|
Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council’s Planning/ Licensing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 15th February 2006.
PRESENT: Chairman - Deputy Town Mayor – Cllr K A Lane Members - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, R D Bradford MBE, P. Hames, R Tisdale P Waters
Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs E J Davies and R W A Miller
1. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of the Town Council’s Planning/Licensing Committee held 31st January 2006 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Prior to any participation in the business of the Planning Committee, Councillor Tisdale 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.”
2. On a proposal by Councillor Mrs Cox, seconded by Cllr Hames it was RESOLVED to consider item 5 on the agenda, planning applications, before considering item 4.
(Vote: Unanimous)
3. Planning applications 2407/05 Erection of new Baptist Church at Westward Ho! – Reserved matters application – RESOLVED – Recommend approval. Would ask that this be carried out to Building Research Establishment Eco Standard. (Vote: Unanimous) 0113/06 St Helen’s Bungalow, Heywood Road – Proposed single storey extension - RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
Cllr Mrs Cox declared a personal interest and did not vote on this application.
(Vote: 5 For, 1 Abst)
0117/06 28 Goodwood Park Road – Proposed Garage to side of dwelling – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0123/06 18 Amyas Way – Proposed erection of white conservatory to rear of property – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0130/06 56 Lenwood Country Club – Proposed change from 10 month holiday occupancy to 12 month holiday occupancy – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
4. 1379/05 - 12 Holiday Lodges – Land adjacent Royal North Devon Golf Club
Members considered what action to take in respect of the above application which had been approved by the District Council although Northam Town Council had recommended refusal. It was RESOLVED to write the following letter to the Chief Executive of the District Council with copies to the Chair of Plans Committee, Vice Chair of Plans Committee, Government Office South West and Cllr William Isaac: -
(Vote: Unanimous)
“APPLICATION 1379/2005 12 HOLIDAY LODGES, ROYAL NORTH DEVON GOLF CLUB
My Council views with concern the decision of the District Council to approve the above application. At their meeting last night they resolved to encourage the District Council to re-visit the application and to reconsider the various policy issues as detailed in the Officer’s report. There are strong policies within the Local Plan and Structure Plan which clearly intend to protect this area and prevent this type of development occurring “within the rural gap” as defined under ENV6 and ENV5. The Council is of the view that the District Council’s Officers have been swayed by some economic argument which has not been detailed, (see conclusion of Officer’s report). It is also doubtful that a Section 106 Agreement could be sufficiently robust and enforceable so as to ensure that the only persons occupying the lodges are those playing golf. It is also difficult to understand what this really means, for example – if a member of the public books a lodge, does a father, mother and children have to play golf? How often do they have to play? Can they do nothing else? And how do you know? In other words a totally unenforceable condition put forward to convince that this application should be approved.
My Council would like the Planning Committee to address the following items: -
(1) Has an independent economic appraisal been carried out? (2) Has the Environment Agency submitted opinions of possible flood risk associated with the area? (3) Has consideration been given to the hostile growing conditions on Northam Burrows with reference to landscaping? (4) Has reference been made to the effect on the Biosphere zone?
It is appreciated that the Parish Council has no statutory power to ask you to reconsider this application, However, District Councillor Tisdale wishes to put his name forward and request that this application be brought back to the next Planning Committee for further consideration.”
|