Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bishop, Davies, C. Leaver and Maddocks.

To approve as correct records the minutes of the two meetings held on 8th November 2023 (attached) subject to Councillor Bulled being removed from the list of attendees at the site inspection on 8th November 2023 (at 1pm).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 8 November 2023 (circulated previously) be approved as correct records and signed by the Chair subject to Councillor Bulled being removed from the list of attendees at the site inspection on 8th November 2023 (at 1pm).

There were no items brought forward which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered by the meeting as a matter of urgency.

Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting. Interests must be re-declared when the item is called. A declaration of interest under the Code of Conduct will be a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, an Other Registrable Interest or a Non-Registrable Interest.  If the item directly relates to your interest you must declare the interest and leave the room for the item, save in the case of Other Registrable Interests or Non-Registrable Interests where you may first speak on the item as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak.  If the matter does not directly relate to your interest but still affects it then you must consider whether you are affected to a greater extent than most people and whether a reasonable person would consider your judgement to be clouded, if you are then you must leave the room for the item (although you may speak as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak) or, if you are not, then you can declare the interest but still take part).

There were no declarations of interest received.

Installation of photovoltaic panels to the single storey rear wing of the property. Report by the Planning Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Planning Officer (CR) regarding planning application 77307.

RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Planning Officer (CR).

Listed building consent for installation of photovoltaic panels to the single storey rear wing of the property. Report by the Planning Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Planning Officer (CR) regarding planning application 77308.

RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Planning Officer (CR).

Application under regulation 3 of the Town & country Planning General Regulations 1992 notification by North Devon Council for creation of a new vehicle and pedestrian access from Alexandra Road into Queens Street Bear Street carpark (resubmission of application 76081).  Report by the Lead Planning Officer (North) (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Planning Officer (North) regarding planning application 77911.

The Lead Planning Officer (North) reported that:

·       Following the publication of the agenda, outstanding consultee responses had been received from Environmental Health and Devon County Council Highways Authority.  Neither had raised an objection to the scheme. 

·       Devon County Council Highways Authority were satisfied with the previous layout and traffic assessment.  The Highways Authority had considered the Road Safety Audit and raised no objection subject to some minor amendments being made which would be secured outside of the planning application and through a section 278 legal agreement.

·       The consultation period ended on 14 December 2023, and therefore it was recommended that the application be delegated to the Head of Planning to approve as detailed in the report subject to the plans listed in condition 2 being amended to include reference to the road safety audit.

In response to questions of the Committee, the Lead Planning Officer (North) advised the following:

·       The barrier between Queen Street and Bear Street car parks would be removed so that it became a single car park.

·       The existing entrances and exits on Bear Street and Queen Street would remain.  This would allow for the distribution of the traffic network rather than the traffic being concentrated on a single entrance and exit.

·       The layby on Alexandra Road no longer formed part of this planning application and it was proposed that the entrance and exit would be directly off of Alexandra Road.

·       The provision of electric vehicle charging points had been approved previously by the Committee.

In response to a question, Councillor Prowse in his capacity as Lead Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Planning advised the Committee that as part of the Future High Street fund scheme, the provision of a new Western Power substation would be provided which would future proof the supply of electric vehicle charging points and would give the ability to add further charging points.  It was also requested that when works were undertaken by the Council or Devon County Council, that the road junction at Bear Street be re-lined as it was dangerous and causing confusion to both drivers and pedestrians.   

RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be DELEGATED TO THE HEAD OF PLANNING TO APPROVE as recommended by the Lead Planning Officer (North) subject to condition 2 being amended to include reference to the road safety audit.

To consider the report by the Senior Planning Support Officer (attached).

The Committee considered and note the appeal report by the Senior Planning Support Officer (circulated previously).

The Service Manager (Development Manager) advised that there were no planning and enforcement appeal decisions to consider.  The letter from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to Land at Back Lane, Chulmleigh had been circulated to provide an explanation for their comments at paragraph 10 of their appeal decision.

There were no Planning Site Inspections required.