Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 December 2022;

DM.49/22             

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 December 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.50/22             

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

Cllr Hodgson declared a personal interest in application 6(e) (minutes DM.52/22 (e) below refer) as the applicant’s partner is known to the Member. 

Cllr Pannell declared a personal interest in application 6(h) (minutes DM.52/22 (h) below refer) as a founder of Ivybridge Rugby Club.  Cllr Pannell left the meeting for this application and took no part in the debate nor vote thereon.

Cllr Pringle declared a personal interest in application 6(h) (minutes DM.52/22 (h) below refer) as a voluntary director of Ivybridge Rugby Club.  Cllr Pringle left the meeting for this application and took no part in the debate nor vote thereon.

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

DM.51/22             

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.52/22             

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)   1984/22/FUL   Higher Coltscombe Farm, Slapton

  Parish:  Slapton

         Development:  Siting of two shepherd's huts for holiday accommodation with car port / store / solar pv structure and landscaping (Resubmission of 4366/21/FUL)

         This application was Chaired by Cllr Rowe (Vice-Chair).

Case Officer Update:   The Case Officer provided an update on the public right of way as requested at the site visit.  They identified the key issues as including:

·      Tourist accommodation site in an unsuitable location (limited access to services and amenities, heavy reliance on private car);

·      No evidence for specific local need for tourism accommodation and how this development specifically responds to farm diversification requirements;

·      Would create a dispersed and detached tourism facility that does not respect the scenic quality, tranquillity, remoteness and pastoral rural qualities of the landscape character Type 5a of the area.

In response to questions raised, it was reported that it is unlikely that the development would be widely visible from the public footpath.

Speakers were:  Objector – None, Supporter – Tom Sylger Jones, Parish Council – None, Ward Member - Cllr R Foss

         In response to questions, the supporter reported:

·      A vast majority of the land will be a wildflower meadow;

·      The water will be drained through a pipe to a treatment facility and there was flexibility on the siting of the facility;

·      A detailed landscape and ecological plan will be provided if application approved;

·      Solar panels will largely meet the requirements with a diesel/gas generator as a backup.

The Ward Member said that the Officer has followed the policy, however this application not in AONB or Heritage Site.  This site unsuitable for modern day farming and farming needs to diversify. This application is making best use of the land, not visible from the public footpath and inaccessible which makes this attractive to tourists.  He concluded by saying that he fully supported this application.

During the debate Members made arguments that farmers now have to diversify and felt that this application supported tourism.  In terms of sustainability this is off-grid, not imposing on the network with a low carbon impact.  Concerns were raised on the generator, drainage and ecology plans.  Members wanted to ensure the biodiversity net gain and potential to increase for maximum benefit.  Some Members raised that there was a danger of going against polices on sustainability in the countryside and this could lead to an influx of similar applications.

The Head of Development supported the Officer recommendation to refuse on the basis that carbon emissions in rural areas were not reducing. 

Recommendation:                Refusal

Committee decision:            Delegated to the Head of Development Management for approval subject to conditions being agreed in consultation with Cllrs Hodgson and Brazil to include the following:

·         water supply  ...  view the full minutes text for item DM.52/22

DM.47/22             

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

DM.48/22             

Members noted the update on undetermined major applications as outlined in the presented agenda report.