Apologies were received from Councillors PA Andrews, BA Durkin, MAF Hubbard, RI Mathews, RL Mayo, PJ McCaull, and DB Wilcox.

To receive details of any Member 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 JA Hyde attended the meeting as a substitute member for Councillor RL Mayo and Councillor RJ Phillips for Councillor DB Wilcox.

Agenda item 4: P141408/F Barley Close,Woodseaves Road, Eardisley

Councillor JW Hope declared a non-pecuniary interest because he know residents as the local ward member.

Councillor RJ Phillips declared a non-pecuniary interest as a School Governor at Lady Hawkins’ School.

Agenda item 5: P141687/F Mid-Summer Orchard, (Land at Oakley Cottage) Ridge Hill

Councillor PJ Edwards declared a non-pecuniary interest because he had at one time been Cabinet Member with responsibility for the provision of Travellers sites.

Councillor DW Greenow declared a non-pecuniary interest because he knew the Clerk to the Parish Council, one of the public speakers.

(The Committee considered agenda item 5 first followed by agenda item 4.)

Proposed residential development comprising 16 open market houses and 9 affordable homes.

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

(Proposed residential development comprising 16 open market houses and 9 affordable homes.)

The Senior 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 C Skelton, of Eardisley Parish Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Ms N James, a resident, spoke in objection.  Mr J Spreckley, the Applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor JW Hope MBE spoke on the application.

He commented that whilst 55 letters of objection had been received these had come from 30 homes.  There were 270 residences in Eardisley.  This implied that the majority had no objection to the proposal.  The proposed development was in the centre of the village which had plentiful amenities.

In discussion the following principal points were made on the application:

·         The proposal seemed to be acceptable, appearing to fit in well, being of modest size and containing a range of properties. 

·         It was unfortunate that the Parish Council remained opposed to the development.  It seemed that a good level of consultation had occurred.

·         It was requested that further consideration be given to bridging the Folly Brook area to ensure access to the site.  It was also suggested that S106 monies could be used to improve the gully opening in Woodseaves Road to help address concerns about flash flooding.  The Highway Manager commented that drainage issues would be considered as part of the detailed design.

·         Clarification was sought on the means of escape in the event of a flood.  The Senior Planning Officer referred to the comments of the Emergency Planning Officer which had been included in the update to the Committee.

·         In relation to the S106 agreement which referred to a payment to Kington Youth Services it was requested that consideration be given to supporting local community providers.

·         It was questioned why the access to the development could not be directly off the A4111.  The Highways Manager commented that the necessary visibility splays could not be provided.

·         Buildings needed to be sustainable.  Construction to a level above Code Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes would be preferable.

·         It was requested that consideration be given to the public open space provision to maximise the public benefit.

The Development Manager clarified in relation to the S106 agreement that the level of contribution to St Mary’s Roman Catholic School was in accordance with a policy agreed in 2008.  Discussion of the S106 provisions could be held with the Chairman and local ward member.   The design of the Scheme including drainage would be governed by the proposed conditions,

The local ward member had no additional comments.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 obligation agreement in accordance with the Heads of Terms stated in the report, officers named in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

Change of use of land from agriculture to a one family traveller site, with stationing of one mobile home, one touring caravan, parking and turning area, re-designed access and septic tank.

The application was refused contrary to the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Change of use of land from agriculture to a one family traveller site, with stationing of one mobile home, one touring caravan, parking and turning area, re-designed access and septic tank.)

The Senior 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, Mrs K Greenow Clerk to Lower Bulllingham Parish Council, spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mrs S Glover, a resident, spoke in objection. 

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor P Sinclair-Knipe spoke on the application.

He commented on a number of issues including:

·         He acknowledged that applications of this type were often contentious.  However, there was a distinction to be drawn between a recent application at Bosbury determined by the Committee (application P141538 – Bosbury – 8 October 2014) which the Committee had approved.  In contrast to that application, the applicant had no local connection.  In addition that application had had only 4 letters of objection. In this case there were 54 letters of objection – virtually the entire local community.

·         The Parish Council and the objector who had spoken at the meeting had asserted that the report contained a flawed interpretation of the legislation and he supported that view.

·         An application for a bungalow on that site by the former owner of the land had been refused.

·         He did not support the application.

In discussion the following principal points were made on the application:

·         Reference was made to the application at Bosbury determined by the Committee on 8 October 2014 (application P141538) which the Committee had approved.  It was suggested that in contrast to that application there was no local connection with the area and no justifiable need.  In addition the site was not in a sustainable location there being no local facilities, no employment opportunities and an infrequent bus service.  The report stated that the lane to the site “is a rather hostile environment for pedestrians”.  Account should be taken of a recent appeal against refusal of permission for a dwelling in the locality near to the application site which had been rejected. 

·         Account needed to be taken of the view of the local community and the draft Neighbourhood Plan.

·         In response to a comment that there were two authorised travellers’ sites in the vicinity the Head of Development Management and Environmental Health commented that there were rarely vacancies at the Watery Lane site and occasionally 1-2 pitches were vacant at the Grafton site.  However, the issue was that the County as a whole had a shortfall of gypsy/traveller sites.

·         The name of the site’s location, Ridge Hill, and of a neighbouring property, Three Counties View, gave an indication as to the nature of the site.  The development would be visible and have a negative impact on neighbours and be dominant in the landscape.  It would have an adverse effect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

Date of next site inspection – 20 January 2015

Date of next meeting -21 January 2015