Application to extend the time limit of P0962/06/OUT - Outline application for the erection of dwellings and construction of vehicular access.  (Renewal of consent)

Application to extend the time limit of P0962/06/OUT - Outline application for the erection of dwellings and construction of vehicular access.  (Renewal of consent)

Development Control Manager, Clive Reynolds, reminded members that this application had been deferred at the committee meeting on 8 November 2011 to await the views of the Coal Authority. He said that the Coal Authority had since addressed the reasons for deferral and had withdrawn their previous objections to the scheme, subject to an additional condition requesting a site investigation prior to development. The Development Control Manager informed the committee that the application related to an extension of time for an existing permission at the site. He said that, other than the reason for deferral and improvements to the Coleford Drainage System, there were no material planning considerations to warrant a different decision to the one that had been granted permission in 2009. The recommendation therefore remained to grant permission, as detailed on page 59 and 60 of the agenda.

Public speaking

Speaking as an objector, (and having objected to the proposals at the previous meeting), the speaker said that he hoped the committee would continue to support him in his concerns about the safety of site. He said that the matter was now in the hands of the committee and he hoped members would keep tight control of the situation.

Referring to the use of an experimental soakaway system at the site, the speaker said that there was no evidence to indicate that such a system was viable. Expressing reservations about the way in which the decision to grant permission in 2009 had been processed, the speaker suggested that there had been a lack of due diligence from officers in not advising the applicant or the committee that the Coal Authority had an interest in the matter.

Noting the lack of objection from the Coal Authority and anticipating that the committee would grant permission, the speaker said he hoped the site would be monitored carefully. He also hoped that any decision would be subject to inspections from the council’s building control team to oversee control of any conditions imposed to prevent the hydraulic overload of the existing drainage system.

Committee consideration

Group Manager for Planning and Housing, Peter Williams, advised the committee that there was no foundation to the comments that had been made by the public speaker. He said that the circumstances in 2009 were different to current circumstances and that the Coal Authority had not raised any objections at that time. Since then, the Coal Authority had updated their records and had changed their response accordingly. The Group Manager said that, following a full reassessment of the situation, the Coal Authority had withdrawn its objections, (as detailed in the update report on page 59 of the agenda), subject to an additional condition to undertake a site investigation to safeguard the site. The Group Manager reminded the committee that this decision only related to an extension of time for the outline application for the site.

Invited to speak as a local, (non-committee), member, Councillor Maria Edey referred to a letter from the Coal Authority and expressed concern about the safety of the site. Group Manager for Planning and Housing noted the contents of the letter and the concerns from Councillor Edey. With the understanding that a copy of the letter was available on the council’s website, the Group Manager advised Councillor Edey that her concerns would be addressed by the additional condition on page 59 of the agenda. Local, (non-committee), member, Councillor Frank Baynham, referred to the additional condition and said that it was important for safety investigations at this site to be undertaken before work commenced. Several other members, including local committee member, Councillor Paul McMahon shared this sentiment. Councillor McMahon also suggested a condition regarding play facilities form part of the outline application.

Vote

Based on the proviso that the concerns from the previous meeting had now been addressed, Councillor Norman Stephens moved the revised recommendation. Councillor Graham Morgan seconded the motion. A recorded vote was taken and members,

RESOLVED that the application be granted permission, subject to the conditions presented at the committee meeting on 8 November 2011 and to the additional condition and note as detailed in the update report on pages 59 and 60 of the agenda.

For (12)

Councillors James Bevan, Philip Burford, Gethyn Davies, Frankie Evans, Terry Glastonbury, Brian Jones, Graham Morgan, Norman Stephens, Lynn Sterry, Arthur Thomas, David Thompson and Roger Yeates.

Against (0)

Abstentions (2) Councillors Jackie Frazer and Paul McMahon