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 interests:-

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Denham declared a personal interest as the objector is a former colleague.

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a student landlord.

The Development Manager presented the application for the demolition of the existing Postgraduate centre building and redevelopment to provide a Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) centre over four storeys with associated landscaping and enclosed roof top plant at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter.

Members were informed that the building would extend over four floors with the plant area on the roof also enclosed and comprise of two wings on either side of a central area called the 'Hub'. There would be a physical link between the proposed building and the existing Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry building at both ground and first floor levels.

The Development Manager informed Members of the main considerations in respect of the proposal which were the design of the building and its impact upon the character of the area and long range views. It was not anticipated that there would be any adverse impact on the highway. This was a new landmark contemporary building which would enhance the campus and add interest to Barrack Road.

Members were circulated with an update sheet advising that the applicant’s agent had confirmed that an additional ten cycle parking spaces could be incorporated within the development. The Development Manager informed Members that discussions were continuing between the applicant and Exeter School with regards to any potential disturbance during exam times from construction noise emanating from the site. This was a significant enough matter to warrant refusal of the application and could not be controlled by condition.

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

Mr Aspinwall spoke against the application. He circulated photographs and raised the following points:-

• was a resident at Baker Street
• the photographs showed the effect that the building would have on the long range views
• was two storey’s higher than the existing Peninsula College plus a hidden floor housing the plant; this was to save costs
• would cut out any long range views: would Halden View now be renamed?
• there was an existing parking problem in the area: the travel plan did not address this issue
• the 62 residents of Baker Street would be denied their view of the hills around Exeter.

Members raised concerns regarding the parking problems in the vicinity of the proposal particularly in light of the defective traffic order on the area.

The Development Manager clarified that there was already an existing Postgraduate Centre on this site and this proposal was to improve facilities and would not generate a significantly higher number of students.

RESOLVED that the application for demolition of existing Postgraduate centre building and redevelopment to provide a Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) centre over four storeys with associated landscaping and enclosed roof top plant be approved subject to the following conditions:-

1)          C05  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a member of Devon County Council.

The Head of Planning and Building Control presented the application for a two storey residential development to provide ten self contained flats, access to highway and associated works off Bennett Square, Exeter.

The proposal would involve the demolition of two dwellings in Bennett Square to create an adoptable highway access into the site. The flats had two bedrooms, the ground floor flats had private patios and the first floor flats would have balconies. There would also be a communal garden. Two of the ground floor flats were mobility units.  A further two flats, at first floor, were designed so that they could be used as mobility units in the future, subject to the installation of a lift. Parking was provided for nine vehicles and there would be 20 cycle spaces. Part of the public footpath across the site would be diverted and this right of way retained, the realigned path would be 2.5m wide. 

The application also indicated that the goalposts and the teen shelter on the site would be relocated The goalposts would be moved to an existing play area to the west of Widgery Road and the teen shelter located on another small area of open space to the north-east of Bennett Square.

A previous application on this site had been withdrawn to allow for more widespread consultation on the proposal.

The Head of Planning and Building Control advised Members of the conflict between the need to provide more affordable housing and safe guarding open space in the city. He stated that the internal arrangement of the flats had been altered and they now met the Council’s SPD on space standards.

Members were circulated with an update sheet clarifying that the proposed footprint position and the distances to the neighbours was the same as the previous scheme; the details of an education contribution from the County Director of Place; comments from the Northern Area Working Party: a revised recommendation, amended wording for condition nine and an additional condition regarding the design of the cycle storage.

The recommendation was to approve the application subject to the payment for Natura 2000 sites contribution (£350) and the education contribution as requested by the County Director of Place; that Officers to be authorised to make an order under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the diversion of the section of footpath within the application site; the conditions as set out in the report, with condition nine amended as per the update sheet and an additional condition regarding the design of the cycle storage.

In answer to Members’ questions, the Head of Planning and Building Control stated that, although the units were intended for down sizing, they would not be limited to ‘over 55’s’; the education contribution was the standard requested by the County Council;’ the Council had taken contributions for Natura 2000 on other developments.

Councillor Martin, having given notice under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

The Development Manager presented the application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a ground floor extension on the south west elevation at 23 Wessex Close, Topsham, Exeter.

The recommendation was that the Certificate of Lawfulness be granted.

RESOLVED that the Certificate of Lawfulness for a ground floor extension on the south west elevation be granted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning and Building Control presented the application for a replacement outbuilding on the west boundary at 4 Pamela Road, Exeter. The materials to be used would be controlled by a condition.

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

RESOLVED that the application for replacement outbuilding on west boundary be approved subject to the following conditions:-

1)        C05  -  Time Limit - Commencement

2)         The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise than in strict accordance with the submitted details received by the Local Planning Authority on 25 August 2011,as modified by other conditions of this consent.

            Reason: In order to ensure compliance with the approved drawings.

3)        C17  -  Submission of Materials

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning and Building Control presented the report updating Members on objections that had been received by the Council to Exeter City Council Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 633 (Heathbrook Mews, Exeter) 2011. 

He advised Members that the site was previously subject to TPO 222 made in 1992 and following a review in 2006, TPO 222 had been revoked because it was outdated. An area TPO had been signed on 24 May 2011 and remained in force for a period of six months. It was proposed that the TPO should be modified so as to apply to four individual trees (two Willows and two Oaks) and one group of trees (one Oak, one Ash and two Cherries) which were identified to be of high public amenity value.

Members were circulated with an update sheet giving details of an on-site meeting that had been held with the owner of 3 Heathbrook Mews.

The recommendation was that the TPO 633 be confirmed with the modification referred to in paragraph 2.4 of the report.

Mr Jones spoke in support of the Tree Preservation Order. He raised the following points:-

• was the owner of the trees
• did not realise the original TPO had been removed until approached by a developer in late 2009
• did not want to see the trees removed
• would like to build a bungalow on the site for himself and his wife
• concerns regarding works that may need to be undertaken to the two oaks trees that had power lines above them.

The Head of Planning and Building Control stated that should pruning works need to be undertaken to the Oak trees the owner could make an application for tree works.

The Planning Solicitor clarified that Utility Companies could undertake works to trees covered by a TPO if they were essential for operational purposes.

RESOLVED that the TPO 633 be confirmed with the modification referred to in paragraph 2.4 of the report.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Planning and Building Control was submitted.

            RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning and Building Control presented the report updating Members on enforcement matters.

Members were updated on the position with regards to the unauthorised works to copper beech trees in 19 New North Road and the rear loft boxes in Jubilee Street.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

(Report circulated)

The Head of Planning and Building Control presented the schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Report circulated)

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 18 October 2011 at 9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Prowse and Sutton.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 18 October 2011 at 9.30 a.m.  The Councillors attending will be Bialyk, Prowse and Sutton.