Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Crabb, Lane and Leaver.

The Chair advised that following the conclusion of the meeting, there would be an informal discussion regarding the Committee undertaking site inspections of sites which had previously been granted planning permission.

(Please complete the form provided at the meeting or telephone the Corporate and Community Services Team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting.  Items must be re-declared when the item is called, and Councillors must leave the room if necessary)

There were no declarations of interest announced.

Conversion of building to 47 No. residential units & 1,220 square metres of floor space of commercial uses (a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, b1a, b1c, d1, d2), conversion of existing buildings together with the erection of 4 No. new buildings along with car & cycle parking, landscaping, refuse storage & other associated works & the demolition of modern extensions to the existing buildings (amended plans & documents) (further amended plans, design revisions block 1 & 2).

Report by Planning Manager (attached).

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

The Committee noted that the incorrect year had been included on pages 22 and 23 of the report and that reference to replies received from Councillor Lofthouse should have stated 13 November 2019 and DCC Childrens Services should have stated 4 December 2019.

The Lead Planning Officer (JW) reported the receipt of amended drawings in relation to Block 2.

Councillor Yabsley arrived at the meeting.  In accordance with Part 3, Annexe 1 of the Constitution, as Councillor Yabsley had arrived during the consideration of the application he was unable to propose or second any motion or amendment or cast a vote.

The Lead Planning Officer recommended that in addition to the recommendation, that delegated authority also be granted to finalise the conditions in relation to the approval of materials to be used; to secure a window strategy for each floor to retain historical importance; inclusion of conditions as recommended by the Conservation Officer; and the amendment of the pre-commencement dates as appropriate in some of the conditions.

Alan Rennles (Barnstaple Town Council representative), Tim Street (objector), Andrew Pegg (Wessex Developer) and Joe Horner (representing the agent) addressed the Committee.

In response to questions raised about Block 1, the Lead Planning Officer advised that there was a significant amount of highway in the surrounding area and there was an opportunity for another area of public realm to be provided behind Block 1.  In her opinion there was a reasonable separation distance between the bus stop and the public highway and Block 1.  She referred to the consultation response received from the Planning Policy unit dated 10 January 2020 regarding the principle of Block 1 in terms of its conformity with policies in the adopted Local Plan.

In response to a question, the Lead Planning Officer advised that Barnstaple Town Council had suggested the provision of electric car charging points.  She read the applicant’s response as detailed on page 64 of the report.

Listed building consent for conversion of building to 47 no. Residential units & 1,220 square metres of floorspace of commercial uses (a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, b1a, b1c, d1, d2), conversion of existing buildings together with the erection of 4 no. New buildings along with car & cycle parking, landscaping, refuse storage & other associated works & the demolition of modern extensions to the existing buildings (amended plans & documents) (further amended plans, design revisions block 1 & 2).

Report by Planning Manager (attached).

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