Agenda and minutes

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 (*prejudicial) interest:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the planning application for a replacement detached community building and conservation area consent for the demolition of a community building at Belmont Park Hut, Gordon Road, Exeter.

The replacement building would be 189 sq.metres compared to the existing building of 107 sq. metres the external material for the walls comprised oak timber boarding, with the roof comprising a mix of slate and photo voltaic roof tiles. The proposed siting for the replacement building was at right angle to the current building and straddled the current footpath linking Gordon Road with the circulatory path running around the park.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of one additional letter of support and a letter from Living Options complimenting the plans and highlighting a couple of internal design features they would like to see incorporated.

The recommendation was for approval of the planning application and the conservation area consent subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

In response to Members, the Assistant Director City Development clarified that the proposed condition restricting the use of the building until 10.00pm was to protect the amenity of the near-by residents; there was no parking with the existing hall and no parking was proposed with this development; the building would be highly energy efficient with insulation and double glazing and it was not considered appropriate to propose any noise limiting conditions such as any sound amplification systems. A hours of operation condition would provide more effective control.

Councillor Branston, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on this item. He circulated to Committee Members a list of users, a plan and a photograph of the Vision meeting held by Newtown Community Association. He raised the following points:-

• Newtown Community Association needed to raise £340,000 to build this replacement building
• the land would be leased for 35 years from the City Council
• the location and angle of the building had been moved to address objections
• last year, the Respect Festival held in the park had attracted 20,000 visitors and there were no parking complaints
• majority of users of the hall arrived on foot
• Devon County Council Highways did not object
• concern that to limit the time to 10.00pm was unreasonable; the long term viability depended on the quality and availability of the hall, the curfew time should be increased to at least 11.00pm
• had been no noise complaints
• supported by Age Concern and Exeter Community Initiatives
• had undertaken a full public consultation with workshops, interviews and meetings
• 36 letters of support had been received
• the hall drew users from a wide catchment area
• Newton Community was a vibrant community
• asked Committee to grant permission with a condition allowing use of the hall until at least 11.00pm

Mr Harrison spoke in support of the applications. He raised the following points:-

• Chair of Newtown Community Association
• is a Chartered Surveyor
• the volunteers had a variety of skills
• approval was important so that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Senior Area Planning Officer presented the planning application and listed building consent for the sub division of the two existing dwellings to create three new dwellings with associated internal and external works, construction of two new dwellings to south east corner of site, new access road, parking and bin storage at Magnolia House and Acacia House, Friars Green, Exeter.

The existing dwellings were Grade II listed buildings and in a poor state of repair, this proposal sought to convert the existing properties in to three dwellings and also provide two additional new dwellings. Two additional letters of objection had been received raising the same issues as set out in the objections section of the main report.  In particular they expressed concern regarding the quality of the design of the new dwellings, the impact on views down Friars Gate and the impact on the open character of the area.

The recommendation was for approval of the planning application and listed building consent subject to a Section 106 Agreement (planning application only) and conditions as set out in the report and an additional condition regarding the removal of permitted development rights.

The Senior Area Planning Officer clarified that Exeter Civic Society had not commented and that a condition requiring a wildlife plan could be added to any approval.

Councillor Mrs Brock, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on this item. Councillor Mrs Brock declared a personal interest as a member of the RSPB. She circulated photographs of the site and raised the following points:-

• concern over the proposed two new dwellings
• the applicant’s website stated that the converted properties and the two new dwellings would be available in the future; a decision had not  yet been made
• over 20 letters of objection had been received
• no problem with the conversion of existing properties as they had been neglected and were deteriorating
• the two new dwellings did not fit in well with the area; although the nearby Cygnet Theatre and the Salvation Army were high buildings these were long established buildings and part of the scene; would change the skyline and were too high; would conflict with the character of the area; detract from the area as would be dominant in the street scene as you approached the site; consideration was being made to hide the parking but these dwellings would be very prominent
• this was a highly regarded area with Georgian and listed properties
• would like to see the listed properties restored, a bungalow with reduced height would be more suitable in the location of the proposed new dwellings
• would have negative impact on the conservation area.

Councillor Laws, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on this item. She raised the following points:-

• supported the comments of Councillor Mrs Brock
• had walked the site and the setting had an open feel
• in the Conservation Area Appraisal the view down Friars Gate was stated as important; these dwellings would spoil those views
• the two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application to demolish the existing summerhouse and garage and rebuild them in the estuary garden at 19 The Strand, Topsham, Exeter. The proposed new structures would be larger than the existing and the access would be repositioned.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of a further revised plan, clarification that the construction details for the summerhouse had been received and an additional condition.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report and the additional condition on the update sheet.

RESOLVED that planning permission for demolishing existing and rebuilding of  summer house and garage in estuary garden be approved subject to the following conditions:-

6)      Prior to the commencement of works on the summerhouse hereby approved, details of the proposed pile and beam foundations to support the summerhouse shall be submitted to, and be approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the development shall be completed strictly in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the summerhouse is constructed in a manner that minimises the potential for any adverse impact on the nearby tree in the interests of the character and appearance of the area.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Denham declared a personal and prejudicial interest as an employee of the Deaf Academy and left the meeting during consideration of the item.

The Senior Area Planning Officer presented the outline application for the demolition of the former school buildings, erection of an Academy for Deaf Education with associated residential accommodation, open space, car parking and landscaping at land between Ringswell Avenue and Ribston Avenue, Exeter.

Members were advised that, following negotiations, the scale and massing of the proposed buildings were considered to be acceptable.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of two additional letters of objection; comments from the County Director Environment, Economy and Culture and additional conditions.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report and the additional conditions on the circulated update sheet.

Mr Farnhill (Chief Executive Academy for Deaf Education) spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• this was an outline application
• there had been a school for Deaf Education in the city since 1826
• was the only residential school for the Deaf in the South West
• had 120 pupils ranging from four to twenty four
• was more than just a school providing learning and training and inclusion working alongside pupils at Exeter College
• provided sign language courses for the community
• 200 employees
• would bring £5 million into the local economy through local authority fees
• the existing site was showing signs of age and had limited disabled access
• would cost £25 million to build and had generated interest from various organisations across the world
• would like the residential accommodation to feel like home
• wanted pupils to know they were special and that people care.

In answer to Members’ questions, Mr Farnhill clarified that it was the intention to have as much grass area as possible and to bring grass back on to the site; the community would benefit from the facilities with sign language courses and hearing dog training; about 70 of the children would be non-residential, the timetable would be different to that of the adjacent school starting and finishing at lunch times on Monday and Friday and working later in the week to make up the hours; it was intended to be an inspirational building.

RESOLVED that planning permission for the demolition of former school buildings, erection of Academy for Deaf Education with associated residential accommodation, open space, car parking and landscaping be approved subject to the following conditions:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Senior Area Planning Officer presented a consultation from East Devon District Council for an outline application for residential development of up to 430 units at Pinn Court Farm, Pinncourt Lane, Exeter. The proposal would include a local centre comprising retail space of up to 240 sqm and a community centre, care home of up to sixty bedspaces, specialist care home of up to sixty bedspaces and a park and change facility together with associated open space, cycleways, footpaths, infrastructure and safeguarded vehicular route to Langaton Lane, served off a new access from the highway (B 3181).

One additional objection had been received raising issues of the impact to traffic, loss of open space and wildlife, and the strain it would place on schools and doctors surgeries in the area.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of an email from the applicant’s agent; details from the County Director of Environment, Economy and Culture who had recommended to East Devon District Council that the application be refused; and a revised recommendation.

In view of the concerns expressed by the County Council on highway grounds, the recommendation was that the City Council object to the application until such time as the highway concerns were addressed to the satisfaction of the County Director.

Members supported the objections raised by the County Director and expressed the need for a park and ride site on the development.

The Strategic Director advised Members on the Pinhoe Access Strategy, the third phase of Devon County Council Access Strategy and the need to ensure that new development in the Pinhoe Area could be accommodated by the highway network.

RESOLVED that the City Council OBJECTS to this proposal authority be delegated to the Assistant Director City Development in consultation with Planning Member Working Group to agree grounds of objection.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

(Report circulated)

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for the installation of a 12metre telecommunication column with three antennas, radio equipment housing and ancillary works at the junction of Blackboy Road and Western Way, Exeter.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of the consultation response of the County Director of Environment, Economy and Culture and the applicant response to locating the apparatus on the former Townsends Printers site.

The recommendation was to approve the application subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Members agreed that the mast should not have the plastic shroud.

RESOLVED that the application for the installation of 12m telecommunication column with three antennas, radio equipment housing and ancillary works 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 to update Members on the progress of implementing Section 106 agreements and on the expenditure of financial contributions received.

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 advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 10 July 2012 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Mrs Henson and Morris.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 10 July 2012 at 9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Mrs Henson and Morris.