Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 January 2022;

DM.51/21             

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19^th January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record by the Committee. 

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

DM.52/21             

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered and the following were made:

Cllr B Taylor declared an Other Registerable Interest in applications 2133/19/VAR, 3422/21/FUL, 3470/21/HHO, and 4214/18/FUL (Minutes DM.54/21 (a), (c), (d) and (e) below refer), as he was a Member of the South Devon AONB Partnership Committee.  The Member remained in the meeting and took part in the debate and vote thereon;

Cllr R Foss declared a Non Registerable Interest in application 4219/20/OPA (Minute DM.54/21(6b) below refers). This was because the Member had an account with the applicant’s business.  The Member left the meeting for this application;

Cllr H Reeve declared a Non Registerable Interest in application 4219/20/OPA (Minute DM.54/21(6b) below refers).  This was because the Member had an account with the applicant’s business and a close relationship with an employee. The Member spoke in her capacity as the local Ward Member and then left the meeting for the remainder of this application.

The Chairman to advise the Committee on any requests received from members of the public to address the meeting;

DM.53/21             

The Chairman noted the list of members of the public, Town and Parish Council representatives, and Ward Members who had registered their wish to speak at the meeting.

To see Letters of Representation and further supplementary information relating to any of the Applications on the agenda, please select the following link and enter the relevant Planning Reference number: http://apps.southhams.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/

DM.54/21             

The Committee considered the details of the planning applications prepared by the Planning Case Officers as presented in the agenda papers, and considered also the comments of Town and Parish Councils, together with other representations received, which were listed within the presented agenda reports, and RESOLVED that:

6a)      2133/19/VAR     Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove

            Parish:  South Huish Parish Council

Development:   READVERTISEMENT Application for variation of condition 2 of planning consent 46/2401/14/F

Case Officer Update

The Case Officer outlined the three reasons for the previous deferral: alternative roof safety railing, detailed landscaping scheme, and roof tiles to be more similar to those previously agreed. One late letter of representation had been received which was in support of the application.  It was confirmed that the build height was between 0.58m and 0.82m higher than the previously approved application.  Members’ attention was brought to pages two to five of the published case officer report as the applicant had now agreed to remove the railings.  The landscaping scheme had been submitted, with the landscape officer happy with the detail, however, it was noted that the drawing already differed from some of the work already carried out on site. The case officer showed examples of the tiles:  one untreated and the other with one coat of the fix suggested by the applicant.

Speakers included:      Supporter – Mr W Ireland; Objector – Mr N Stoop; Ward Members – Cllrs M Long and J Pearce.

One Ward Member showed slides to illustrate the differences between the approved application and the current build, highlighting the substantial increase in overbearing of the hotel, and the impact of the orange pantiles used as opposed to the originally slates authorised, Marley Eternit tiles.   The Ward Member referred to the applicant’s reference to the potential closure of the hotel if the application was refused, but stated that no economic evidence of this had ever been received.  As a Member of the Development Management Committee when the original approval had been granted, the Ward Member reminded the Committee that the approval had been a very finely balanced decision as it was acknowledged at the time that the plans were at the very limit of acceptability, and that the building was now substantially over and above the original approved plans, with extra additions to the front and height.  Vehicle access had been constructed at the back which was not on the original plans increasing concreted elements that were to the detriment of landscaping.

The second Ward Member reminded the Committee of the three points to be discussed at this meeting.  He drew Members attention to the difficulties endured by all businesses over the last two years.

During the discussion, several Members referred to the need for applications to be built according to approved plans, and that this building was contrary to all guidelines, including the Joint Local Plan (JLP), National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Heritage Coasts. 

Recommendation:      Refusal

Committee decision:  Conditional Approval

Conditions 

2.         In accordance with approved plans/amended plans

4.  ...  view the full minutes text for item DM.54/21

DM.55/21             

Members noted the list of appeals as outlined in the presented agenda report. 

DM.56/21             

The list of undetermined major applications was noted.

DM.57/21

The Chair and Committee Members thanked the Council’s Solicitor as this was her last Committee Meeting before leaving the Council.  Her expertise, professionalism, and measured approach were commended and would be missed.