Agenda item

Public Speaker, Supporter – The proposal is a diversification to assist the running of the farm and vineyard; it would secure the long term use of the barn, and heritage asset; local florists and businesses would be used; it would increase local employment; the junction is no different to any other in the countryside with limited visibility; drivers are cautious when emerging onto the main road; the increase in traffic will be insignificant compared to the overall traffic; and there is no evidence or statistics of any accidents or near misses at the junction.

Comments made by Councillors included: the proposal meets policies in the Local Plan by providing employment, the vineyard encourages tourism, it would provide an event venue for the local community; the protection of the barn; there is no County highway data to evidence any accidents or near misses; no material evidence to support the highway concerns; the junction is typical of Devon country lanes; the previous application was withdrawn to reduce the number of people at any one event; the 28 day rule could apply; a previous application for new stables at Mamhead with highway concerns was granted and the business is thriving with no consequential road accidents.

The Business Manager advised on conditions should the Committee be minded to approve the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Connett, seconded by Councillor Fusco and

Resolved

Permission be granted subject to the following conditions, and any additional conditions identified in the next 7 days agreed in consultation with the Ward Member and the Chairman.

1. Standard 3 year time limit for commencement.

2. Development to be carried out in accordance with approved plans.

3. Notwithstanding the submitted plans the canopy above the first floor window north elevation shall not be installed.

4. Door schedule shall be provided and approved prior to installation of doors to ensure doors are appropriate in character.

5. Notwithstanding condition 2 above, the soft and hard landscaping works for the walled garden shown on drawing 1710-02B is not approved. With the exception of removing the topsoil within the walled garden to expose the existing cobbles, no works shall take place in this area until such time as the promoter/developer has contacted the Local Planning Authority to arrange a site inspection of the existing cobbles, and following the site inspection the promoter/developer has submitted to the Local Planning Authority and the Local Planning Authority has agreed a soft and hard landscaping scheme for the walled garden.

6. Prior to the commencement of the proposed external works to the barn, a

sample of the corrugated iron to be used on the barn shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

7. Notwithstanding condition 2 above, the use of granite for the new gate posts is not approved, prior to installation of the new entrance gate and posts, details of an alternative material for the gate posts and elevation details of the proposed gate and associated posts shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Only the approved gate and posts shall be installed.

8. Notwithstanding condition 2 above, the use of Grasscrete for the construction of the parking bays is not approved. Prior to the construction of the parking bays an alternative material for the parking bays shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Only the approved material shall be used in the construction of the parking areas.

9. Notwithstanding condition 2 above, alternative material(s) for the terrace marked on drawing 1710-02B as ‘round house terrace’ and the ‘service vehicle access’ marked on the same plan shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Only the approved material(s) shall be used in the creation of the service vehicle access and terrace.

10. Prior to the barn being brought into use as an events/wedding venue a

landscaping scheme detailing an additional hedge bank in the form of a dropped hedgebank, positioned along the eastern perimeter of the track/parking terrace shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved it shall be planted in the first available planting season following approval and retained thereafter;

11.Landscaping scheme for all external planting shall be submitted and approved in writing prior to the building being brought into use as a wedding/events venue and shall once approved be planted in the first available planting season following approval.

12. Notwithstanding condition 2 above, the new access drive, passing bays and new sweet chestnut and beech trees shown adjacent to the new track on

drawing 1710-02B are not approved in the alignment shown with the exception of the access point and visibility splays onto the highway. Prior to the construction of the access drive a drawing shall be submitted to show a track with passing bays which is positioned in closer proximity to the existing hedge boundary and this drawing shall include details of the surface material of the track and show soft landscaping works adjacent to the track to screen the drive from wider views. These landscaping details shall include details of plant species, positioning, and an implementation and management plan for the landscaping works. Once approved only the approved drive and landscaping works shall be implemented and retained as such thereafter.

13. Prior to the commencement of external works to the building in connection with the hereby-approved change of use a detailed specification of rainwater goods to be used including materials and sections, and materials and sections for any new external steps shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved works shall proceed in accordance with the approved details and be retained as such thereafter.

14. No works to which this consent relates shall commence until a method

statement to ensure the preservation of the Daisy Wheels in the plasterwork has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved works shall proceed in accordance with the approved method statement.

15. No works to which this consent relates shall commence until an appropriate programme of historic building recording and analysis has been secured and implemented in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out at all times in strict accordance with the approved scheme, or such other details as may be subsequently agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

16. Bat report recommendations to be implemented.

(16 votes for, 0 against and 1 not voted).

Note:  The approval of the application is contrary to the recommendation of the Business Manager. The Committee considered the application acceptable for the reasons above.