Decision details

70293: Application under Regulation 3 of the T & CP General Regulations 1992 notification by Devon County Council in respect of improvements to an existing roundabout and provision of a new underpass (DCC Ref: BGX/DCC/4142/2019)

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Place (circulated previously – now appended).

 

Councillor Yabsley declared a personal and prejudicial interest and remained in the room with the permission of the Chair, but did not vote.

 

The Planning Officer recommended that Council should recommend to Devon County Council that the application be granted once greater evidence was available in respect of ecological impact including the delivery of an ecological nett gain from the completed development, and an associated (LEMP), the completion of a construction plan to protect residents and planting scheme requiring particular species to be used.

 

Councillor Ricky Knight (objector) addressed the Committee.

 

Councillor York (Ward Member) addressed the Committee.

 

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that the Environment Agency had not raised any objections as the previous concerns raised regarding surface run off had been addressed.  The proposal would not generate any additional traffic into South Street as the approach to the roundabout would be widened to enable traffic to go straight across the roundabout and also turn left into South Street.  The Head of Park School had undertaken a small internal survey.  Section 106 financial contributions had been sought from the Roundswell development towards improvements at the Bishop’s Tawton roundabout and contributions would also be sought from the Larkbeare development.  The scheme was part of strategic improvements to the A361/A39.  A pedestrian survey was undertaken in 2012.  A wet and dry pedestrian count had been undertaken in 2019.  Policy ST10 in the Joint Local Plan set out the operational improvements to be made to the A361 and A39.  The cost of the scheme was not a material planning consideration. 

 

RESOLVED (9 for, 1 against and 0 abstained) that the decision of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 2nd September 2019 be supported and that the following observations be made to Devon County Council:

 

(a)

That the objectives of the Bishop’s Tawton roundabout improvement scheme be supported in principle subject to:

 

 

(i)

Consideration being given to physical measures that could be introduced to reduce through traffic to South Street e.g. width restriction;

 

 

(ii)

Consideration being given to measures that could be introduced to encourage traffic to use more appropriate accesses to the east of Barnstaple;

 

 

(iii)

Consideration of whether the provision of an underpass was necessary or whether there were other measures that could provide the same level of cycle and pedestrian safety and that the two preferred options of providing a toucan crossing and improvements and updates to the existing cycleway/footpath be investigated;

 

(b)

That as a result of the consultation and reviewing the concerns raised, the Council was most concerned and requested that a full strategic review of traffic movements and access issues in Barnstaple was undertaken and also expressed concern regarding the funding reductions for park and ride schemes.

 

Report author: Keith Bines

Publication date: 17/09/2019

Date of decision: 11/09/2019

Decided at meeting: 11/09/2019 - Planning Committee

Accompanying Documents: