Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the Minutes from the meeting held on 7 September 2023.

It was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Hepple and –

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2023 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 7, Abstentions 2)

Matters Arising:

Minute 113 - Appeal Decisions

Following a request for an update from Councillor Christie, the Planning Manager advised that relevant information and costs will be publicised once the costs have been agreed with the appellant.  

Members with interests to declare should refer to the Agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being considered.

Elected Members of Devon County Council and Town/Parish Councils who have considered a planning application by virtue of their membership of that Council hold a personal interest and are deemed to have considered the application separately and the expressed views of that Council do not bind the Members concerned who consider the application afresh.

The Chair reminded Members to declare their interests when the relevant item was up for discussion.  Declarations of interest were made as indicated below and in accordance with the previously agreed arrangements for “dual-hatted” Members.

That the Agenda as circulated be agreed.

Information to be brought forward with the permission of the Chair.

There were no urgent matters brought forward.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any prior requests to speak made by members of the public and to advise of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

The Chair advised the Committee and members of the public of the details in respect of the Council’s public participation scheme.

The information, recommendations and advice contained in the reports are correct as at the date of preparation which is more than ten days in advance of the Committee meeting.   Due to these time constraints any changes or necessary updates to the reports will be provided in writing or orally at the Committee meeting.

The following Councillors had attended the site visit listed below:

Demolition of existing Surf Bay Holiday Park reception building. Proposed mixed use new two storey reception building & holiday unit. (resubmission of 1/1251/2022/FUL) - Surf Bay Leisure, Surf Bay Holiday Park, Golf Links Road

The following Councillors had attended the site visit listed below:

Councillors:  R Lock, P Hames, P Christie, K Hepple, D Smith, J Whittaker,

P Pennington and C Leather

Application No. 1/0308/2023/FUL - Demolition of existing Surf Bay Holiday Park reception building. Proposed mixed use new two storey reception building & holiday unit. (resubmission of 1/1251/2022/FUL)

- Surf Bay Leisure, Surf Bay Holiday Park, Golf Links Road

Interests:  Councillors P Hames, C Leather and J Whittaker declared personal interests – dual hatted – Northam Town Council

Officer recommendations:  Grant

The planning application had been called into Plans Committee by the Ward Member, Councillor Hodson for the following reasons:

“Scale of the building visible from the Northam Burrows, a SSSI, contrary to Local Plan policy DM08A (Landscape and Seascape Character).   A three-storey structure will dominate the street scene, the roof terrace a recreational space, would be likely to have a detrimental effect on the privacy and the right for quiet enjoyment of nearby residencies and gardens.”

The Committee were advised that, although a map had not been produced on the report due to a formatting error, it will be shown on the presentation.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report and informed Members of the main planning considerations.

During the debate the following matters were raised and addressed by Officers:

Members did not agree there would be an issue of overlooking as stated by the speakers.

Conditions – it was recommended that a condition be imposed that no furniture be allowed on the balcony.  The Planning Manager explained a condition was not necessary as the balcony is at the rear of the building and was not prominent in the street scene, therefore was not a site amenity concern.   

Councillor Hames proposed that the hours of work condition be amended to an 8am start.  The Planning Manager advised that the hours stated in the condition – 7am to 7pm – had been the recommendation of the Environment Protection Team who are professional statutory consultees.  The Committee did not support the proposal.

It was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Pennington that the application be approved.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 7, Against 2)

RESOLVED:

That the application be Granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Claire Stacey addressed the Committee objecting to the application

Katie Carr addressed the Committee objecting to the application

Rebecca Fearnley, Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application

Conversion of barn to holiday let - Barn At South Yeo, Yeo Vale, Devon

The following Councillors had attended the site visit listed below:

Councillors:  R Lock, P Hames, P Christie, K Hepple, D Smith, J Whittaker,

P Pennington and C Leather

Application No.1/0791/2022/FUL - Conversionof barnto holidaylet -Barn AtSouth Yeo, YeoVale, Devon

Interests:  None

Officer recommendations:  Grant

The planning application had been referred to Plans Committee because the applicant is related to a Council member of staff.

A single presentation will be given for applications 1/0791/2022/FUL and 1/0792/2022/LBC.

The Planning Manager presented the report and advised Members of the main planning considerations for application 1/0791/2022/FUL and the Conservation Officer reported on the main planning considerations for application 1/0792/2022/LBC.   

A brief debate followed, during which it became evident that Members were in support of the applications.

It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Whittaker that the application be approved.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For - Unanimous)

RESOLVED:

That the application be Granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Mr Chris Evans, Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Conversionof barnto holidaylet -Barn AtSouth Yeo, YeoVale, Devon

The following Councillors had attended the site visit listed below:

Councillors:  R Lock, P Hames, P Christie, K Hepple, D Smith, J Whittaker,

P Pennington and C Leather

Application No.1/0792/2022/LBC - Conversionof barnto holidaylet -Barn AtSouth Yeo, YeoVale, Devon

Interests:  None

Officer recommendations:  Grant

The planning application had been referred to Plans Committee because the applicant is related to a Council member of staff.

A single presentation was given on applications 1/0791/2022/FUL and 1/0792/2022/LBC.

The Conservation Officer informed Members of the main planning considerations.

It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Hepple that the application be approved.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For - Unanimous)

RESOLVED:

That the application be Granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Demolitionof storageshed anderection of1 no. dwelling- MolesworthArms Shed,Pyworthy,Holsworthy.

The following Councillors had attended the site visit listed below:

Councillors:  R Lock, P Hames, P Christie, K Hepple, D Smith, J Whittaker,

P Pennington and C Leather

Application No.1/0507/2023/FUL - Demolition of storage shed and erection of 1 no. dwelling - Molesworth Arms Shed, Pyworthy, Holsworthy

Interests:   Councillor Hepple declared a personal interest – as the applicant - left the room and took no part in the debate and discussion making

Officer recommendations:  Grant

The planning application had been referred to Plans Committee because the applicant is an Elected District Councillor.

The Planning Officer presented the report and informed Members of the main planning considerations.

Councillor Leather proposed that Condition 5 be withdrawn because it referred to Licensing hours and, in his opinion, was not a planning condition.  The Principal Planning Officer addressed the concerns and clarified planning rules and regulations in relation to this issue.

It was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Wheatley that the application be approved, subject to Condition 5 being withdrawn.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

RESOLVED:

That the application be Granted subject to Condition 5 being withdrawn and the remaining conditions as set out in the report.

Appeal Decision Summary and Reports of Planning Inspectorate

Summary

Appeal Decision – Application No. 1/0269/2022/FUL – Hartland Forest Golf Club

Appeal Decision – Application No. 1/0120/2022/CPE – Great Potheridge House

Appeal Decision – Application No. 1/0764/2021/FUL – Great Potheridge House

Appeal Decision – Application No. 1/1042/2022/PIP – Land at Synocks Farm

The Committee noted the Appeal Decisions.

Cost Decision 3305767 and 3305711

The Committee noted the Costs on Appeal.

There are no Delegated Decisions – AGMB applications

There were no Delegated Decisions.

List of Delegated Planning Decisions, Consultee Abbreviations and Application Types enclosed for the period 23.08.2023 to 21.09.2023.

RESOLVED

That the Planning decisions for the period 23.08.2023 – 21.09.2023 be noted.