Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council's Planning/ Licensing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 14th May 2008
PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr C K Langton
Members - Cllrs Mrs P D Biggs, Mrs A J Boyle, Mrs S Collins, Mrs M M Cox, A Eastman, B M Edwards, P Hames, R Johnson, R W A Miller, R H Osborne, S Robinson, R M M Tisdale together with 3 parishioners
1. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Council's Planning/Licensing Committee held 29 th April 2008, as amended, were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2. Revised DAWN SPDs
Maria Bailey presented revised Area Design Statements for Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho! The documents had been simplified from the previous submission. She also presented a plan showing proposals at Knapp House which was one of the submissions as part of the LDF process. The Council is being asked to respond as soon as possible in order that the District Council could prepare the draft plan which would be subject to public consultation. Following that public consultation, the District Council would produce a final document and should there be outstanding issues at that stage there may need to be a public examination headed by a Government Inspector.
In recognition of the urgency of the matter the Town Council RESOLVED to finalise their comments at the next meeting on the 27 th May.
(Vote: Unanimous)
At this juncture Cllr Mrs Boyle arrived at the meeting.
3. Reconsultation of Planning Obligations
Maria Bailey explained that there had been some changes to Planning Obligation documents, particularly in relation to affordable housing. The main changes defined more clearly what was meant by affordable and there were provisions to ensure that affordable housing did not become the poor relation. Space standards and lifetime home standards were to be specified. Members discussed developer contributions in cases where provision of affordable homes on site was not a practicable proposition and Maria Bailey undertook to produce a list of monies held by the District Council as a result of 106 Agreements. It was RESOLVED to approve the revised documents as presented by Mrs Bailey.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllrs Mrs Cox and Robinson made the following statement:-
“As both a Town and District Councillor I wish to make it clear that I will reconsider the matter(s) at the District level, taking into account all relevant evidence and representations at the District Council's Plans Committee”.
4. Planning applications
0350/08 Proposed New garage, utility room and entrance – amended scheme - Mouna, Bidna Lane – RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to Policy RE5 in respect of Renewable Energy being applied to this case. Also concerned that the plans are not correct in the way that they are drawn and that the boundary to the property is much larger than shown on the plan.
Cllr Hames declared an interest and left the meeting having made a statement regarding the inaccuracies of the drawings.
(Vote: 11 For, 1 abst)
0432/08 Proposed extensions and alterations. Hillside, Springfield Crescent, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend Refusal. The proposal appears disproportionate in size in relation to the existing dwelling. The cramped nature of the site results in this proposal being over development.
Cllr Mrs Collins declared a personal interest in this application and abstained from voting.
(Vote: 12 For, 1 abst)
0437/08 Proposed demolition of existing concrete block shed and erection of new self-contained annexe with basement storage area. The Barn, Old Farm, Whitehorse Lane, Appledore – RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to Policy RE5 renewable energy being applied to the consent.
Cllr Miller declared a personal interest in this application.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0445/08 Proposed garage extension - 5 Green Gardens, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous) |