Minutes Planning Committee - Monday 14 December 2009
Committee Members Present:
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)
Councillor A Leech (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor A Raymond (Chair, Parks)
Councillor C Hodgson (Chair, P & R)
Other Members Present:
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor Mrs D Smith
Councillor P Vachon
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
396. Apologies for Absence - An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor Ms Edwards.
397. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
398. Members’ Questions -
Handrail behind Waitrose - Councillor Vachon questioned the position on this. Councillor Mrs Marsh reported she would investigate.
Councillor Ireland referred to the initiative relating to a modern history of the town, referenced the top of the Arcade and the satellite dish detracting from the architecture and questioned whether planning permission was required; the Borough Planning Officer to be consulted.
399. Minutes - The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 23 November 2009 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor C Hodgson, seconded by Councillor M Ireland.
400. Matters Arising -
400.1 Proposed Development Link Road Okehampton - A letter from the County Solicitor advised that Councillor J Clatworthy acknowledged the town and Council’s opposition to this proposal, the Planning Inspector’s decision and suggested development was inevitable. Further, that the restrictive covenant was effectively unenforceable as a means of controlling this and the land required to accommodate the layout was peripheral and concluded that the County Council had agreed to cover both elements of the proposed transaction to accept the financial offer.
The Chairman referred to a site meeting where Councillor Clatworthy acknowledged the Council’s total opposition to the use of this parcel of land and this Council’s appeal to retain a strip of green land in the town centre, further questioned benefits to Okehampton from this capital receipt whilst acknowledging the County’s financial difficulties. A degree of disgust was expressed that the County had lifted the covenant for a small fee when parcels of land were being sought across the town for urban gardens. Members acknowledged that the County made a mistake on the covenant, but suggested that the community benefit should have been considered and the public informed through the press of the County Council’s decision over this land. Members acknowledged the friction between two residents and the role of the County Council with the planning authority in determining this issue and noted that situation. Members further questioned the role of the Town Council as a planning consultee, which comment was challenged as the planning authority did support Town Council comments and was often overturned at appeal. Members were disappointed over the decision, acknowledged suggestions to look at other green spaces in the town to protect them and on the proposition of Councillor Hodgson, seconded by Councillor Ireland, it was resolved that the Chairman compile and present a report at the Annual Town Assembly discussing this case with the press to report to the community whilst inviting Members and the community to look at other parcels of land with a view to protecting the same (Councillor Hodgson requested a laptop and Powerpoint for presentation at the Annual Town Assembly).
400.2 Ockment Centre - Members received an invitation to attend an Open Day on Tuesday 15 December 2009, 11.00 - 5.30; noted.
400.3 Various Planning Developments - The Chairman referred to this Council’s concerns over alleged planning permission at various town locations as below.
(i) 17 East Street - this is currently business use, was previously retail, the Enforcement Officer to revisit and respond.
(ii) Tile shop fronting former cinema St James Street - currently retail, formerly business use, Enforcement Officer to research.
(iii) Bellway housing development, Exeter Road, Fatherford Lane, lollipop sign - Devon County Highways, West Devon Homes need permission, Enforcement Officer to research.
(iv) A-boards across town, Members acknowledge County and Borough policies against this placement, Enforcement Officer to research, issue warnings and remove if necessary.
(v) Mill Road rebuilding site - Councillor Mrs Marsh asked the position on this redevelopment, Enforcement Officer to be consulted.
401. Plans - The Committee examined the following plans and made comment where appropriate.
13516/2009/OKE SX59045,94978
Listed building
Replacement windows
Flat 6, The Old Mill, Mill Road, Okehampton EX20 1PR
Mrs F Cook
Members supported this application
13545/2009/OKE 2585330,952220
Full
Erection of sun room and garage
Middlebury, Ranelagh Road, Okehampton EX20 1JG
Mr & Mrs S Crook
Members supported this application
Devon County Council
Okehampton College - Mill Road
Town and Country Planning General Regulations - Regulation 3 - building of new skills centre with solar panels on roof at Okehampton College
Members supported this application.
402. Okehampton Job Centre - Councillor Mrs Bickley referred to correspondence between the MP and the Manager of the job centre, which advised of reasons for closing the permanent and temporary job centres in the town and referenced customers who visited Launceston or Exeter job centres. The letter also advised there was little progress on the provision of a job centre in Tavistock, however the MP was pursuing this. The Chairman referred to a letter in the local press from the Manager of the CAB which advised that unemployed could sign on the dole through the post if the journey time exceeded an hour to the job centre. Members acknowledged conflicting stories of the operation of the job centre and on the proposition of Councillor Mrs Bickley, seconded by Councillor Ireland, it was resolved to write to the Manager of the job centre stating the current system was inadequate in supporting the unemployed with reference to the letter from the CAB on signing on by post.
403. Members’ Reports -
G10 - The Clerk advised that the minutes of the G10 meeting were available in his office.
Meeting closed 8.00 pm.
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