Minutes of the 129th planning meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall in Fore Street, Wellington, on Monday 7th January 2008 at 6pm
PRESENT: Councillors D. Mitton (chairman) who presided, P. Critchard (vice-chairman), R. Bowrah, C. Hindley, A. Govier, G. Goodwin, S. Walters, J. Reed, J. Govier, G. Copley, V. Stock-Williams, J. Lloyd and N. Wilson (who arrived at 6.40pm) and J. Clark and R. Henley (who both arrived at 6.55pm) and the clerk Mr A. Brown, the assistant to the clerk Mrs J. Thorne, and Taunton DBC planning manager Mr J. Hamer. Councillor J Clark earlier tendered an apology as he thought he would be unable to attend the meeting. There were 6 members of the public present.
14555 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Councillors Critchard and Bowrah stated they were members of Taunton DBC planning committee and reserved their right to vote differently at Taunton DBC planning committee meeting than at the town council planning meeting as different facts could be placed before them. Councillors A and J Govier declared a personal interest in the item on Laburnum Road and said they would not be voting on that item but retained their right to speak and they declared a prejudicial interest in the item on Rylands Farm Industrial Estate.
14556 APPLICATION FOR 23 LABURNUM ROAD, WELLINGTON
The council received details of the following application: Erection of extension to first floor and porch at 23 Laburnum Road, Wellington (43/2007/164). The council received one letter of objection from Mr and Mrs Wyatt of 12 Laburnum Road on grounds of overlooking and one letter from Mr G. Cross enclosing amended plans which reversed the bathroom/bedroom layout to eliminate the loss of privacy to the neighbouring property at no. 22 Laburnum Road. Mr Hamer said the amended plans had addressed the planning department’s concerns about overlooking but he still felt the extension would result in loss of light to the next door neighbour and therefore he was recommending refusal. Councillors suspended standing orders to allow Mr G. Cross to speak who distributed photos to councillors showing how the sun affected the property at different times of day. Mr Cross explained there was a large tree which currently blocked some light from his neighbour’s property and they did not seem concerned about it and they were not objecting to the application. He also said he was happy to receive any ideas or suggestions from councillors. Mr Hamer explained his concern was how the proposed extension would affect the already existing extension to no. 22. Councillor Reed said if none of the next door neighbours were objecting to it then she would like to see this application granted. Councillor Copley agreed with Councillor Reed and said she could not think of any good reason not to approve it. Councillor Stock-Williams proposed approval on condition there would be obscure glazing on the bathroom window which was seconded by Councillor Reed and was carried unanimously.
14557 APPLICATIONS TO BE DETERMINED BY TAUNTON DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL
The council considered the following applications:
(a) Residential development to provide 51 dwellings (Persimmon Homes) with associated garages, parking courtyards, roads and footpaths, together with formation of access to highway by formation of new roundabout, Cades Farm, Taunton Road, Wellington (43/2007/171) and (b) Residential development to provide 54 dwellings (Barratt Homes) with associated garages, parking courtyards, roads and footpaths, together with formation of access to highway by formation of new roundabout, Cades Farm, Taunton Road, Wellington (43/2007/172). Mr Hamer said the two applications were reserved matters as outline planning permission had already been granted which covered issues such as affordable housing and public open spaces. These applications provided the detail and in general the planning department were happy with them.
Councillor A Govier said that he would like to see details of what had been agreed between the developer and Taunton DBC about affordable housing and open public spaces so that councillors knew what was expected from the developer and would be able to keep track of when something was due to be completed. Mr Hamer said he would send a copy of the full section 106 agreement to town councillors for their information. He said it had been agreed the affordable housing scheme should be submitted before work was started and a public open space should provided and as well as the money for Court Fields School before the 150th unit was occupied. Councillor A Govier recommended approval subject to the approval of the road layout by Somerset Highways and it was seconded by Councillor Critchard. The vote was carried unanimously.
COUNCILLOR WILSON ENTERED HERE AT 6.40PM
(c) Erection of industrial unit, Rylands Farm Industrial Estate, Bagley Road, Rockwell Green, Wellington (43/2007/165). The council received a letter from Mrs D. Land expressing concerns over surface water drainage, traffic problems and entrance signage. Mr Hamer said this was one of the final units to be erected and the proposal would eat into the area of landscaping on the site. The concerns raised by Mrs Land would be covered by the conditions of the planning agreement. Councillor Critchard recommended approval with Councillor Goodwin seconding subject to the landscaping scheme not being adversely affected. The vote was carried unanimously. Councillors A and J Govier left the room while this item was considered.
COUNCILLORS HENLEY AND CLARK ARRIVED HERE AT 6.55PM
(d) Retention of satellite dish at 8 South Street, Wellington (43/2007/169). Mr Hamer said the conservation officer was not happy with it because it had an adverse impact on the character of the building and therefore was recommending refusal. The council agreed with this and voted 12 to 2 to recommend refusal.
(e) Re-hanging of a projecting sign and installation of window vinyl, Boots the Chemist, 6 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/170A) and (g) External and internal alterations at Boots the Chemist, 6 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/168LB). The proposed works were external maintenance and decorations, re-hanging a missing projecting sign, installing vinyl to the left hand window, redecoration and reconfiguration to sales, removing a section of existing block-work wall to enlarge dispensary, and forming a consultation/manager’s office. Mr Hamer said there were no objections from the conservation officer and they were happy with it. The council agreed unanimously to recommend approval.
(f) Installation of new shop front at 14 High Street, Wellington (revised application 43/2007/177). The conservation officer had no objection and the council agreed unanimously to recommend approval.
(h) Replacement of cement slates with Spanish slates at 50 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/176LB). Mr Hamer said the conservation officer considered the cement slates to be inappropriate for the building and the use of Spanish slates to be more in-keeping and suggested the work to be completed within 6 months of the approval being granted. The council recommended approval.
(i) Demolition of redundant building and erection of two bungalows on land south of Westford Court, Wellington (43/2007/179). Mr Hamer said the conservation officer had raised an objection to the proposal and was concerned about impact on the existing building there and also about the appearance of the two new proposed buildings which she thought would have a detrimental effect on the setting of Westford Court. Mr Hamer said he felt the proposed new buildings would affect the character and appearance of the existing buildings and would be recommending refusal. The council agreed unanimously to recommend refusal.
14558 PLANNING UPDATES FOR NEW SOMERFIELD STORE
Mr Hamer updated members on the proposed new Somerfield Store off High Street, Wellington, and said the company was still hoping to open the new store early next year. Councillor Henley said he would be contacting the company to find out when work was likely to start on the new store and he asked for the subject to be put on the next planning agenda for discussion.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.08 PM
