Agenda and draft minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Councillor Phil Bignell declared an interest in application WND/2021/0552 Teeton and advised that he would leave the room during the discussion and voting.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 8^th September 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Daventry Local Area Planning Committee of 8^th September 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair advised that application DA/2021/0592 Weedon had been deferred.

DA/2018/0602 NORTON – Change of use of agricultural land to retail. Construction of three new retail buildings, including garden centre, relocation of existing cabins and containers and provision of 46 extra parking spaces including 4 disabled spaces – Heart of the Shires Shopping Village, Watling Street

Councillor Daniel Cribbin advised that the agent for the application was a neighbour but the application had not been discussed.

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the application and the proposed increase in size of the retail area and car parking. Officers considered that a sequential test would not have been required had the garden centre element been submitted separately, as the proposal would have been under the required threshold. The proposal would have a negligible impact on the town centre as the retail units catered to a niche market. Highways England had raised no objections. The increased size would impact on the character and appearance of the locality but it was considered that mitigation could be carried out to make the impact acceptable.

Councillor Peter Matten proposed that officers’ advice to approve the application be accepted. The proposition was seconded by Councillor Alan Chantler.

Councillor Rosie Humphreys was concerned that the sequential test was not carried out as required. The Principal Planning Officer advised that there were concerns that the addendum had not been included in the sequential test, although on balance the impact was not considered so adverse as to recommend refusal.

Councillor Humphreys considered that it had not been proved that there was no impact on the town centre. There were concerns regarding sustainability and viability.

The Principal Planning Officer noted that the large garden centre had tipped the proposal over the threshold for a sequential test and would not have been required had the applications been submitted separately. The site was an existing rural enterprise with an existing client base and on balance, officers were of the opinion that it should be supported.

The proposition was put to the meeting was declared carried with 7voting in favour, none against and one abstention.

RESOLVED:

That the application be approved, as set out in the report.

DA/2021/0344 STAVERTON – Proposed change of use of existing buildings to use Class E (commercial, business and service) to allow for any of the following uses (A) retail sale of goods; (B) sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises; (C) (I) financial services; (II) professional services; (III) any other services which it is appropriate to provide in a commercial, business or service locality; (D) indoor sport, recreation or fitness to visiting members of the public; (E) provision of medical or health services; (F) a crèche, day nursery or day centre; (G) (I) an office, (II) research and development or (III) any industrial process, being a use which can be carried out in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit) and to include expansion of existing lake for leisure fishing and construction of new car park with associated landscaping works all to be accessed off existing entrance from A428 – Staverton Hill Farm, Badby Lane

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the application and planning history of the site. Many of the trees around the site were protected. Policies were in place to support rural enterprises. The application sought to double the size of the fishing lake, which was not readily visible from the surrounding areas. Residents were concerned with the impact of the car park as well as the potential uses of the site. Class E had a wide range of uses, many of which were acceptable in a residential area but some could cause concern during unsociable hours.

Environmental Health has suggested conditions restricting use from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am until 4pm on Saturdays with no use on Sundays and bank holidays. Deliveries would also be subject to the same time restrictions. On balance, officers recommended approval.

Mrs Simpson spoke against the application, and the Chair used his discretion to allow Mr McGibbin to speak on behalf of the Parish Council.

The Principal Planning Officer noted that the Inspectors report did not refer to the scale and physical impact of the carpark or its impact on the Special Landscape Area (SLA), although reference was made to the use of the carpark and buildings during antisocial hours, hence the proposed conditions to mitigate this aspect.

Councillor Peter Matten considered that the Inspector was concerned about the carpark if he had expressed concerns over its use. The Principal Planning Officer advised that the Inspector’s comments referred to different elements of the carpark. Concerns were not regarding the physical construction of the carpark but rather its use.

Councillor David Smith supported the Parish Council and residents. The site would have a detrimental effect on residents. Class E was a very broad use class which could result in noise and disturbance. There would also be a cumulative effect of many different businesses operating from the site. Any use after 5pm/5.30pm was not appropriate. The application should be refused and should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

DA/2021/0552 TEETON– Variation of condition 2 of planning permission DA/2020/0385 (detached double garage and workshop) to amend position and increase gable width, ridge height and slab height – Old White Horse, Creaton Road

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the application. The garage had not been constructed in accordance with approved plans and the application had been submitted to regularise matters. The length and width had increased by some 500mm, with a 200mm increase on the eaves height. The location had also altered slightly. Members’ attention was drawn to the list of late representations.

Mr Blake spoke against the application, Mr Crisp spoke on behalf of the Parish Council and Mrs Stockley the applicant addressed the Committee.

The Principal Planning Officer noted that Officers had considered the development plan, the Village Design Statement, the previous approval and harm caused. Officers deemed the impact acceptable. The overall footprint of the garage was the same as the 2018 application.

Councillor Phil Bignell advised that he had called in the application as requested by the Parish Council. The application should be refused as the applicant had given no heed to the planning process. The previous application for a development of this size had been refused. The ridge height may have since been reduced but the building was set higher than approved. The development contravened the Village Design Statement, was set on a rising site and was therefore dominant in the surroundings and intruded unopen the street scene.

Councillor Phil Bignell left the room during consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor Wendy Randall was surprised that the application had been approved initially as it was very dominate in the surroundings. The Principal Planning Officer advised that retrospective applications were permitted but consideration had to be given to reasons for refusal. The development would look better once completed and rendered, and the new location was little further away from the neighbouring property.

Councillor Alan Chanter was aware that many people did not like retrospective applications but they were within the rules. Once completed, the position and size of the garage would be acceptable within the street scene.

Councillor Chantler proposed that officers’ advice to approve the application be accepted.

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Rosie Humphreys and on being put to the meeting was declared carried with 5 voting in favour, one against and one abstention.

RESOLVED:

That the application be approved, as set out in the report.

The Chair advised that application DA/2021/0592 Weedon had been deferred.