted.

This was Cllr Cole’s last meeting as Chairman of the Planning and Regulatory Committee and members and officers thanked him for his work as Chairman of the committee.