Minutes of an extraordinary Planning meeting of the Parish Council held on
Tuesday 4th January 2022 at 7.15 pm in the Jubilee Hall.
Present: Cllr Jeff Ligo (Chair), Cllr Eddie Cole, Cllr Noel Kew, Cllr Keith Rayward, Cllr Steve Ridley, Cllr Tim Goode, Cllr Jo Jolly and Cllr Steve Lloyd.
In attendance: Nicola Duke (Parish Clerk), 18 members of the public and Wiltshire Councillor Suzanne Wickham.
Open Forum
Members of the public were invited to make representations to the Council on any matters relating to the work of the Council or to raise any issues of concern:
• A number of residents had provided a written statement in respect of planning application PL/2021/08566, which was read out by the Clerk and is appended to the minutes for reference.
AGENDA ITEM
2021/62 Apologies for Absence and to consider the reasons given
Cllr Whittaker due to ill health, accepted.
2021/63 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations to Participate
The Chair reported that the applicant for the planning application PL/2021/08566 was known to him, that he had sought advice and would declare a personal interest in the relevant agenda item. It was confirmed that this declaration would have no impact on the chairing of the meeting or the Chairman’s role in the debate on the application.
Cllrs Kew and Ridley also declared a personal interest in planning application PL/2021/08566 as the applicant was known to them.
Cllr Goode declared a personal interest in application PL/2021/11226 as the applicant was known to him.
2021/64 Planning applications and consultations
PL/2021/08566 – Land West of Penn Farm, Capps Lane, Heywood, BA13 4NF – Provision of 3 Gypsy and Traveller pitches and associated works including day rooms, parking, turning, septic tank and landscaping – The Chair spoke regarding a previous application relating to the site lodged in February 2021 and granted in March 2021 about which residents had had no knowledge and confirmed that the PC had not received any consultation information either. It was agreed that the PC would bring this lack of consultation information to Wiltshire Council’s attention when responding to this application and that Wiltshire Council should therefore should re-examine the February 2021 application. The Clerk confirmed that Wiltshire Council had been contacted in respect of this and had confirmed that consultation documents had been issued however, these had not been received by either the PC or local residents. An explanation would be sought from WC together with clarification as to whether the lack of receipt of consultation documents would invalidate the grant of planning permission. Members had also identified some inconsistencies in the Case Officer’s report (distance to village centre and the provision of mains electricity) which would be brought to WC’s attention; with a query as to whether this inconsistency affects the validity of the planning permission granted.
Members considered the application, giving regard to the principles relating to the relevant Wiltshire Council strategy – Core Policy 47 (CP47) – and resolved to send the below representation as comment (proposed Cllr Ligo, seconded Cllr Ridley).
1. Flooding, drainage and ground stability – The PC noted the comments of residents and its own local knowledge relating to the waterlogged ground at the site. Members therefore request an appropriate survey be carried out before the application is determined, to see if the land is suitable for proposed development.
2. Vehicular and pedestrian access – Whilst the road is safe, it is an unlit single track public highway with no pavement and therefore not convenient for pedestrian access to and from the site. It was noted that additional traffic will be also generated as a result of the development.
3. Services – there is no mains electricity connected to the site (WC is asked to note that this is inconsistent with the Officers Report on planning application 21/00610/VAR). Members expressed concern about the type of septic tank and its appropriateness for the site. This point relates to the comment made under point 1 regarding the waterlogged condition of the land and the need for a survey. The Chair stated that the discussion should proceed on the basis that no mains electricity would be available.
4. Parking, residential amenity and play areas – No comment.
5. Services and community facilities – the 2021 VAR application stated that the distance from the site to the centre of the village was 1.5 km and is actually 1.5 miles, which should be noted.
6. Impact on character and appearance of landscape and amenity of neighbouring properties – The potential noise and emissions from generators would have a negative impact on neighbouring properties and this should be borne in mind when determining the application, with mitigating measures being agreed.
7. Location of site, privacy, relationship to neighbouring residences and maintenance of existing and proposed hedgerows – No comment.
8. Scale and character – No comment.
9. Designation, adverse effect on river quality, biodiversity or archaeology – Attention is again drawn to the need to ensure that the method of waste disposal is appropriate to the site and will not have an adverse impact on the local environment.
Members noted that the application had been called in by the Wiltshire Councillor for the Ethandune ward and supported this call in given the nature and extent of the Parish Council’s concerns and comments.
PL/2021/11226 – Well Alpaca Stud, Lower Westbury Road, Bratton, BA13 4RH – Prior Notification under Class Q for a Change of Use of Existing Agricultural Building to a Dwelling house with Associated Building Operations – Support on the condition that Wiltshire Council are satisfied that all class Q conditions are met (proposed Cllr Ligo, seconded Cllr Goode).
To receive and consider planning applications received after the issue of the agenda (where the response time fell outside of the meeting schedule and an extension could not be obtained) – None.
2021/65 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 11th January 2022 at 7.15 pm in the Jubilee Hall.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.35pm.