Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council's Planning/ Licensing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 27th November 2007
PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr C K Langton
Members - Cllrs Mrs P Biggs, Mrs S G Collins, J Braund, A Eastman, B M Edwards, P Hames, R J Johnson, R W A Miller, R H Osborne, S Robinson, R M M Tisdale together with 7 parishioners
Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllr Mrs M Cox.
1. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Councils' Planning/Licensing Committee held 14th November 2007 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Hames expressed his concern with regard to the short period of time allowed by the District Council's Planning Officers as few of the questions that had been prepared have been answered. It was RESOLVED to invite them to a future meeting with the request that no timescale be put on their attendance and that the matter be raised at the next Liaison Committee meeting.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2. Minutes of the Town Council's Planning/Licensing Committee held 21 st November 2007
The Town Clerk reported that he had put together the comments on the Richmond Dock Planning application having regard to the various comments made at the meeting, together with the various submissions accepted by and put forward by Members. He suggested that a holding reply should be sent to the District Council pending agreement of the final submission. It was RESOLVED to accept the Town Clerk's advice and Councillors Edwards, Hames and Robinson be delegated to meet with the Town Clerk to finalise the Town Council's response.
(Vote: Unanimous)
3. Draft Supplementary Planning Documents
Members considered the Draft Supplementary Planning Documents, the Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Documents and the Torridge District Local Development Framework Core Strategy. It was generally agreed that the Council needed to respond to these documents but concern was expressed on the limited time scale available. It was RESOLVED to advise the Community Planning Manager of the District Council that they would like the opportunity to discuss the Council's concerns when they meet with her to discuss the results of the DAWN Public consultation.
(Vote: Unanimous)
4. Planning applications
1034/07 23 Kipling Court, Westward Ho! Proposed flue for gas boiler in outside wall (kitchen) on south side RESOLVED - Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
1226/07 9 Pitt Hill, Appledore Ground and first floor extension to rear of 1227/07 dwelling to include demolition and reconstruction of garden wall RESOLVED Council concerned over the need for proper materials and matching with the existing property. Concern that the reconstructed garden wall needs to be in keeping. Conservation Officer needs to be consulted.
Cllr Osborne declared a personal interest in this item as the property is close to where he lives.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1244/07 23 and 25 One End Street, Appledore Proposed alterations and extension to the rear of the two properties RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to proper materials being used and Conservation Officer satisfied. Concerned about the rear boundary wall need for this to be protected.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1275/07 Land at Raleigh Hill, Northam Proposed retirement care village comprising care home, independent living apartments (84 no.) together with social/well-being and communal facilities RESOLVED Recommend refusal for the following reasons:
(1) This land is part of the rural gap in the parish plan and as a green field should be protected from any form of development. It is understood that at the Local Plan Public Inquiry the Planning Inspector advised that this was not a suitable site for development.
(2) This development would endanger the local wildlife corridor within the site and along the stream. It is considered that the wildlife support supplied with the application is not as detailed as it should be.
(3) This proposal is considered to be over-development of the site with some flats up to four storeys high.
(4) This would put increased problems on the already over-stretched local sewage treatment plant.
(5) There would be a potential flooding risk as a result of run off.
(6) Construction vehicles would have to use Raleigh Hill, a narrow hill, not suitable for such regular use.
(7) Raleigh Hill would need to be repaired by developers after the completion of construction.
(8) The planned entrance on Lenwood Road is on a dangerous, narrow lane.
(9) The plan includes parking for 85 vehicles. This volume of regular traffic flow on Raleigh Hill would result in considerable permanent increase of traffic using this unclassified road.
(10) Service vehicles would also have to use Raleigh Hill.
(11) Raleigh Hill would need considerable improvement including pavements to cater for this increase in traffic.
(12) The junction at the bottom of Raleigh Hill with Heywood Road is dangerous.
(13) If there is a relatively high purchase price plus high management charges it is unlikely to free up local housing stock.
(14) If it imports the younger retired it will have knock on implications for the local health and Social Services facilities as the residents become older.
(15) The report envisages high levels of care support. This does not fit in with the leisure facilities proposed.
(16) If the leisure facilities are to be utilised fully they will have to be made available to non-residents thus generating more traffic using Raleigh Hill.
A site meeting is essential to fully understand the implications of the proposals and the Town Council would wish to receive an invitation to attend.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1283/07 4 Broadlands, Northam Proposed single storey extension RESOLVED - Recommend approval Cllr Langton declared a prejudicial interest and left the room for this item.
(Vote: Unanimous)
1294/07 21 Kenwith Road, Raleigh Proposed two storey and single storey side extension RESOLVED - Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
1301/07 The Old Lime Kiln, Torridge Road, Appledore Proposed extensions and alterations to dwelling RESOLVED - Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
1302/07 17 Irsha Street, Appledore Proposed replacement dormer, renewal of existing roof, alteration to internal walls and staircases including new staircases, demolition of rear conservatory and bathroom and replacement with new conservatory RESOLVED - As with other Listed Buildings in the Conservation Area the Council is concerned that appropriate materials and designs are utilised. Important that the Conservation Officer is consulted.
(Vote: Unanimous)