To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor RC Hunt.

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

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.23 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor PJ McCaull was a substitute member for Councillor RC Hunt.

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

Agenda item 6, Minute 90, DCNE00091639F - TACK FARM EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, ULLINGSWICK, HEREFORD, HR1 3JQ

Councillor JE Pemberton, Personal.

Councillor PM Morgan, Personal.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman outlined the arrangements for the meeting, including the purpose of positioning the relevant local ward member(s) on a separate table to address the Committee.  It was reported that, due to timescale constraints for agenda preparation, the minutes of the last meeting would be included in the agenda for the 17 March 2010 meeting.  It was also reported that the items deferred at the last meeting would feature in forthcoming agenda.

To be noted.

The Committee received an information report.

RESOLVED:      That the report be noted.

Proposed warm up ménage, extend existing ménage and new site office/public address system.

Ward - Frome

Proposed warm up ménage, extend existing ménage and new site office / public address system.

The Northern Team Leader gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr. Hoskins spoke on behalf of Much Cowarne Group Parish Council and Mr. Telford spoke in objection to the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor PM Morgan, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

·         The points raised by the speakers had outlined the principal issues of concern.

·         The Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee had deferred the application in November 2009 to provide the opportunity for the applicant to address the concerns raised at the meeting.    Although correspondence had been received from the applicant’s agent, there had been no material change to the proposal and a number of issues raised by Members remained unresolved.

·         A public meeting about the proposal had been well attended and letters received from local residents demonstrated the levels of concern in the community.

·         Much Cowarne Group Parish Council and Ocle Pychard Parish Council had both raised a number of important considerations.  Councillor Morgan concurred with the parish councils that rural businesses should be supported but the residential amenity of surrounding properties also had to be taken into consideration.

·         It was considered that the proposal in its current form was contrary to Unitary Development Plan policies S1 (Sustainable Development) and RST1 (Criteria for recreation, sport and tourism).  In particular, attention was drawn to criteria 2 of policy RST1: ‘Proposals for the development of new recreation, sport and tourist facilities including change of use or improvement or extension to existing facilities will be permitted where the proposal: … 2. would not harm the amenity of nearby residents...’

·         Although the applicant’s agent had indicated that ’…there is no intention to increase the number of events’, the current frequency of events was uncontrolled and, even if the applicants did not wish to increase the number of events, any future owner could change their mind on this issue.

·         It was questioned whether compliance with the standards of the British Horse Society and British Show Jumping Association could result in the upgrading and scale of events.  The numbers of events held in recent months were outlined.

·         Councillor Morgan did not consider the comments of Environmental Health and Trading Standards to be helpful.  She said that the frequency of events and the fact that they generally occurred on weekends caused significant disturbance to local residents.  She added that any new developments in urban areas would be subject to conditions controlling hours of operation and noise and felt that it was reasonable for residents in Ullingswick to expect similar safeguards.

·         It was noted that the Transportation Manager had commented ‘No objection, but would have concerns about any intensification which could increase the volume of traffic and/or the frequency of events at this location’.  Councillor Morgan said that, without a limit on the nature or frequency of events, any such intensification could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Single storey extension to existing dwelling (following demolition of existing outbuilding) together with internal alterations.

Ward - Frome

Single storey extension to existing dwelling (following demolition of existing outbuilding) together with internal alterations.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor PM Morgan, the local ward member, commented on the application as follows:

·         Councillor Morgan was happy to support the application given the considerations outlined in the presentation and in the report.

·         It was noted that the comments of Putley Parish Council had been addressed through the recommended conditions.

·         It was also noted that the Traffic Manager and the Conservation Manager had no objections subject to conditions.

A number of Members supported the officer’s report and the comments of the local ward member. 

A Member suggested that, given an issue elsewhere in the County with a listed building being painted an unsuitable colour, there was a need to ensure that the extension was painted an appropriate colour to blend in with the rest of the building.

RESOLVED:

In respect of DMNE/092960/FH:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

INFORMATIVES:

In respect of DMNE/092961/L:

That listed building consent be granted subject to the following conditions:

INFORMATIVES:

Provisional Site Inspection Date - 16 March 2010

Next Meeting of the Planning Committee - 17 March 2010

The Chairman, referring to a situation that had arisen at the last meeting, clarified the arrangements for public speaking where more than one objector wished to address the committee.  It was reported that potential speakers were advised, before and at the meeting, about the need to share the allotted time.

The Chairman advised that the next meeting of the committee would be held on Wednesday 17 March 2010 at 10.00am, with a site inspection held the day before at 9.30am. 

The Chairman also advised that arrangements were being made for an additional meeting on Tuesday 30 March 2009 at 10.00am.