To note that at the meeting of Council on 28th May 2010, Councillor TW Hunt was re-elected as Chairman and Councillor RV Stockton was re-appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Members noted the re-election of Councillor TW Hunt and the re-appointment of Councillor RV Stockton as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors GFM Dawe, DW Greenow, RI Matthews, AP Taylor and DC Taylor.

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 PA Andrews was a substitute member for Councillor AP Taylor and Councillor PJ McCaull was a substitute member for Councillor RI Matthews.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2010.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To be noted.

The Committee noted the appeal in respect of B&M Home stores. Concern was expressed in respect of other stores who may be in breach of their planning conditions. The Assistant Director – Environment, Planning and Waste advised that it was important for the Council to take enforcement action in respect of B&M Home stores in order to protect the integrity of the town centre. He added that the Inspector had recognised the stance taken by the Council but felt that impact on the town centre was minimal and therefore quashed the enforcement notice.

The Assistant Director went on to advise the Committee in respect of the new enforcement team and ensured Members that they would take the necessary action in order to safeguard the retail vitality of the city centre.

RESOLVED

That the appeal report be noted.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman introduced all of the Officers present at the meeting.

It was noted that the previous meeting had been cancelled due to a lack of business and that a training session had taken place instead. The Chairman thanked members for their attendance and noted the positive feedback received in respect of the quality of the training session. He added that a future training session had been planned to cover planning enforcement.

Erection of a 60 bed (maximum) care home for the elderly.

Erection of a 60 bed (maximum) care home for the elderly.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided; the schedule of committee updates is appended to these minutes. He also reported the receipt of a further 16 letters of support which were received after the update sheet had been produced.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Sneddon, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor PGH Cutter, one of the local ward members, commented on a number of issues which had been raised by Councillor AE Gray, the other local ward member, these included:

• The site would have to be registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
• The Commission for Social Care Inspection felt that there were too many care homes within Herefordshire and recommended a move towards care within the community.
• Would a care home in an industrial area be appropriate?
• The loss of employment land would be a concern within Ross-on-Wye.
• The concerns raised by the traffic manager were echoed.

He went on to comment on further issues, including:

• The applicant stated in a recent letter that ‘Activity generated by the road and office block would create interest for the residents’, this statement was disputed.
• The applicants were well regarded within Ross-on-Wye and they had generated a number of new jobs through previous applications, however the current application was not suitable.
• The Southern Area Planning Committee had approved permission for 3 retail units on the site.
• Planting offered in a previous application had still not taken place.
• 6a Alton Road had stated that the noise emanating from their development exceeded levels stated in the applicant’s noise report.
• It was imperative that comments were received from the adult social care team before any decision was made.
• The application should be deferred until the comments from the adult social care team were received.

Members discussed the application and noted that both local and national policies had seen a move to care for people in their own homes. They also noted that the 8 care homes in the area offered a total of 232 beds with only 57 of these purchased by the Council. It was also noted that this number was unlikely to increase.

In response to a question, the Head of Development Management advised Members that the social care team had been consulted but that no response had been received.

Councillor Cutter was given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. He reiterated the issues raised in his opening statement.

RESOLVED

That determination of the application be deferred pending consultation with the adult social care team.

Outline planning permission for the construction of a Total Care facility to include 100 Assisted Living Units (Use Class C2 and C3).

Outline planning permission for the construction of a Total Care facility to include 100 Assisted Living Units (Use Class C2 and C3).

The Northern Team Leader gave a presentation on the application as well as thorough details of the planning and appeal history of the site. Details of the updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were also provided; the schedule of committee updates is appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Downes, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

• The application was very similar to the Rose Gardens site which had been extremely popular.
• The application site had been empty for 20 years with no industrial usage coming forward during that time.
• Extra industrial land had now become available at the Holmer and Three Elms trading estates.
• The affordable living units were welcomed.
• Concern was raised in respect of the limited car parking proposed on the site.
• Allocation of units should be assessed in order to give local residents first opportunity.

The Northern Team Leader advised Members that the allocation of the dwellings had been discussed with the Housing Manager and that the Section 106 agreement would be amended in order to give higher priority to local residents.

The Committee felt that the provision of smaller residential units would release a number of larger homes for sale on the open market. They noted that the application offered a total care package allowing the level of care offered to increase over a period of time. The creation of up to 140 jobs was welcomed, members felt that this helped to alleviate concerns regarding the loss of industrial use land.

In response to points raised by the Committee, the Northern Team Leader advised that the plan submitted with the application was an indicative layout plan and that all landscaping details would be considered during the full application process.

Councillor Andrews was given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. She reiterated the issues raised in her opening statement.

RESOLVED

That outline planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1          C02 Time limit for submission of reserved matters (outline permission)

2          C03 Time limit for commencement (outline permission

3          C04 Approval of reserved matters

4          C05 Plans and particulars of reserved matters

5          C12 Section 106 Agreement

6          C74 Staging of development

7          CAD Access gates

8          CAE Vehicular access construction

9          CAL Access, turning area and parking

10        CAP Junction improvement/off site works

11        CAT Wheel washing

12        CA2 Landscape maintenance arrangements

13        CB2 Secure covered cycle parking provision

14        CB3 Travel Plans

15        CCP Sustainable Homes Condition

16        CBK Restriction of hours during construction

17        CBO Scheme of surface water drainage

18        CAP Pedestrian crossing – Grandstand Road

19        CAP Bus shelters

20        CAP Upgrade to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive a verbal update regarding the recent changes to the structure of the Planning Services department.

The Assistant Director - Planning, Transport and Waste and the Head of Development Management gave a verbal update in respect of the recent changes to the structure of the planning services department.

To note the amended Planning Committee dates.

Members noted the dates for Planning Committee for 2010 – 2011 as amended at full Council on 28 May 2010.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted