Agenda item

The Committee considered the agenda report and additional information reported by the Business Manager- Strategic Place.

Councillors Hook and Wrigley declared an interest in the application due to being close associates with the applicant.

Public Speaker – Supporter: Spoke on the direct road access, recyclable materials, sight of the building from the road is obstructed by on site foliage, there have been no objections from consultants, and compliance with policies including S12.

Comments from Councillors included: The building is hidden well from public view, the ground being built on is unpleasant anyway, other unattractive buildings already exist on site, there would be a positive impact on business and tourism in a time when it is needed, the site was in need of more storage space, the building is restricted to the corner of the site, helps remove waste from the courtyard area, there are other buildings in the area that negatively impact the scenery too, the site is very reputable, Devon County Council support the application, there would be a positive impact on the surrounding area’s waste management, is it normal for the DCC and Teignbridge Officers to disagree on an application and what is the recommended colour for the building.

The Business Manager responded by explaining that it was not unusual for officers to disagree on an application because they were focused on different parts of the application, and that the recommended colour for the building was grey as it allows the building to blend into the environment better than green. They also warned that the local area was sensitive to change.

Further comments from Councillors included: The site is shielded on 3 sides, the application should include a replanting scheme, the design is inappropriate, the building will be visible once the trees shed their leaves, 2 and a half thousand square feet makes the building prominent, and had there been any wildlife tests taken as part of the application.

The Legal Advisor reminded the Committee that they needed clear reasons if they were to go against officer recommendation.

The Business Manager explained that no biodiversity or wildlife tests were taken as they weren’t considered necessary for this application.

The Business Manager suggested a list of conditions for the application,

It was proposed by Councillor MacGregor and seconded by Councillor Nutley that the application be approved subject to conditions proposed by the Business Manager.

A Roll Call was taken as follows:

FOR:

Cllrs Haines, Goodman-Bradbury, Clarence, Colclough, Cox, Hayes, Keeling, Kerswell, Jenks, MacGregor, Nutley, Patch, Parker, and Petherick.

Total: 14

AGAINST

Cllrs Bullivant, Bradford, and Jeffery

Total: 3

ABSTAINED

Cllr Nuttall

Total: 1

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.    Time limit

2.    Approved plans

3.    Landscaped conditions as per page 17 of the officers report

4.    Compliance with the WSI

5.    Confirmation of mixed storage use associated with the holiday park (ancillary thereto and not B8 or agriculture by itself).

Note: The approval of this application was contrary to the advice of the Business Manager as set out in the agenda report. The Committee considered that the proposed application was acceptable for the reasons detailed above, and below.

Statement of reasons

The decision to approve the application was against officer recommendation.

The Committee considered the application acceptable for the following reasons; the landscape impact was acceptable, as well as the economic benefits for Teignbridge.

(14 for, 3 against and 1 abstained)