To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the South Planning Committee meeting held on 20 November 2018.

Contact Linda Jeavons (01743) 257716.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the South Planning Committee held on 20 November 2018 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 no later than 24 hours prior to the commencement of the meeting.

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 applications 18/02384/FUL and 18/03312/OUT, Councillor Robert Tindall declared that he was a member of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership.  He confirmed that he had taken no part in any discussion relating to these applications.

With reference to planning applications 18/02384/FUL and 18/03312/OUT, Councillor David Turner declared that he was a member of The Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership and The Shropshire Hills AONB Management Board.  He confirmed that he had taken no part in any discussion relating to these applications.

Erection of affordable dwelling and installation of septic tank (revised scheme).

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 had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

Mr P Robson, on behalf of the objectors, spoke against 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 Richard Huffer, local Ward Councillor, made a statement in which he made reference to the ongoing concerns expressed by local residents.  He then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. 

Mr J Bryan, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members considered the proposal to be sustainable and in-keeping with the area and unanimously supported the application.

RESOLVED:

That, as per the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be granted, subject to completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement to ensure the dwelling remains affordable in perpetuity and the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Outline application for the erection of a single dwelling (to include access).

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 had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

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

Mr N Williams, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  In response to questions, the Principal Planner explained that this was an outline application with all matters, except for access, reserved for later approval.  Matters relating to scale and appearance, would include consideration of the number of bedrooms, and this would be a matter assessed at the Reserved Matters stage. 

RESOLVED:

That, as per the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Application under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the erection of toilet block, shower block and change of use to glamping and touring caravan site.

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 that morning and had viewed the site and had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

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

·         She recognised the work that had been undertaken to improve the public house over recent years by the current owner. The pub had taken its place within the community and the wider area as a place to go and enjoy a drink and food;

·         The development outside the main building had continued, with the addition of glamping pods, benches and also touring caravans which proliferated during the summer months.  In her view, and that of objectors, a couple of caravans appeared to have remained on site for months and had been both occupied and unoccupied;

·         This retrospective application had caused concern locally as the land is classed as Green Belt which is governed by planning constraints;

·         It had not been an easy decision to reach but, on balance, she supported the recommendation to refuse.  However, if Members were minded to support the application she recommended the following:

Ø  A reduced number of pods in a style more in-keeping with a rural area. Pods to be stained timber, no brightly coloured paint to be used and to be less sprawled out across the site;

Ø  Native hedge planting and improvements made to increase screening within the site;

Ø  Appropriate site licences to ensure seasonal use only;

Ø  Conditions to control noise, including music outside of normal working hours;

Ø  Conditions to control lighting and to include low level lighting on site.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members considered that the very special circumstances had not been established and that, without prejudice to the decision made on any re-application, Officers should guide the applicant on their options.  Members suggested that the pods should be grouped more closely with the pub building and be less sprawled out across the site, a more robust landscaping scheme should be introduced, and a more in-depth case to be submitted as to why the applicant considered the development would be needed to sustain the public house.  Members also required more information in relation to the management of the pods and would want them tied to the pub business.

RESOLVED:

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

·         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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

Conversion and extension to redundant agricultural building to form one dwelling and garage; change of use of agricultural land to form domestic curtilage; formation of vehicular access, and; 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 on a previous occasion and had viewed the site and had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

Ms E Davies, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor M James, Chairman – Ashford Bowler Parish Meeting, spoke against 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 Viv Parry, local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         She expressed concerns regarding the rear windows and the impact of overlooking on the property to the rear;

·         She had previously requested that the garage be single story but the height of the garage had only been reduced by one metre;

·         The left hand side of the barn sat right on the edge of the road and this would dominate the view as you approach it when entering the village;

·         She expressed concerns regarding the culvert, which ran the length of the village and would not be able to cope with anything extra discharging into it; and

·         It was a pre-cursor attempt at creating two dwellings.

Mr J Hicks, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.  In response to questions from Members he confirmed that the proposal was for a single dwelling.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted drawings and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members noted that Shropshire Council’s Drainage Consultants had raised no concerns and, if granted, appropriate drainage conditions would be attached. 

RESOLVED:

That, as per the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Conversion and extension to redundant agricultural building to form one dwelling and garage; change of use of agricultural land to form domestic curtilage; formation of vehicular access, and; 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 on a previous occasion and had viewed the site and had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

RESOLVED:

That, as per the Officer’s recommendation, Listed Building Consent be granted, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Application to position 1 metre high lighting bollards at 30 metre intervals along approved widened access track and passing places.

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 that morning and had viewed the site and had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

Mr A Reade, representing Claverley PreservationSociety, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor R Cotham, representing Claverley Parish Council, spoke against 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 Tina Woodward, local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         Concerns had been expressed locally and objections made to this application, which would, if granted, introduce light into an area where historically there had been none.  This had also been highlighted by Shropshire Council’s Conservation team who considered the proposed lighting to be inappropriate because of its harmful impact upon the setting of Listed Buildings in the vicinity and also because of the erosion of the rural character of Claverley’s Conservation Area.  The access track abuts the Conservation Area and is not in the Conservation Area, so one could only assume that Shropshire Council’s Conservation had taken this into account when making their response. She agreed with the comments of SC Conservation;

·         Highways had also raised concern regarding the visual impact of the proposed lights;

·         The applicant’s agent had submitted further information which indicated that many units were mostly intensively used at weekends and for holidays and short breaks.  She questioned if the intention was not so much for residential in its nature but tourism based, which would suggest that there would be times when the track would not be utilised that frequently in off-peak times, eg winter months.  She recognised that holiday makers may be less acquainted with the access track than residents might be;

·         She had also noted that the agent, on behalf of the applicant, had indicated that the lights could be reduced in height to 0.5 metres in height, which, in her opinion, could potentially lessen the impact of the lighting, as would the reduction of frequency of lights and the introduction of increased evergreen Holly planting in the proposed hedges, particularly in sections where the lights were proposed to be located.  Also, maintaining the hedges at a reasonable height and lights being switched off after 11.30 pm could further benefit the screening affect and so be less intrusive.   If granted, she welcomed conditions to reflect the above. 

Mr P Dowd, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.  In response to comments from Members, the agent confirmed the applicant’s willingness to accept any appropriate conditions to control lighting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Erection of a detached, 3 bedroomed dwelling following demolition of existing garages.

(At this juncture, the Vice Chairman, Councillor David Turner, took the Chair.)

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 had assessed the impact of a proposal on the surrounding area.

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

·         These garages were once owned by South Shropshire Housing, who have sold off 90% of garages in Craven Arms;

·         This area requires improvement and tidying;

·         Both the Parish Council and neighbouring property owners have expressed support for this application;

·         The neighbouring property owners have been consulted and in response to their comments two windows to the rear will be obscure glazed;

·         The garden runs the full width of the building and will accommodate a bin store, garage and parking for an additional vehicle.  There is also a free car park opposite; and

·         He supported a dwelling on this derelict site and recommended approval.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  Members noted that there was a children’s play area nearby that would be available to the occupants of the dwelling to supplement the amenity space within the application site; that the effect of the proposed dwelling on neighbour amenity would not be materially different to that of existing adjacent dwellings; considered that the proposal would maximise the use of the site and would be in-keeping with the area.

RESOLVED:

That, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, planning permission be granted subject to:

·         Appropriate conditions deemed necessary by Officers; and

·         The development to be carried out in accordance with the approved drawings and written particulars.

(At this juncture, the Chairman, Councillor David Evans, returned and took the Chair.)

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 18 December 2018 be noted.

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

2.00 pm on Tuesday, 15 January 2019, 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, 15 January 2019 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.