Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 July 2023;

DM.19/23         

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 July 2023 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.20/23         

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

By virtue of being a local Ward Member, Cllr M Long advised that he would be relinquishing the Chair for application 6(a) and (b) (minute DM.22/23(a) and (b) below refers).  As a result, the Vice-Chairman chaired the meeting during consideration of these applications.

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

DM.21/23         

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.22/23         

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

6a)          0915/22/FUL      "Land off Bantham Beach Road", Bantham

                                                 Parish:  Thurlestone

Development:  READVERTISEMENT (revised plans & documents) Erection of replacement beach shower/toilet block, replacement village sewage treatment plant, new residents/mooring holders car park and new parking, and ANPR system on the beach road and car park.

Case Officer Update:   The Case Officer summarised the key issues, namely that:

Principle/justification for the development in the AONB, Undeveloped and Heritage Coast and outside the settlement boundary identified in the Neighbourhood Plan (NP):

   •   TTV26, DEV24, DEV25 of the JLP.  TP2 of the NP.

   •   Section 1.0 of the Officers Report considers the principle of development and concludes that Officers consider such to be acceptable.

         Landscape character and appearance within the Undeveloped Coast and South Devon AONB:

   •   DEV20, DEV23, DEV24, DEV25 of the JLP and TP1 and TP22 of the NP.

   •   Following revisions to the proposals to ensure that the development provides both landscape mitigation and enhancement measures, no objections were raised from the Landscape Officer, subject to conditions to secure full landscape details and levels.  It was considered that the proposed development would conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area.

   •   AONB Unit agree with comments from the Landscape Officer.

         Heritage Impacts – including impacts on the setting of heritage assets, including Listed Buildings and areas of archaeological interest, including Bantham Ham Scheduled Ancient Monument:

   •   DEV 21 of the JLP and TP21 of the NP.

   •   Historic England raised no objections.

   •   DCC Historic Environment Officer and SHDC Heritage Officer raised no objections, subject to conditions being imposed.

Following matters were also considered as set out in the officer’s reports.  It was considered that the impacts of the proposed development were acceptable in relation to such matters subject to conditions being imposed:

   •   Neighbour amenity

   •   Highways impacts

   •   Drainage

   •   Ecology/Trees

   •   Low Carbon Development

In response to questions, the Officer reported that:

   •   The sewage treatment plant would serve the village, the estate office and the Sloop Inn;

   •   The car park includes 42 spaces and privately owned;

   •   The Committee could consider a light reduction condition on the toilet block;            

   •   The landscaping scheme included trees and hedges that would be retained;

   •   The car park was currently used by local residents, mooring holders and estate office;

   •   It was difficult to calculate the number of informal parking spaces along the verge.

Speakers were:  Objector – None, Supporter – Mr Philip Frithz, Parish Council – Cllr Lewis, Ward Members – Cllrs M Long and S Dennis.

In response to questions raised, the supporter reported that:

   •   Cycle racks could be considered;

   •   The car park was for use by the residents, mooring holders and the estate  ...  view the full minutes text for item DM.22/23

DM.23/23         

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

DM.24/23         

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