To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Dan Powell and Diana Toynbee.

To receive declarations of interests in respect items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2023.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2023 be approved.

Outline planning application for a sustainable urban extension comprising: up-to 250 dwellings; open space, allotments and landscaping; school expansion land; areas of children's play; sustainable urban drainage infrastructure; internal roads; and associated infrastructure. Detailed approval is sought for principal means of access and layout with all other matters reserved.

Application approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

Councillor Clare Davies left the committee to act as the local ward member for the following application.

The principal planning officer provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda, as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Page spoke on behalf of Bromyard and Winslow Town Council, Mr Whitehorn, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Smith, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. There was concern regarding the detail in the update sheet outlining the inclusion of a footpath along the A44 in the section 106 agreement. This was a narrow road with inadequate width to accommodate a footway. Pedestrians from the development had alternative walking routes and should be discouraged from walking along the A44. The application was supported but with the removal of the section 106 agreement concerning the footway along the A44.

The committee debated the application. There was support for the application but concern was expressed regarding the proposed footway along the A44. Pedestrians from the development site should be encouraged to use alternative routes but it was accepted that some pedestrians would walk down to the A44; the provision of a footway along the A44 would provide some safety to these pedestrians.

The local Ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Bruce Baker and seconded by Councillor Stef Simmons. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED - that 

That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 obligation agreement within 6 months of the date of Planning Committee to secure:

-       Contributions as set out / requires

-       Purchase of Phosphate Credits (in full or phased)

outline planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions or variations thereof considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

To erect up to 9.5 hectares of fixed Polytunnels over arable (soft fruit); the relocation and upgrading of a farm access/egress on the C1124; the erection of a 648 m2 profiled-steel-clad portal frame General Purpose Agricultural Storage Building; the erection of 6 no. 14.7 metre diameter 600 m3 capacity Water Storage Tanks. Laying out and surfacing (in loose granular material) of internal farm tracks.

Application approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

Councillor Peter Hamblin left the committee to act as the local ward member for the following application.

The principal planning officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda, as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Lees, spoke on behalf of Marden Parish Council, Mrs Suart, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr White, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained that the applicant was a successful and significant local business and employer. The current application had involved extensive consultation and a number of representations had been made in objection and support. As a consequence of the representations received the application had been amended. A number of objections focused on highways issues but these had been addressed and it was confirmed that there would be a minor amount of vehicle movements, involving tractors and trailers, to the site.

The committee debated the application. During the course of the debate the committee encouraged the extension of the 30 mph speed limit up to the proposed entrance to the development and the replacement of any hedging lost as a consequence of the entrance to the site.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Bruce Baker and seconded by Councillor Richard Thomas. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – that:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

Proposed restoration of the farmhouse, the conversion of the granary attached to the farmhouse to an annex; the conversion of a stone and timber framed barn to form two dwellings; the erection of two new build dwellings in lieu of an extant permission for the conversion of the modern portal framed agricultural building to two dwellings; the erection of solar panels; and all associated works.

Application 223199 and application 223432 approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The senior planning officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Ms Salter, spoke on behalf of Peterchurch Parish Council, Mr Eacock, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Tompkins, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained concerns with the proposed development. The traffic that would be generated by the construction of the new development would have an adverse and significant impact upon Long Lane in Peterchurch. Concern had been expressed locally over the use of the Class Q permission for the development. The conversion of the barn under Class Q should replicate the shape and form of the original building as closely as possible. There were questions concerning the form of the converted buildings with many local residents expressing the view that this was not acceptable under the Class Q permission. There was concern that the application before the committee did not represent a betterment to the fall-back position under the Class Q permission. There was insufficient capacity in the local water supply and it was queried how the new development would overcome this problem. The proposed discharge of grey water into Black Brook was a concern. The distance of the discharge pipe from the development to the Brook would result in the dispersal of wastewater onto the land before reaching the Brook.

The committee debated the application. There was division among the members of the committee. To some members it was felt that the development represented the protection and enhancement of traditional buildings in the rural locality without a significant, adverse impact on the landscape. It was the contention of other members of the committee that the proposal represented development in open countryside and issues raised by local residents regarding the discharge of wastewater into the local Brook required further investigative work.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.

A motion that application 223199 and application 223432 be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendations was proposed by Councillor Bruce Baker and seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Foxton. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – that:

223199

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

Proposed demolition of existing side and rear extension, erection of replacement side and rear extensions and new front porch.

Application approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

Councillor Terry James left the committee to act as the ward member for the following application.

Councillors Polly Andrews and Elizabeth Foxton left the meeting at 1:34 p.m.

Councillor Claire Davis assumed the chair for the following application. 

The Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application.

The committee debated the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.

A motion that the application be approved, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation, was proposed by Councillor Stef Simmons and seconded by Councillor John Stone. The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

INFORMATIVES: