Agenda and draft minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2024 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

Councillors Hussain and Miller-Boam chose to recuse themselves for agenda item no. 5, having previously attended residents’ meetings on the application in question. Consequently, they left the meeting for the duration of the item.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

Once Councillors Hussain and Miller-Boam had left the meeting, the Head of City Development presented the application for Change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a residential children's home (Use Class C2).

Members received a presentation which included:-

·         site location plan;

·         aerial views;

·         photographs of 21 Huntsham Road (outside and inside);

·         floor plans;

·         proposal overview;

·         key planning issues; and

·         officer recommendation.

The Head of City Development clarified that:-

·         the fire service was erroneously referred to in the report as the “Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service” instead of its correct name “Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service”;

·         despite correspondence received by officers which questioned the validity of the application, the Planning Solicitor was satisfied that the application was valid; and

·         it was not felt that there would be any serious health and safety concerns arising from traffic movements, which would be similar to those of a five-bedroom family home.

The Head of City Development responded to questions from Members as follows:-

·         the covenant on the residential area was not a relevant material matter for the Planning Committee;

·         previous occupation would not be a determining factor;

·         the driveway was shared between two properties, with right of way;

·         the Certificate B notice had been correctly served;

·         there was no access to the back of the property; and

·         there was no statutory requirement for Devon County Council Social Services to be consulted.

Speaking under Standing Order 44, Councillor Wood made reference to:-

·         his duty to speak on behalf of a large number of residents;

·         the 56 objections received and the 153 petition signatures;

·         residents’ ‘fear of the unknown’;

·         the obligation for a local authority to take residents’ view into consideration;

·         the narrowness of the load and lack of pavement;

·         the potential of additional cars parked in the direct neighbourhood;

·         the constrained streets;

·         concern about emergency vehicles;

·         the absence of concerns raised by Devon and Cornwall Police;

·         the walk-through at the back of the property; and

·         overall concern that children were being put in a setting where they were not wanted.

In responses to questions from Members, Councillor Wood made the following further comments:-

·         the children’s home should have a community liaison person / single point of contact;

·         while parking issues would not necessarily be more significant than for a five-bedroom family home, shift-work would be an issue;

·         parking was under pressure in Pinhoe;

·         the process for introducing residents’ parking was arduous and not guaranteed;

·         the house was suited to the scheme presented but only in isolation;

·         the established community in Huntsham Road had raised concerns about covenants as well as parking; and

·         ultimately, the scheme being presented was a business.

Members responded to Councillor Wood’s statement and subsequent answers as follows:-

·         the fact that there was no access to the property from the garden and that the property was in a cul-de-sac made it an ideal location;

·         Devon County Council had not raised any issue;

·         children’s homes were regulated by OFSTED;

·         residents who were concerned about parking should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

Councillors Hussain and Miller-Boam rejoined the meeting.

The report of the Strategic Director for Place was noted.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

A Member enquired how Exeter City Council fared in the national Appeals statistics. The Head of City Development replied that he had not yet produced the latest statistics but felt confident that there was no cause for concern.

The report of the Strategic Director for Place was noted.