Apologies were received from Councillors CR Butler, DW Greenow, EL Holton, TM James and WC Skelton.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor PA Andrews substituted for Councillor James, Councillor JA Hyde for Councillor Butler, Councillor RJ Phillips for Councillor Greenow and Councillor SD Williams for Councillor Skelton.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

Agenda item 5: 172919 – Land to the west of Church House Farm, Moreton on Lugg

Councillor J Hardwick declared a non-pecuniary interest because he knew the applicant.

Agenda item 6: 171863&171864 – Old Court Brobury

Councillor JA Hyde declared a non-pecuniary interest because she knew one of the public speakers.

None.

Outline planning application for the erection of up to 64 dwellings (including 35% affordable), access and associated works. Matters of appearance, layout, landscape and scale are reserved for future consideration.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, with an additional condition.

(Outline planning application for the erection of up to 64 dwellings (including 35% affordable), access and associated works. Matters of appearance, layout, landscape and scale are reserved for future consideration.)

(Councillor KS Guthrie was fulfilling the role of local ward member and accordingly had no vote on this application.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application which included some updated information.

In particular, she reported that paragraph 6.29 of the report required correction and invited the Committee to support an additional condition that would ensure that any reserved matters submitted would reflect the housing mix set out in the Housing Manager’s comments at section 4.12 of the report with the S106 agreement ensuring a local connection for the affordable housing.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr B Garbett, of Moreton and Lugg Parish Council spoke on the scheme expressing reservations, as did Mrs H Philpotts of behalf of Pipe and Lyde Parish Council.  Mr R Aston, a local resident, spoke in objection.  Mr G Wakefield, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor KS Guthrie, spoke on the application.

She made the following principal comments:

·        She expressed particular concern about the effect of the increased traffic the development would generate mindful that traffic flows on the A49 were already high with vehicles queuing to access that road.  She disagreed with Highways England’s view set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report.  Regard should be had to the cumulative effect of development in the area; the application should not be considered in isolation.

·        There were issues over speed and poor visibility with the proposed access.  It would be better if the access were opposite St Andrews Close.

·        Welsh Water’s response did not reflect local concerns that the sewerage system was already at capacity. 

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        The mix of housing proposed by the Housing Manager should be supported.

·        It would be desirable for the developer to work with the local community to achieve a design suited to the location.

·        There must be a point at which the Highways Agency and Welsh Water must concede that the cumulative development in the area would have a significant impact.  There was a concern that the responses of both agencies did not reflect the experience of the local community on the ground.

·        The proposed access would require an excavation of the frontage.  The difference in level from the height of the footpath to the road level was such that it was questioned how a satisfactory footpath could be achieved.

·        An access from the layby further to the west opposite St Andrews Close would be preferable.  The bus stop could also be relocated to that position.

·        Councillor Edwards expressed particular concern about what he considered to be a longstanding failure to provide satisfactorily for the maintenance of on-site public open space on developments.  He had no confidence in the provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

Proposed conversion of existing barns and annex to provide 2 additional dwellinghouses.    

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed conversion of existing barns and annex to provide 2 additional dwelling houses.)

(Councillor RJ Phillips fulfilled the role of local ward member and accordingly had no vote on this application.)

The Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr E Pearson-Gregory of Staunton on Wye Parish Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mrs K Dyke, a local resident, spoke in objection.  Mr A Coppock, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

Councillor RJ Phillips was fulfilling the local ward member role on behalf of Councillor Skelton. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution he spoke on the application making the following principal comments:

·        The buildings were a good example of a traditional Herefordshire farmstead.  There were few now remaining.  It was important that the integrity of the site was retained.

·        The application had been the subject of protracted discussions and attended by a number of errors in processing it.  This had created frustration and led to the Parish Council and residents losing confidence in the process.

·        There was particular concern about the unique status of the two barns each of which was listed in its own right.  He questioned whether the Committee had been presented with sufficient information to determine the application and suggested that consideration be deferred pending a full appraisal of the buildings and their setting. 

·        Concerns about drainage and ecology and the suggestion that there was contaminated land on the site also required further consideration.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        The proposal appeared capable of being carried out satisfactorily, subject to the proposed conditions and the council maintaining a watching brief to ensure that the character of the buildings was preserved.  It would ensure that the barns were put to good use.

·        Some members spoke in support of deferring consideration of the application until further detailed survey work had been undertaken.

·        It was observed that the Ecologist had initially expressed some concerns about the discharge of phosphates from the proposed package treatment plant to the watercourse, leading to the River Wye SAC/SSSI and it would be important to ensure that the conditions required by the Ecologist were adhered to.

The Lead Development Manager (LDM) commented that condition 3 as set out at page 61 of the agenda papers provided that no development should commence until the specified survey had been carried out.  The historic buildings officer supported the application subject to conditions and Historic England had no objection.  He also clarified in relation to a question about the removal of permitted development rights that condition 4 on page 59 of the agenda papers removed such rights and any proposals to construct new buildings on the site would require an application for planning permission.  In relation to concerns about the sequencing of works and ensuring the completion of works to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

To erect signage to the external facade on the east side of the building and on the chimney breast.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(To erect signage to the external facade on the east side of the building and on the chimney breast.)

(Councillors Kenyon and Williams had left the meeting and were not present during consideration of this application.)

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor EPJ Harvey, spoke on the application.

She explained why signage was considered necessary and reported that there had been considerable consultation which had included user groups and the friends of the Masters House, representing a good example of consultation by the council.  A number of options had been considered before the current proposal had been settled upon and she supported it.

The Lead Development Manager commented that the solution was considered the best for the setting, which he noted was due to be enhanced by further landscaping works.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  She had no additional comment.

RESOLVED: That Listed Building Consent be granted subject to the following conditions and any other conditions considered necessary by officers names in the scheme of delegation to officers:

1.         D01 Time limit for commencement (Listed Building Consent)

2.         B01 Development in accordance with the approved plans

Date of next site inspection – 5 December 2017

Date of next meeting – 6 December 2017