Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meetings held on 20 February 2012 and 19 March 2012.

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 February and 19 March 2012 were taken as read and signed by the Chair as correct.

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare personal and prejudicial interests, including the nature and extent of such interests, in relation to business on the agenda, before any discussion takes place on the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

Members declared the following personal interests:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a student landlord.

Councillor Winterbottom declared a personal interest as he knew a supporter of the application.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the planning application for a three storey and two and a half storey blocks to provide ten student flats, cycle and bin stores and associated works and conservation area consent for the demolition of cottages at the former the Red Cow Inn and 19-20 Red Cow Village, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of revised plans showing improvements to the front elevation and altering the shape of the building to the rear. Members were also advised that it had been agreed with the applicant that an occupation restriction to students only and a requirement to provide details of the management of the development could be secured by conditions. A condition was also now proposed to secure surfacing and bollarding of the lane to the north.

The applicant had also agreed to pay the contribution required in respect of Natura 2000 and advised that planning consent would not be issued until this is received. A legal agreement would not therefore be necessary which would mean that the development could be completed a year earlier than would otherwise be the case.

The area covered by the site would be checked and, if above 1,000 metres, consultation would be necessary with English Heritage as the site was in a Conservation Area. In the event of it being necessary to consult English Heritage and significant issues being raised the application would be reported back to the Committee.

Mr Churchward spoke against the application. He raised the following points:-

• he and his partner would become homeless if the development was to proceed
• the properties had formerly been the Foresters Arms. With the loss of the Artful Dodger and the Red Cow Inn only two public houses would remain in the area
• the cottages were of historical interest and should be retained as re-development would be a detrimental to the character of the Conservation Area
• there are already too many student accommodation units in the area and some are not fully occupied at present. The large amount of student accommodation has a detrimental impact on the area

Mr Jones (agent) spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• this had proved a difficult site because of its constrained nature and its location within a Conservation Area and there had been a number of discussions with planning officers
• the design reflected aspects of the Red Cow Inn and the design of the front elevation had been improved including changes to the height
• the lane to the side of the development would provide access to the bin and cycle storage area at the rear
• student accommodation in this area was in accord with the supplementary planning guidance. The presence of shops and transport hubs together with the proximity to the University made the site an ideal location for students.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillors Bialyk, Denham, Donovan, Edwards, Mrs Henson, Mitchell, Morris, Owen, Prowse, Spackman, Sutton and Winterbottom declared personal interests as they knew the applicant.

The Development Manager presented the application for a conservatory on the south elevation at 440 Topsham Road, Exeter.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a conservatory on south elevation be approved subject to the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a student landlord.

The Development Manager presented the application for change of use from dwelling to house in multiple occupation (C4 use) at bungalow B, 16 Pennsylvania Road, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet advising that the applicants had confirmed that they had an offer accepted in respect of a property in Sussex but that, following the most recent failure to complete the sale of their existing premises, the seller in Sussex had accepted another offer for their property.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that planning permission for change of use from dwelling to house in multiple occupation (C4 use) be approved subject to the following conditions:-

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the report updating Members on enforcement matters.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support was submitted.

RESOLVED that the circulated rota of dates for Planning Member Working Group meetings be approved.

(Schedule circulated)

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support was submitted.

RESOLVED that the dates, as circulated, and the composition of the Area Working Parties as set out below be approved:-

Northern Area Working Party:-

Councillors Denham, Edwards, Donovan, Mitchell and Prowse

Southern Area Working Party:-

Councillors Mrs Henson, Lyons, Owen and Spackman

Western Area Working Party:-

Councillors Bialyk, Morris, Sutton and Winterbottom

(Schedule circulated)

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support was submitted.

RESOLVED that the circulated rota of site inspections, be approved.

(Schedule circulated)

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 12 June 2012 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending to be agreed.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 12 June 2012 at 9.30 a.m.The Councillors attending will be Denham, Mitchell and Spackman.