Agenda and minutes

Councillor Morse declared a disclosable interest in Min No 97 as, in her capacity as  Portfolio Holder for Customer Access, she had been consulted on the proposal for using Former Richards Aquatics for the Safe Sleep initiative.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

Councillor Morse declared a disclosable interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item as she had been consulted on the proposal for using the Former Richards Aquatics for the Safe Sleep initiative in her capacity as Portfolio Holder for Customer Access.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application to change the use from A1 to temporary night shelter (sui generis) until end of March 2017. He reported further representations that had been received in support and objection.

Members were circulated with an update sheet – attached to minutes.

Councillor Bull attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. He made the following points:-

• speaking as Lead Councillor for Neighbourhoods and Communities on behalf of the street homeless, a hidden and voiceless community, and some 860 signatories to an online petition in support of this Safesleep application;
• rough sleeping is not the problem but the result of a problem since those in this need do not choose to live on the streets but find themselves there through circumstances;
• the average life expectancy of the homeless is 47 for males and 43 for females, Citizens Advice Bureau stating that some others are only three payslips away from the same fate;
• a similar facility the previous winter had provided 1,235 bed spaces over 91 days for 82 homeless, 45 of whom had secured more settled accommodation thereafter as a result of engagement with voluntary partners who help to turn around chaotic lives. Safesleep can help today, tomorrow and into the future;
• a City Centre location is necessary as rough sleepers would not seek the use of any out of centre facility;
• Julian House has extensive experience in working with the homeless and can help ensure minimum impact on the surrounding and wider neighbourhood and harm to local amenities such as through noise, smell, litter and late night activity. Will work with the Police and through the Street Homeless Outreach Team (SHOT) to minimise anti-social behaviour;
• Julian House will work with the Council, other housing agencies and volunteers all coming together in a real sense of community to help this voiceless community. There will be close liaison with local residents and businesses to reassure them over their concerns; and
• this facility will contribute to the wider City Council objectives and, crucially, result in zero loss of life.

Mr Denning spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• working closely with Exeter City Council and responding to the numbers of people identified nightly by the Julian House outreach team and verified by the formal rough sleepers count and, in particular, the high numbers of women sleeping on the streets of Exeter, the case for providing emergency accommodation which is safe, warm and supervised is overwhelming;
• the building itself has the size to make it work well, and it is open plan allowing observable and safe operation. There have been a number of comments recognising the need for a winter shelter, but seeking an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for four new dwellings.

Councillor Musgrave attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. He made the following points:-

·         serious reservations on behalf of residents relating to access, parking in the neighbourhood and insufficient parking for the new development, noting that the four properties could generate up to four vehicles each, including visitors;

·         the local community works with the Police over the problem of illegal parking which is a safety issue and which will be exacerbated should this development be brought forward;

·         residents acknowledge need for housing but believe that an access off Retail Park Close would be preferable which would help mitigate parking problems in Percy Road;

·         appreciate developer need to maximise profit but commercial drivers should not trump public safety and quality of life; and

·         application should be rejected as the development will have a real and negative impact on residents.

Mr Hunt spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

·         a month or so ago the merits of this planning application were considered when the only concerns related to highway safety and car parking and it was suggested that the officers’ report and other specialists had "got it wrong”

·         suggest that this isn't the case as the facts are clear. Highways Officers have looked at this scheme twice and decided that it is acceptable. City Council Planning Officers have assessed the scheme on two occasions and came to the same conclusion. Furthermore, a Planning Inspector has determined an appeal which also concluded that the scheme is safe in highway terms. It is suggested therefore that there is significant evidence to demonstrate that the scheme is acceptable;

·         as requested, the applicant was asked about changing the layout and access design but instructed to proceed with this scheme. The applicant is not a developer, they have spent considerable time and resource to progress an application for much needed housing and now wish to dispose of the surplus land to allow it to be productively used. It is not believed that the alternative access is suitable or preferable and the highways officers support this opinion; and

·         is suggested that the application is wholly acceptable as demonstrated by technical evidence and the advice of officers; and

·         the applicant is minded to appeal should the application be refused on the basis that there is no technical evidence to suggest that this application should not be approved.

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

RESOLVED that, subject to the addition of an informative that the Council’s preferred option would be an access off Retail Park Close and it would therefore be likely to make any necessary land in its ownership available to any future developer to enable this access to be realised, planning permission for four new dwellings be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for the construction of a six bed annex to the existing Hope Court Student Accommodation block.

Councillor Mitchell attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order No. 44. He made the following points:-

• the Exeter St James’ Forum does not necessarily speak for the entire St. James Community. Am speaking on behalf of the neighbours of this development who disagree with the Forum’s interpretation of the St James Neighbourhood Plan’s policies;
• the description of the original application was that of a house in multiple occupation rather than an annexe to the current building, a description which is more accurate in terms of design and use when the building will possess its own kitchen and bathroom and is separate from Hope Court. The management arrangements are also similar to that of a HMO;
• with regard to Policy C3 of the Neighbourhood Plan believe thatthe scale and intensity of use will harm the character of the building and locality and will cause an unacceptable reduction in the amenity of neighbouring occupiers and result in on-street parking problems;
• in respect of policy H5 of the Neighbourhood Plan, the proposal will create an overconcentration in this area of the city and change the character of the neighbourhood and create an imbalance in the local community. Although the development will see a student increase of about 0.1%, further developments of this nature could see a 2% increase in the area which will impact on the balance;
• the history of the site shows permission granted in 2006 for the demolition of the existing building and provision of 14 student cluster flats, in 2007 for 12 student cluster flats and, subsequently, in 2009, in addition to the 12 flats, a flat for nursing support taking the total to 13. The current application for six flats will bring the total to 19, higher than the original 12 flats granted permission. Such an incremental increase in development should not be permitted; and
• request rejection of this application.

Mr Simons spoke in support of the application. He raised the following points:-

• careful consideration has been given to the impact on the neighbourhood, its relationship to existing buildings and regard to the St James Neighbourhood Plan;
• the land is currently raised and has always been outside the amenity space available to the students, due to its elevated nature and associated health and safety risk;
• more than adequate amenity space within the curtilage of the site of both hard and soft landscaping;
• the planning department was consulted on the design and the intention has always been that this unit would be managed by the existing management team as part of the whole entity within the curtilage of Hope Court and be connected to existing services all of which sit behind the existing controlled entrance gate;
• after meeting the Forum it was agreed that the description be changed to construction of a six bedroom annexe of the existing Hope Court student  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 20 December 2016 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Mrs Henson, Edwards and Foale.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 20 December at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Mrs Henson, Edwards and Foale.