Refurbishment and conversion of existing derelict barn to restaurant and creation of new car parking facilities servicing existing hotel and new restaurant, together with associated junction improvement works.  (Removal of conditions 13 and 16 on planning permission DCSE2005/2343/F).

Refurbishment and conversion of existing derelict barn to restaurant and creation of new car parking facilities servicing existing hotel and new restaurant, together with associated junction improvement works.  (Removal of conditions 13 and 16 on planning permission DCSE2005/2343/F).

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Deegan, representing the local residents, spoke in objection to the application, and Mr Eacock, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

Councillor JA Hyde, the local ward member, advised members that the lane referred to as Benhall Lane in the report was actually an unnamed road and Benhall Lane was a larger road on the other side of the A40. She noted the existing conditions and felt that these conditions had already been breached if the hotel sale had already gone ahead. She noted the concerns regarding the narrow access and welcomed comments from other members.

Councillor G Lucas noted that the application came before the Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee in 2006. He advised members that the car park and the access lane became extremely congested during busy periods and therefore he felt that the conditions should remain.

In response to a question by Councillor H Bramer, the Principal Planning Officer advised that there had not been a breach of conditions on the site as the 2006 planning approval for a restaurant had not been implemented. He confirmed that none of the conditions would take affect until the planning permission was implemented.

In response to a question from Councillor PD Price, the Principal Planning Officer advised members that there was a parcel of land to the right of the fence, as highlighted on the site plan, which would accommodate the additional parking spaces. He confirmed that 24 parking spaces would be made available.

In response to further comments by members, the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the condition referred to a ‘restaurant’ and that at present there was not a restaurant on the site, just a dilapidated barn. He added that it would have been unreasonable for members to add a condition to the 2006 resolution to restrict the sale of the barn.

The Chairman noted the existing issues with vehicular access into the Castle Lodge car park and noted the existing issues with the Wilton roundabout. He felt that 24 parking spaces would be insufficient for the hotel and would only increase the traffic concerns for the local residents. He felt that the 2006 planning permission would not have been granted without the two conditions being considered for removal and therefore felt that they should remain.

RESOLVED

The Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee is minded to refuse the application subject to the reason for refusal set out below (and any further reasons for refusal felt to be necessary by the Head of Planning and Transportation) provided that the Head of Planning and Transportation does not refer the application to the Planning Committee.

            1)         The application is contrary to policy T11 and is refused on grounds of highway safety

If the Head of Planning and Transportation does not refer the application to the Planning Committee, officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be instructed to refuse the application subject to such reason for refusal referred to above.

[The Southern Team Leader advised members that he would not refer the application to the Head of Planning and Transportation]