Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Councillors to declare any known interests in any of the matters to be considered by the Committee.

Councillor Bishop declared that, notwithstanding statements attributed to him in correspondence circulated before the meeting, he had an open mind regarding application numbered S/17/1771 and not had made any pre-determinations about the application.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2018

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2018, be confirmed and signed.

Gary Llewellyn, Town Planner, asked a question concerning the pre-application request advice service provided by the Planning Department particularly in respect of householder applications.

The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage responded at the meeting.

(1)  The Committee considered: -

(2)       That, in respect of application numbered S/17/1771, (a) Councillor Weisinger presented the Committee with a petition signed by 972 members of the public in support of the application, (b) Councillor Tomlinson clarified that although she had not had the opportunity to read the report in detail, she understood the planning issues, having listened to the Officer’s presentation, the representations made and the debate. She was therefore in a position to make an informed decision, and (c) the Head of Conveyancing, Environment and Contracts advised the Committee that the significant number of members of the public in support of the application was not in itself a material planning consideration;

            Resolved – (1) That the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage be authorised to grant permission in respect of application numbered S/17/1771 subject to appropriate conditions and legal agreement and for the following reasons:

(a)  Meeting local needs, as evidenced by representations made by the public having to travel outside of Highworth for groceries and other shopping.

(b)  The proposal would not adversely affect the vitality and viability of Highworth town centre, given that conditions can be imposed to restrict the items sold by the proposed Aldi shop, and the goods sold at Aldi are largely different from those in the town centre.

(c)  The proposal does not in real terms result in the loss of an employment site as Aldi will create jobs.

            (2) That the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage be authorised to grant outline permission in respect of application numbered S/OUT/17/1772 subject to the conditions listed in the Committee report and any additional conditions as may be deemed appropriate.

            (3) That permission be granted in respect of applications numbered S/18/647 and S/HOU/18/443 subject to the conditions listed in the Committee reports.

(4) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee concerning the number and location of Houses in Multiple Occupation in Swindon and the planning and licensing powers available to deal with the problems associated with them.