Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

He reminded Members of the Committee that they should not vote on an application if they are not present at the meeting to hear the entire debate on the application.

Councillor Bullivant declared an Appendix A interest in application 18/01276/MAJ, by virtue of a close family member having an interest in the application, and withdrew from the meeting.

The Committee considered the reports of the Business Manager – Strategic

Place, together with comments of public speakers, additional information

reported by the officers and information detailed in the late representations

updates document previously circulated.

The Business Manager advised that since the publication of the updates sheet previously circulated, a further 16 representation had been received, but which raised no new issues. These included a representation from Abbotskerswell Parish Council and the NHS. In response to the comments from the NHS, the recommendation at agenda page 3 is updated to include a contribution to Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, subject to negotiations, in the Section 106 Agreement.

Public speaker, objector – Represented Abbotskerswell Parish Council and Wolborough Residents Association. Objected on the grounds of: detrimental impact on the South Hams SAC and the Greater Horseshoe Bats population; no new evidence has come to light that it is certain beyond reasonable scientific doubt that there would be no adverse effect on the SHSAC; lack of survey work in relation to the Greater Horseshoe Bat and detrimental impact on biodiversity; case law provides evidence that a satisfactory Habitat Regulations Assessment is required before an application is approved; and detrimental effect on the SSSI Wolborough Fen.

Public speaker, objector – The application lacks detail; and a significant number of objections from residents and public bodies; no new evidence to resolve the objections; unreasonable to approve the application today when there are so many outstanding pertinent issues; it is premature pending a Master Plan; surveys are not complete to prove that beyond reasonable scientific doubt there would be no adverse effect on the SHSAC; infrastructure is a key policy requirement; the applicants have advised that the link road between the A380 and the A381 cannot be provided until 500 houses have been sold and that only a small spinal road would be provided. This has increased from 300 as requested by Devon County Council; the high court ruling regarding Habitat Regulations Assessments and insufficient detail, information and evidence to support an acceptable application and development, requires the refusal of the application.

The Business Manager referred to the allocation of the site in the adopted Local Plan, and therefore the application should not be held  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.