Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March and of the Special Meeting held on 27 March 2017.

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 and 27 March 2017 were taken as read and signed by the Chair as correct.

The Chair thanked Councillor Sutton for her role as the Chair of this Committee for the previous twelve months.

Councillor Denham declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of Min. No. 44 below and left the meeting.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

Councillor Denham declared a disclosable pecuniary interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Principal Project Manager (Development (PJ) presented the application for the construction of a single storey, flat roof pavilion restaurant. He reported the receipt of three additional letters of objection, the total now being 42 and an on-line petition with 618 signatories also objecting to the scheme. He advised that it was proposed to amalgamate conditions 15 and 4 as they covered the same issue.

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

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

• the Canal Basin Masterplan of 2003 stated that the open views around the head of the canal basin and across to the Quay should be retained;

·         it is a historic space, hugely significant in Exeter’s history. The basin was part of the enlargement and extension of the canal that took place in the 1820s;

·         the Piazza at the head of the basin, together with the Quay, form an open area with views across from one to the other and provide a relaxed atmosphere that pervades this area, and special events turn the whole place into a party – the Olympic Torch Relay, last autumn’s Unexpected Festival, the Food Markets, the Regatta: Exeter at its most vibrant. The open aspect is crucial on these occasions, and crucial to the area’s attractiveness for residents and visitors alike;

·         if the grassy area is built on, the visual connections will go. Views of boats from the Quayside would disappear. Visitors to the Quay would see no evidence of the Canal Basin, and awareness of the canal would be lessened. The reverse is also true: views of the historic Quayside would no longer be visible from the Piazza except on narrow sightlines;

·         the adjacent, smaller grassy space, abutting Maclaines Warehouse and currently used by Bike Shed Theatre, is identified in the Masterplan as a potential development site, unlike this plot. If both sites were built on, the combined effect would break up the open outlook. The proposed restaurant would not, in practice, be as transparent or unobtrusive as the visualisations suggest;

·         vista can be very important and preserving the view from the Quay to the Canal Basin would be a forward looking option for Exeter. The officers’ observations refer to the Piazza being identified as “poorly enclosed” which is claimed as justification for building on this site. This assessment should be resisted as the Piazza will not benefit from enclosure by separation from the river frontage as, on the contrary, it benefits from the connection with the river; and

·         this site is also a green space within a conservation area which is highly valued. There is a strong feeling among many people that it should not be built upon.

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

·         scheme will complement the adjacent Grade II Listed Building of Maclaines and the four storey mixed residential and retail development;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

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

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

RESOLVED that the circulated rota of site inspections be approved, subject to any changes during the course of the year.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 13 June 2017 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be notified.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party be held on Tuesday 13 June 2017 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Prowse and Mrs Henson.