Source: http://democracy.torridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=1427&Ver=4
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 18:18:16+00:00

Document:
To receive the Minutes from the meeting held on 5 March 2018.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2018 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
There were no urgent matters, but the Chair advised Members that the date for the next Planning Evidence Gathering meeting would be confirmed in due course.
The Senior Planning Policy Officer addressed a concern raised in relation to the statement made by the Inspector in the Appeal Decision ref: APP/W1145/W/17/3188135, that policies DVT1 and DVT2C should be considered “out of date”. He confirmed that the policies are still sound policies and can still be used in robust planning decisions.
New development comprising of 58 holiday units, a Reception Building (admin, swimming pool, etc.) & associated infrastructure to replace the existing Caravan Park at Knapp House - Knapp House Activity Centre, Churchill Way, Northam.
Application 1/0256/2017/FULM - New development comprising of 58 holiday units, a Reception Building (admin, swimming pool, etc.) & associated infrastructure to replace the existing Caravan Park at Knapp House - Knapp House Activity Centre, Churchill Way, Northam.
“I would like a site visit by the Plans Committee, also for the application to be debated at Committee on whether such a development would be in breach of Policy DVT2C and ENV5. Also to consider given the outline nature of the application, the negative impact as viewed by many that will be seen from across the estuary as I have been given to understand that the site in question is outside the development area”.
Late representations received objecting to the application.
Tree Protection Plan – following comments from the Tree and Landscape Officer, the recommendation was to remove the Tree Protection Plan from Condition 7 (Landscaping). The Plan will then be required to be included in Condition 8.
Addendum to the report – this document had been produced in light of the joint Local Plan and the weight attributed to Policies within the Plan.
Policy NOR – refers to coalescence between Northam and Appledore. It had been established that the caravan park is not a green field site and is not divorced from a built up area. Policy NOR is in the emerging Local Plan and consideration should be given to this Policy.
Tapeley Park and Westleigh Conservation Area – Historic England raised concerns about the impact on these areas.
Tapeley Park is a Grade II* Listing and not Grade II.
Details of the Camp site Certificate of Lawful Use and Site Licence were given.
Mr Stephen Reed, Senior Historic Environment Officer at Devon County Council, addressed the meeting regarding the concern that the site is reputed to be a key battlefield site. He clarified his understanding of the site and stated that following surveys carried out and information to hand, there is a possibility it could have been a battle field site but there is no evidence to support this. An archaeology condition had been recommended - the scope of work to be agreed and implemented prior to any works being undertaken.
· Evidence of proven need – this is a judgement on whether Members felt the upgrading of accommodation was a proven need.
Removal of Condition 6 (Agricultural occupancy condition) of application 1/1278/76/41/5 - Mouna, Bidna Lane, Northam.
Application No. 1/1246/2017/FUL - Removal of Conditon 6 (Agricultural occupancy condition) of application 1/1278/76/41/5 - Mouna, Bidna Lane, Northam.
“This has an agricultural tie and I would like the removal of this discussed at Plans Committee”.
The application had been deferred by Members at the Plans Committee meeting held on 8 March 2018, to enable a formal Agricultural Assessment to be undertaken.
· The Authority cannot require the applicant to offer the land to be sold with the dwelling. The land is not tied to the dwelling through a S106 or conditions.
· Additional comments received from third parties – photographs of sheep grazing on the land.
· Policy DM28 as set out in the addendum carries significant weight when considering the application.
· The Agricultural Appraisal is a technical document requested by Members, and it was therefore considered appropriate that the document not be put on the website.
The Principal Planning Officer presented the report and advised Members of the main planning considerations.
Following a brief discussion it was proposed by Councillor Lock, seconded by Councillor Langmead that the application be approved.
That the application be Granted unconditionally.
Three dwellings (re-submission of 1/0095/2017/FUL with amended access) - Land To The West Of Hampton Close, Raleigh Hill, Bideford.
Application No. 1/0153/2018/FUL - Three dwellings (re-submission of 1/0095/2017/FUL with amended access) - Land To The West Of Hampton Close, Raleigh Hill, Bideford.
“So Committee Members can understand how an application turned down both Torridge District Council and the Appeals Inspector can be resubmitted unchanged with no S106 discussed”.
“For consideration as to whether this application runs contrary to policies DVT2C and DVT6 as it is outside of the development boundary and if allowed to go ahead it could set a precedent, void of the Local Plan”.
When discussing the application, Members noted and expressed concern that the application was virtually the same as the application previously refused by the Committee.
It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Julian that the application be refused for the reasons as stated on the previous application, namely contrary to the provisions of Policies DVT2C and DVT6 and paragraphs 55 and 109 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Senior Solicitor reminded Members that if they were minded to refuse the application contrary to recommendation, the item would stand deferred so that an implications report can be brought to a subsequent meeting for a final decision to be made, in accordance with the Committee’s terms of reference.
It was proposed by Councillor Watson, seconded by Councillor Hackett that the Committee was minded to approve the application.
A vote was taken on the first proposal by Councillor Christie that the application be refused.
The motion was carried. No vote was therefore taken on the second proposal.
The application remains to be determined, and will, therefore, be brought back to the next meeting with an outline of the implications of a final decision that is contrary to officer recommendation.
Change of use of agricultural land to a public pay and display car park with 171 spaces including 8 disabled and 8 private spaces and associated access and allocated space for 5 motorcycles - Wilkeys Field, Pebbleridge Road, Westward Ho!
Application No. 1/0221/2018/FUL - Change of use of agricultural land to a public pay and display car park with 171 spaces including 8 disabled and 8 private spaces and associated access and allocated space for 5 motorcycles - Wilkeys Field, Pebbleridge Road, Westward Ho!.
The planning application had been referred to Plans Committee as Torridge District Council is the applicant.
“That the boundary treatment hedge to continue all around the boundary of the site”.
It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Watson that the application be approved.
That the application be Granted subject to the conditions stated in the report and the additional condition as stated above.
Resolved: That in view of the fact that 3 hours had elapsed since the meeting had commenced, that the meeting should continue.
Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a single storey residential dwelling - Land West Of Deer Parks, Springfield, Hartland.
Application No. 1/1289/2017/FUL - Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a single storey residential dwelling - Land West Of Deer Parks, Springfield, Hartland.
“The siting within the AONB, outside the Hartland Development Boundary and concerns regarding highway safety and visual impact”.
It was proposed by Councillor Brown, seconded by Councillor Davis that the application be deferred to enable a site visit to take place.
Following a brief debate, it was proposed by Councillor Hackett, seconded by Councillor Langmead that the application be approved.
Outline application for erection of up to 143 dwellings, 1040 square metres of commercial freehold land for B1, B2 and B8 employment and public open space - Land At Grid Reference 249583 119849 (Former Meat Factory Site), Torrington, Devon.
Application No. 1/1165/2017/OUTM - Outline application for erection of up to 143 dwellings, 1040 square metres of commercial freehold land for B1, B2 and B8 employment and public open space - Land At Grid Reference 249583 119849 (Former Meat Factory Site), Torrington, Devon.
The planning application had been called into Plans Committee by the Ward Member, Councillor Brown for the Committee to consider the sustainability of the site.
· Environmental Protection had now removed their concerns regarding the adjacent site following confirmation that the applicant has an option to purchase the site.
· Two further letters of representation had been received.
The Planning Officer presented the application and advised Members of the main planning considerations.
· High percentage of affordable housing being offered – there was concern the Developers would wish to reduce this in the future. The Planning Officer advised that for this to happen, the developers would need to have robust financial reasons.
· Infrastructure – doctors and schools etc. Unable to accommodate further development.
It was accentuated by the Chair that Ward Members must be involved in discussions relating to the S106 Agreement.
It was proposed by Councillor Hackett, seconded by Councillor Lock that the application be approved.
It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Brown that the application be refused.
A vote was taken on the first proposal by Councillor Hackett that the application be approved.
No vote was therefore taken on the second proposal.
That the application be Granted subject to the agreement of a S106 Agreement and conditions as stated in the report.
Outline application (with all matters reserved) for car park and associated access, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure (affecting a public right of way) - Land At Caddywell Lane, Torrington, Devon.
Application No. 1/0702/2017/OUT - Outline application (with all matters reserved) for car park and associated access, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure (affecting a public right of way) - Land At Caddywell Lane, Torrington, Devon.
“For the Committee to consider whether this proposal alleviates the problems associated with parking provision for the school with regard to the distance from it”.
· Five late representations objecting to the application. No additional issues raised.
1. A number of concerns raised in the representations related to the management of the car park. A concern was also raised by the Police Liaison Officer. Members when considering the application, may wish to include a Legal Agreement.
2. It is only the site location plan listed in the Plans Schedule in the report to be approved.
· This application being presented prior to the linked subsequent application.
· No benefit of a car park in conjunction with the school.
· Those taking children to school will not walk on the road to park in the car park, and will still park on the road closest to the school.
Members were reminded that should the decision be contrary to the recommendation in the report, the application would stand deferred for an Implications Report to be brought back to this Committee.
The application remains to be determined, and will therefore, be brought back to a subsequent meeting of this Committee with an outline of the implications of a final decision that is contrary to officer recommendation.
Application No. 1/0246/2017/OUTM - Outline application for residential development of up to 181 dwellings and ancillary development, with vehicular access off Hoopers Way, Burwood Lane and Caddywell Lane (affecting a public right of way) - Land At Burwood Lane, Torrington, Devon.
“For the Committee to consider the DVT11 impact on amenity, DVT18 impact on development on traffic, DVT19 access and parking and DVT24 sewerage and drainage”.
Prior to the presentation Members questioned the need for this application to be presented in light of the Committee being minded to refuse the previous application. The Principal Planning Officer stated that the previous decision does have implications for this site, but purely on highway grounds, and advised that this application must be considered on its own merits.
The Senior Solicitor reminded Members that the terms of reference for this Committee states that if a decision is contrary to the recommendation in the report, the application would come back to the next meeting for a final decision.
The Devon County Highways Officer addressed the meeting stating that the need for a car park was a matter identified by the applicant, and was not a matter that would affect Member decision on this application.
· During the site visit Members had concerns with regard to black skies, loss of agricultural land and quality of land. The applicant had asked for points of clarification. In respect of dark skies the only one within the area is on Dartmoor.
· The S106 now seeking 30% affordable housing.
· An update from Gt Torrington Town Council asking that a further meeting be reconvened, as the previous site visit took place on May Fair day. It was explained that site visits are private meetings for Members of the Committee and Planning Officers only.
During the debate Members had concerns with regard to the provisional refusal of the previous application for the car park and questioned whether a car park could be provided within the development site. The Planning Officer confirmed that this was possible, and would be included within the legal agreement. The Senior Solicitor explained that the draft S106 Agreement required provision for a car park, but not necessarily the particular car park previously considered.
The Principal Planning Officer also advised that the submission of two applications was a decision that the applicant had made, despite advice given by Officers for just one application.
Outline application for three dwellings with all matters reserved (REVISED INFORMATION) - Monkleigh Barton Barns, Monkleigh, Devon.
Application No. 1/1105/2017/OUT - Outline application for three dwellings with all matters reserved (REVISED INFORMATION) - Monkleigh Barton Barns, Monkleigh, Devon.
The planning application had been called into Plans Committee by Councillor P Pennington for Members to visit the site, and look to see if any improvement can be made to give more parking and improve highway issues with regard to the site.
The Devon County Highways Officer addressed the meeting and clarified his reasoning as to why it was felt the resultant highway issues are not considered to be “severe”, and why the application offered safe and suitable access. He also addressed the issues raised and confirmed that Highways had no objections to the proposal put forward.
During the debate Members requested an amendment to Condition 6, namely that the times which delivery and construction traffic will travel to and from the site be restricted to 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm. There should be no delivery vehicles during the school start and finish times, including lunchtimes.
That the application be Granted subject to the conditions as stated in the report, and an amendment to Condition 6 as stated above.
Application No. 1/0053/2018/LBC - Infilling a Tuscan porch with glass panels - North Devon Maritime Museum, Odun House, Odun Road.
The planning application had been called into Plans Committee by Councillor P Pennington.
It became apparent during the discussions that Members considered the application was compliant with relevant policies. .
The Senior Solicitor reminded Members that if the application was to be approved contrary to recommendation, the item would stand deferred so that an implications report can be brought to a subsequent meeting for a final decision to be made, in accordance with the Committee’s terms of reference.
It was proposed by Councillor Davis, seconded by Councillor Julian that the Committee was minded to approve the application.
The application remains to be determined, and will therefore, be brought back to a subsequent meeting with an outline of the implications of a final decision that is contrary to officer recommendation.
List of Delegated Planning Decisions, Consultee Abbreviations and Application Types enclosed 16 February 2018 to 27 April 2018.
That the Planning decisions for the period 16 February 2018 to 27 April 2018 be noted.

References: Application No. 1

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