To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors William Parr and Madge Shineton.

To confirm the minutes of the South Planning Committee meeting held on 10 January 2017.

Contact Linda Jeavons (01743) 257716.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Central Planning Committee held on 10 January 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5 pm on Thursday, 2 February 2017.

There were no public questions or petitions received.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

With reference to planning application 16/02758/FUL, Councillors Andy Boddington and Robert Tindall declared that they were members of The Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership.

With reference to planning application 16/02758/FUL, Councillor David Turner declared that he was a member of The Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership and The Shropshire Hills AONB Transition Board.

Outline application for the erection of a new foodstore (Use Class A1), associated petrol filling station, and associated car parking to include access.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the location and indicative layout.  

Members had undertaken a site visit on a previous occasion and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting.

Mr D Appleton, representing Love Ludlow Campaign, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr R Heighway, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor C Sheward, representing Ludlow Town Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor P Lawley, representing Ludford Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

With the permission of the Chairman and due to the fact that additional speakers had been permitted to speak against the proposal, the applicant was permitted to speak for up to six minutes.  Mr S McGrath, the applicant, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees and responded to questions from the Committee regarding shopping habits, the impact the proposal would have on the vitality and viability of Ludlow town centre and the impact on Ludlow town centre if an alternative supermarket chain other than Lidl chose to develop a store on the Rocks Green site. 

In the ensuing debate, Members noted the comments of all speakers and considered the submitted plans.  Members held differing views with some expressing concerns regarding the impact on the hinterland, Ludlow town centre, highway safety and access arrangements.  Other Members supported the proposal; commented that the proposal would create employment; acknowledged that the application was an Outline application and the layout was not for consideration at this time; and any future application for reserved matters could be determined by this Committee. 

In response to questions from Members, the Principal Planner drew Members’ attention to the comments of Shropshire Council Highway Officers and reiterated that highway grounds would not be significant enough to justify refusal.  She reiterated that the applicant was entitled to submit an Outline application and there was no justifiable reason for Shropshire Council to request a full application.  Shropshire Council Officers had considered the submitted indicative layout as being unsuitable but were of the opinion that a different layout that would protect the residents of Rocks Green could be achieved.  She further drew Members’ attention to the Retail Impact Assessment as set out in the report; and explained that a condition restricting the proposal to a named foodstore chain might present a risk of other foodstore chains challenging the consent.

RESOLVED: That,

·         Subject to consultation with the Secretary of State and the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report, the Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

Change of use of land to accommodate 4 no. holiday chalets with associated access and parking; installation of package treatment plant.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations.  

Members had undertaken a site visit the previous day and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting which included a statement from Councillor Madge Shineton, one of the two Local Ward Members.

Councillor G Wadsworth, representing Farlow Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr P Harding, the applicant, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15) Councillor Gwilym Butler, as local Ward Councillor, made a statement.  He then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During his statement, the following points were raised:

·         There was a lack of holiday accommodation in the area, major hotels and accommodation that was suitable for use by schools;

·         Would help support the public house that had recently opened in the area;

·         Would help to encourage income into a low wage economy;

·         Family work closely with the local community, are well respected and would abide by any conditions;

·         Diversification should be supported; and

·         The benefits of the scheme would outweigh the harm raised by the objectors.

In the ensuing debate, Members noted the comments of all speakers and considered the submitted plans.  Some Members considered that the proposal should not be supported given the continued objection of Natural England.  Other Members supported the proposal subject to appropriate conditions regarding layout, materials and a register of occupation to ensure the chalets are used and remain as holiday accommodation.

In response to questions from Members, the Principal Planner explained that if Members were minded to grant consent contrary to the advice of Natural England a notice of the permission and a statement to include the reasons for departing from their advice would have to be sent to Natural England, following which the application may have to come back to Shropshire Council for reconsideration.  He further provided advice regarding the guidelines relating to the granting of a temporary consent, definition of a caravan and occupancy of holiday lets.

RESOLVED:

That, as per the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.         It is acknowledged that the proposed development would contribute to the rural economy and to the role of Shropshire as a tourist destination to stay.  However these benefits are considered to be outweighed by the following environmental harm. 

          The principle of the proposed change of use of agricultural land and the erection of four holiday chalets in this remote and unsustainable rural area is contrary to both local and national policy planning policy which aims to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 7 February 2017 be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the South Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday, 7 March 2017, in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the South Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 7 March 2017 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.