Issue - meetings

Demolish agricultural buildings; carry out improvements to existing access points, provision of new access road and modification of existing access track. Develop land for residential purposes and a new Village Hall with associated parking (Outline Application to Determine Access)

The Planning Officer presented the report showing Members all the relevant plans and drawings. An update sheet highlighting further representations received was provided to Members and is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

Public Participation

Oral representations in objection to the application were received from Mr M Chapman (Trustee of Bourton Village Hall), Ms F Gillett (Local Resident), Cllr M Withers (Bourton Parish Council), and Cllr D Walsh (Ward Member). Concerns were raised over the suitability of the proposed site including the distance from the main road, lack of attractive outlook, access issues, noise issues, loss of setting, and flooding problems.

Oral representations were also received in support of the application from Mrs C Brake (Local Resident), Ms H Palmer (Local Resident), Mr T Bailey (Local Resident), Mr A Sturt (Local Resident), Ms J Powell (Local Resident), and Mr D Carpendale (Agent for the Applicant). It was stated that the site was favoured by the majority of the village, provided good access, was well protected by trees, provided a level flat playing field, complied with policies, had no conservation or technical objections, and had a fully accessible location in the middle of the village.

Members’ Questions and Debate

Following questions raised, it was noted that access ownership was not a consideration for the Committee and that any comparisons to the Chaffeymoor Farm site were also not applicable as each application had to be considered on their own merits.

Members felt that there would be no significant or demonstrable harm from the proposal and in planning terms there were no reasons to refuse the application. Concern was raised over the impact on the Grade II listed building but it was stated that this would be addressed at the reserved matters stage.

Decision

It was proposed by Cllr Pothecary, seconded by Cllr Lacey-Clarke and agreed that the application be:-

A.    GRANTED subject to the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in a form to be agreed by the Legal Services Manager including the provisions and conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes;

or

B.    REFUSED permission for failing to secure the transfer of the hall if the agreement is not completed by (6 months from the date of committee) or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.