Light industrial units B1 use.

Light industrial units B1 use.

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.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Rollings, the applicant, spoke in support of his application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor AE Gray, one of the local ward members, commented on a number of issues, including:

• That she was concerned that any planting requested in the conditions could be removed after 5 years.
• That there appeared to be a lack of information from the applicant
• There was a need for closer working between the applicant and the planning department.

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, including:

• Members were thanked for attending the site visit.
• The site was located on an industrial estate.
• The site had engineering concerns but these could be resolved.
• The transport issues had now been resolved.
• It was important to get small industrial units in Ross on Wye to promote business.
• There were a few units available on Alton Road but not enough.
• The future proposed development at Model Farm was noted.
• There was need to support local industry.
• The applicant was a local man willing to invest in the town.
• At a recent LDF meeting in Ross someone stated that they could not find a suitable premise in Ross so would have to take their business elsewhere.
• Ecology concerns can be addressed.
• The application should not be refused but it could be deferred pending further discussions and information from the applicant.

The Development Control Manager read out an email from Councillor BA Durkin which had been received on the morning of the meeting. He advised Members that he was the adjoining ward member and had not been consulted or had any discussions with the planning department at any stage of the application process. He noted the concerns of the Parish Council and endorsed the Senior Planning Officer’s recommendation.

In response to a question, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the Conservation Manager had not received any additional information from the applicant regarding the ecological interest of the site.

Members discussed the application and had some concerns in respect of the large scale landscaping that would be required prior to any building work being commenced on the site. There were also concerns raised in respect of ecology on the site and the Committee therefore felt that there was a requirement for further ecological details to be submitted by the applicant. Due to these issues they decided that deferring the determination of the application would be in the interests of all parties concerned.

The Development Control Manager noted the Committees wish to defer the determination of the application but advised them that some ecology reports can only be conducted at certain times of the year. He also added that ecology was one of the three grounds for refusal and that in his opinion there was a need to overcome the acceptability of development on the site.

Councillors Cutter and Gray were given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. They reiterated the issues raised in their opening statements and also made a number of addition points, including:

• The reasons for refusal outlined in the report could be addressed through further dialogue with the applicant.
• Ross Rural Parish Council supported the application.

RESOLVED

That determination of the application be deferred pending further discussions with the applicant in respect of the possible loss of ecology on the site and the availability of other sites as outlined in refusal reasons 1 and 3 of the Officer’s report.