Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council's Planning/ Licensing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 26 th August 2009.

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr C K Langton

Members - Cllrs Mrs A Boyle, Mrs M Cox, J Braund, A Eastman, P Hames, R H Osborne, S Robinson, R Tisdale and 16 parishioners

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs Mrs P D Biggs, Mrs S Collins and B Edwards

1. Minutes

The minutes of the Town Council's Planning/Licensing Committee held 29 th July 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. North Devon and Torridge Core Strategy

Cllr Tisdale reported that it was necessary to have some joined up thinking across the whole of North Devon in order to respond to the necessity of the additional housing. A pepper-potted approach would result in the existing infrastructure being swamped and there needed to be a credible alternative to the proposals currently on the table which had been put forward by landowners and developers. Cllr Hames advised that the areas currently proposed had been seen on previous consultation exercises and it was necessary to reject them all except for some provision in Appledore for affordable homes. He thought this area was not appropriate for strategic growth. Cllr Robinson was of the view that we do not have any more room and that the corridor between Bideford and Barnstaple was likely to provide a more sensible solution. He advised that he thought it appropriate for the four County Councillors to be involved to try to establish the principle of a “New Town” concept from which funds could be extracted for the necessary infrastructure. Cllr Osborne and Cllr Eastman both agreed with this concept. It was RESOLVED to support the proposal that the new development be accommodated in a condensed area on the corridor between Bideford and Barnstaple and that the idea of piecemeal development be rejected. The County Councillors agreed to report back on 16 th September when the policy could be firmed up and the District Council so advised. It was also RESOLVED to send a holding reply to the District Council Officers to the effect that the proposals currently being consulted upon are rejected and that credible alternatives will follow.

(Vote: 8 For, 1 abst)

3. Proposed Energy from Waste facility

Cllr Hames reported on his correspondence with the County Council and advised that they were now sending a Scoping Opinion. The Town Clerk advised that he had not received a reply to his letter. Cllr Hames reported that he understood that the date set for the planning application had been put back. It was RESOLVED to write again to the County Council.

(Vote: Unanimous)

4. Proposed Tennis Centre

The Town Clerk reported that Mr Lobato was unable to make the meeting on 16 th September but had now agreed to present the proposals at the full Council on 30 th September. The plans and other documents would be available for the Planning meeting on the 16 th and the Clerk recommended that the Planning Committee consider them at this time and then again at the Planning meeting on the 30 th where they would finalise their planning response for consideration by full Council the same evening.

Cllr Braund proposed that the Tennis Club supply a business plan as part of their submission. It was RESOLVED to accept the Town Clerk's recommendation and Cllr Braund's proposal.

(Vote: 8 For, 1 abst)

5. Town Clerk's Report

Monthly Financial Report – The Town Clerk presented the monthly financial report that included payments for this month and it was RESOLVED to accept.

(Vote: Unanimous)

Questions were raised with regard to the electricity costs at Northam Hall and the hours of work and cost of street sweeping in Northam.

Cllr Braund left the meeting at this juncture.

Cllr Mrs Cox 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.”

 

6. Planning applications

0462/09 Proposed erection of 3 bungalows and provision of public open space - Paddock rear of Gainsborough Drive, Westward Ho! – (amended plan) – RESOLVED - Council maintain objections to the development as before i.e. -

The Council noted that the only apparent amendment was the identification of part of the application site as a public open space. The Council maintains its objection to the application and recommends refusal as previously stated. It would also draw the attention of the District Council to the fact that a similar proposal close by was refused by the Inspector on appeal. The basis of his dismissal was that the character and appearance of this sensitive location close to the AONB would be harmed and the fact that the proposal was contrary to Policy CO3 of the Devon Structure Plan 2001-2016 and Policies DVT6, DVT7, ENV1, ENV5 and ENV6 of the Torridge District Local Plan 1997–2011, adopted in September 2004. The proposal is also close to the Coastal Preservation Zone where there have to be overwhelming reasons to justify why land should be developed.

(Vote: 5 For, 3 abst)

0671/09 Proposed first floor alteration to rear, including construction of balcony and staircase - Penkenna, 11 Nelson Road, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend approval if no overlooking.

(Vote: Unanimous)

0677/09 Proposed single storey rear extension - 27 Daneshay, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval but frosted fixed window to remain if a condition before, to prevent overlooking.

(Vote; Unanimous)

0683/09 Proposed bungalow - 1 & 2 Cintra Terrace, Glentorr Road, Orchard Hill – RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to no objections by local people and no overlooking.

(Vote: 7 For, 1 abst)

0686/09 Proposed enclose balcony area with UPVC double glazed conservatory type construction - Comino, North Street, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval if not in the conservation area. Materials need to be in sympathy.

(Vote: 7 For, 1 abst)

0692/09 Proposed alterations to including new dormer window and additional roof windows – amendment to planning permission 0879/03 - Kennet, Venton Drive, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend that there be no alterations to the original application.

(Vote: Unanimous)

0697/09 Proposed creation of gates - Northam House, Heywood Road, Northam

0710/09 RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

(Vote: 6 For, 2 abst)

0706/09 Proposed erection of two houses and parking - Land at Tomouth Road, Appledore – RESOLVED - Recommend Refusal. Serious scrutiny of the history of this site is required. Over-development of this site and serious overlooking. Intrusive into and out of conservation area.

Cllr Mrs Boyle declared an interest and left the meeting for this item.

(Vote: Unanimous)

0709/09 Proposed single storey extension to rear - 7 Chichester Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend refusal. Out of keeping with the area because of flat roof.

Cllr Tisdale declared an interest in this application.

(Vote: 7 For, 1 abst)

0736/09 Proposed siting of log cabin - 1 Pitt Avenue, Appledore – RESOLVED -

Recommend Refusal. Totally incongruous, out of keeping and over-development of site.

Cllr Osborne declared an interest and left the meeting for this item.

(Vote: Unanimous)

0742/09 Proposed removal of condition 2 (seasonal use) on 1053/09 – change of use from go-kart track land to mini portable golf course - Martins Amusements Go-Kart Track, Pebbleridge Road, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

(Vote: Unanimous)

0762/09 Proposed first floor extension over garage - 23 Bassetts Close, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

(Vote: 7 For, 1 abst)

0771/09 Proposed extension to dwelling - 39 Lily Close, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

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