Agenda item

Councillor Choules declared an interest as he knows users of the Countess Wear Village Hall.

The Assistant Director City Development presented the application for the demolition of the Countess Wear Village Hall and erection of a new hall with an office and meeting room on the first floor, as replacement for the existing village hall.

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report and two additional conditions to cover hours of construction (standard condition) and hours of operation, details be agreed with the Chair of Planning Committee.

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

·         the existing hall was low on the horizon and barely noticeable

·         this site was not the right location for this large community centre

·         the proposed two storey hall was not in keeping with the street scene and would cause overlooking

·         would cause parking problems in the surrounding area

·         concerns regarding increase in noise emanating from the hall and smells from the use of the kitchen

·         the narrow path way to the entrance could cause access issues.

He responded as follows to Members queries:-

·         there was presently no noise nuisance in the day but had concerns regarding amplified music and live performances in the evening time, the application should not be determined until the Environmental Assessment has been received.

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

·         the building was a valuable community asset for the City but the present building was no longer a suitable facility

·         had followed Planning Officers advice

·         the layout with the stage near the road was to enable the building to meet Disability Discrimination Act  Regulations; the building was also set lower down than the existing building

·         the project met the Council’s Strategic Policies C.P 10 and 17

·         had not received any complaints to date

·         asked the Committee to approve the application.

He responded as follows to Members queries:-

·         the capacity of the new building would be approximately 100, about the same capacity as the current building

·         did not anticipate that there would be more than a few events each year where hot food would be prepared

·         the building was already very well used and did not envisage that the expansion of use would be any more than 10%.

Members supported this application for an improved modern community facility

RESOLVED that planning permission for the demolition of the Countess Wear Village Hall and erection of a new hall with an office on first floor, as replacement for the existing village hall be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:-

7)     hours of construction – standard.

8)     hours of use details to be agreed with the Chair of Planning Committee.