DM.24/20
The Committee considered the details
of the planning application 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)
2545/19/FUL “Land at Venn
Lane”, Norton
Parish: Stoke Fleming
Development:
Retrospective application for change of use of land to provide site
for the Stagecoach bus depot and highway improvements.
Case Officer Update: There were no updates
Speakers included:
Supporter – Ms A Burden; Parish
Council – Cllr S Coupar; Ward
Member – Cllr H Reeve; Neighbouring Ward Member – Cllr
H Bastone
Recommendation:
Conditional approval
During questions with the Case Officer, it was clarified that,
should this application be approved, Condition 4 would be updated
to reflect that the application is retrospective; a new condition
would be applied to move the gates in by six metres to allow
vehicles to pull off the road before the gates were opened;
condition of hedge planting would involve Members; and an
additional condition would be added to ensure that, if the site
were vacated in the future, then it would be returned to its
original condition and for agricultural use.
During the discussion Members noted that the site was outside of
the development boundary as defined in the Joint Local Plan (JLP)
and the agreement made during the Baker Estates application that
Venn Lane would form the boundary with no further development
beyond this lane. Some Members felt
that approval would set a precedent and potentially allow increased
development in the countryside.
It was also noted that while the Case Officer’s report made
mention of the 260 chalets nearby, no mention was made of the
houses right next to this site, which would be affected by noise
and fumes, and overlooking, and no mention was made of
Environmental Health consultation.
Although the Case Officer had stated there were no traffic problems
as the site and the field behind had been used for park and ride
for the Dartmouth Royal Regatta, the Ward Member clarified that
Highways had been so concerned about traffic that the Regatta had
had to install traffic lights on this road. In addition, this park and ride facility had not
been used for the last two regattas. It
was felt that screening was very poor and that there had been no
photograph supplied during the report that looked towards Venn
Road. Members also felt that
alternatives sites had not been explored enough and that the
industrial area in the Bakers Estate could be one such potential
site.
Members acknowledged the importance of public transport and that a
suitable site for Stage Coach was needed, however, due to access
issues, visual amenity, and development outside of the JLP
boundary, this site was not appropriate.
In the event of the recommendation for refusal being approved, the
Head of Development Management informed Members that, as a
retrospective application, there would then be ...
view the full minutes text for item DM.14/20