Agenda and minutes

*DM&L.36     

  Apologies were received from Cllr Leech and Cllr Jory for who Cllr Kimber substituted

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&L.37     

 There were no declarations of interests.

To consider those items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered by the Meeting as matters of urgency (if any). 

*DM&L.38       

  There was no urgent business brought forward to this meeting.

For Meetings held on 31 October 2023 and 21 November 2023, and the

Licensing Sub Committee Meeting 24 October 2023

*DM&L.39       

The updated minutes from the Committee meeting held on 31 October 2023, the minutes from the Committee meeting held on 21 November and the minutes from the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 October were agreed as a true and correct record.

To see Letters of Representation and further supplementary information relating to any of the planning applications on the agenda, please select the following link and enter the relevant Reference number: https://apps.westdevon.gov.uk//PlanningSearchMVC/

*DM&L.40     

The Committee proceeded to consider the report and presentation that had been prepared by the relevant Planning Officer on the following application and also considered the comments of the Parish Councils together with other representations received, which were listed within the presented agenda report and summarised below:

(a) Application No 1769 /23/FUL      Ward: Buckland Monachorum           Site Address: Uphill, Yelverton PL20 6DF

Development: Use of walled garden for weddings, workshops

& food events, construction of four ancillary buildings within

the walled garden, use of part of adjacent barn for wedding ceremonies & construction of external staircase to barn (part

retrospective) (resubmission of 2992/22/FUL)

Recommendation: Conditional Approval

Conditions

1.       Standard time limit

2.       Accord with plans

3.       Use (weddings, workshops & food events)

4.       Walled garden (catering)

5.       Tie to Listed Building

6.       Number of events

7.      Time of events – to protect the barn owls and amenity of neighbours

8.       Number of guests

9.       Sustainable travel plan

10.     Lighting plan

11.     Noise management plan

12.     Amplified music

13.     Ecological appraisal

14.     Existing nesting site (prior to commencement)

15.     New nesting site (prior to commencement)

16.     Barn owl monitoring

17.     Remove when no longer required

Key issues for Committee consideration:

•        Locality (countryside)

•        Heritage (Listed Building)

•        Landscape

•        Ecology (barn owl)

•        Amenity (noise and lighting)

•        Highways and access

The Planning Officer gave a presentation to the Members on the

application.

The business plan submitted showed up to 15 courses per calendar year. Up to 10 Day/evening events per calendar year, up to 20 small events/elopement weddings per year and up to 10 late finish events per calendar year. 16 letters of representation were received in

support and 16 against the application.

In response to a Member question the Planning Officer stated that the associated Listed Building application was not being heard at Committee as it related to minor works to the barn and no objections had been received. It was confirmed that the glass house would also be used as a gardening space.

The Environmental Health Officer stated that the noise heard from the boundary of the site would be ambient and blend into the background. She stated that it would be for the owner to demonstrate they are complying with the noise levels.

A noise management plan had been received from the applicant. A noise limiter was to be used to cut back any music being played too loudly. If the noise levels were too high and complaints received, it would be dealt with by Environmental Health Officer and in some circumstances a Noise Abatement Notice could be considered.

She said those to the south of the site would be less likely to hear noise as most of the winds are from the south or southwest.

She said measurements are not taken for any particular planning applications, however, they are aware that most noise in the countryside is recorded at around 25 decibels.

The Planning Officer explained that sound proofing in the barn along with provision of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item *DM&L .40/23

*DM&L.41    

The Head of Development Management took Members through the appeals that had been given decisions. Application 2391/22/HHO, a householder application for a rear extension at Southmoor, Thorndon Cross, with officer recommendation for refusal was upheld on appeal by the Inspector.

The Planning Officer had refused due to the effect on the character and appearance of the host building, the rural location and also due to the site being close to the Dartmoor National Park. The Inspector had concluded the only views of the extension would be from some distance away and didn’t feel the primacy of the host dwelling would be diminished. A Member felt the Inspectors decision should be questioned. The original application was refused due to size and scale. An application was presented for a smaller extension with this extra extension being proposed. The Parish Council had felt the Neighbourhood Plan had not been considered.

The Inspector agreed with the decision on Application 3844/22/FUL at Exbourne for the refusal of three dwellings. He felt the bulk and massing of the development would create a mass of development where there was none currently. It would also have a harmful effect on an oak tree with a tree preservation order on it.

Application 4242/21/FUL for a five-bedroom house in Highampton was dismissed on Appeal. It was submitted as being of outstanding architectural value under para. 80 (5) of the NPPF, being an unusual design with a fish hatchery under the building.

Application 1183/23/HHO for an extension to a converted barn at 2 Fowley Barns, Okehampton was upheld on appeal. The Inspector felt the extension would have a neutral effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

*DM&L.42   

The Head of Planning stated that the applicant for application 2915/19/FUL, The Wool Grading Centre at North Tawton, was trying to resolve a flooding issue. The Planning Officer overseeing the case has given them until Christmas to submit additional information. If this is not received the Officer would be looking for a recommendation for refusal.  

Regarding application 4004/21/FUL, Former Hazeldon Preparatory School, Tavistock, information was awaited from the applicant by the Heritage Officer for works on Hazeldon House. He had been in conversation with the architect and plans are expected to be provided on the back of that conversation.