Agenda and minutes

Venue: Rennes Room, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter

Contact: Howard Bassett, Democratic Services Officer (Committees)  01392 265107 or email  howard.bassett@exeter.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 227 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2018.

 

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2018 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct.

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

 

3.

Planning Application No. 18/1641/FUL - Clock Tower Hotel, New North Road pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Assistant City Development Manager presented the application for the change of use and conversion from a hotel (Use Class C1) to boarding accommodation associated with Exeter College (Use Class C2). It would accommodate between 22 and 25 students and two wardens. There would be a warden on shift at the property 24 hours a day (two wardens sharing shifts).

 

The Assistant City Development Manager reported that three late letters of objection had been received largely covering matters relevant to a proposed management plan including the age limit of occupants, arrangements for visitors, use of the garden area and general disturbance. He also advised that the property already had planning permission for a three storey extension and, in response to a Member, confirmed that it could still be implemented by a new occupier. He also stated that a fire report had been received confirming that the property was suitable for the proposed use with minor modifications.

 

Responding to further Member queries, the Assistant City Development Manager stated that residents of the proposed boarding school would typically be aged 16-18, who, at weekends and during the holidays, would return to their family homes and that the age range would be stipulated within the management agreement. The college were in loco parentis, acting as parents and guardians, and the property would be Ofsted inspected.  The management plan would impose a strict curfew, registering with the resident warden throughout the day, agreeing visitors with the accommodation officer, and a sign out procedure for leaving the accommodation between 7pm and 10pm. On this basis, conduct would be controlled and students would not contribute to late night noise and anti-social behaviour. The applicant would need to enter into a legal agreement to secure this management scheme which would also cover use and occupation out of term time. On the basis of the care provided, and the age of the occupiers, the Council was satisfied that the proposal met the C2 use.

 

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

 

·         this is another application which will greatly impact on the character of the St. James neighbourhood in spite of the St. James Neighbourhood Plan, the aim of which is to maintain a balanced community. The Plan has been consistently given little weight and/or ignored since its adoption in 2013;

·         before the adoption of the Plan, the number of Council tax exemptions was 760 which has risen to 910 in 2018;

·         although Councillors have been quoted as seeking to ensure that the area does not become a student village, planning decisions have shown that not enough regard has been given to the Plan;

·         the College references to the proposal being beneficial to the City in economic terms and to its excellent reputation are not planning considerations;

·         no reference is made to national living standards;

·         boarding schools are normally located within a School/College campus and, as the College is reluctant to agree an age limit, the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

List of Decisions Made and Withdrawn Applications pdf icon PDF 45 KB

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the City Development Manager was submitted.

           

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

5.

Appeals Report pdf icon PDF 59 KB

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

Minutes:

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 

6.

SITE INSPECTION PARTY

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 29 January 2019 at

9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Prowse and Morse.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 29 January 2019 at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Prowse and Morse.