Issue - meetings

                (Councillor Carolyne Culver declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that it was situated within her Ward and she is a resident of neighbouring East Ilsley. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

The Chairman wished to thank the officers involved for making the extraordinary site visit possible. 

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/01336/OUTMAJ in respect of the Institute for Animal Health, High Street, Compton. Approval was sought for a hybrid application: 1) Outline planning permission (all matters reserved with the exception of access), for development comprising of up to 160 residential units (Class C3), the provision of landscaping, construction of access and street lighting, car and cycle parking, other associated infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems, engineering works and mitigation measures including the construction of internal roads. The proposal included at least 1.75 hectares of employment land (Class B1) associated with the retention of the Intervet building and a playing field (Class D2) associated with the retention of the existing Cricket Pitch. 2) Full planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings, structures and hardstanding along with preparatory works including earthworks, remediation, utility works and associated mitigation measures. The change of use of land including the creation of public open space and wildlife area.

2.     Ms Lydia Mather, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Service Director – Development and Regulation be authorised to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the completion of a S106 legal agreement. 

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader – Highways Development Control, if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard made the following points:

·      There was an existing access on to the High Street which was acceptable with regards to width, geometry and sightlines. Although some further detail regarding sightlines was required, it was considered achievable and was being secured by condition.

·      There were other accesses on to Churn Road that served existing commercial premises, some of which would be retained within the proposal. The accesses to Churn Road would act as emergency access as the site is a cul-de-sac.

·      Pedestrian routes from and across the site / the public rights of way were acceptable to the Council.

·      The site had an existing use and it was suspected that consented uses on the site had a higher level of traffic generation than this proposal. However, Transport Assessment assessed the proposal as if there was nothing there. The area was surveyed extensively at numerous junctions, and it was also modelled using traffic modelling software. No junctions were found to have capacity issues, including the junction on to the A34 at East Ilsley (which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34