Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Councillors to declare any known interests in any of the matters to be considered by the Committee.  No such declarations were made.

Mr. John Radford asked a public question in respect of the Council’s Planning Policies on global warming.  The Chair responded at the meeting.

Mr Ben Bell asked a public question in respect of the effect on air pollution arising from Council Planning Polices and developments approved.  The Chair responded at the meeting.

Mr Bill Janson asked a public question seeking clarification as to whether the Local Plan 2026 could be reviewed to take into account the latest evidence from Government and International bodies in respect of climate change.  The Chair responded at the meeting.

Mr Bill Janson asked a supplementary question in respect of reviewing planning permissions granted for development for schemes not yet commenced, in order that these might be made more environmentally friendly.  The Chair responded at the meeting.

Mrs Helen Harris asked a public question requesting clarification as to changes to future Council planning policies relating to leisure and economic development within the Borough to make them environmentally sustainable.  The Chair responded at the meeting and indicated if Mrs Harris provided an email address to the Clerk further information would be provided.

Mrs Harris asked a supplementary question asking if the Council would take independent action to make its planning policies more environmentally friendly as changes to Government Guidance would likely take some time to be published. The Chair responded at the meeting and indicated if Mrs Harris provided an email address to the Clerk further information would be provided.

In respect of application numbered S/RES/18/0202/TB Erection of indoor ski, cinema, bowling and trampoline facilities (Class D2), shops, restaurants & cafes (Class A1 - A3), parking, landscaping, access and associated works - Reserved Matters from previous outline application S/OUT/15/0943. Land at North Star (Phase 1), North Star, Swindon, the Committee considered: -

          Name                                 Address/Organisation

          John Watkins                      Applicant

          Councillor Des Moffatt          Ward Councillor

          Councillor Jim Grant            Ward Councillor

          Councillor Bob Wright          Swindon Borough Council

          Councillor Gary Summer      Swindon Borough Council

          Councillor Dale Heenan        Swindon Borough Council

          James Yeowell                    Parish Councillor

          Rod Hacker                        Wilts and Berks Canal Trust

Councillors John Ballman, Alan Bishop, Toby Elliott, Steph Exell, Nick Martin, Jane Milner-Barry, Stan Pajak, Jim Robbins, and Peter Watts spoke in respect of this application.

Submissions in support of the application can be broadly summarised as:

·       Considerably resources had been devoted to the scheme and application over the previous two years to meet and surpass the development agreement between Severn Capital and Swindon Borough Council.

·       The developers had been continually challenged to ensure the quality of design and credentials of the scheme by officers of Swindon Borough Council.

·       The design brought forward a quality leisure facility that was contemporary and sympathetic to the environment in which it sits with attractive open areas included.

·       It is intended that the scheme will provide the best and most inclusive snow dome facility in the United Kingdom for skiers, non-skiers and snowboarders.

·       Great care had been taken to minimalise the environmental impact of the facility with natural ventilation and natural light in the atrium courtyard and to feed into future development phases and would be the most energy efficient facility of its type in the United Kingdom using the latest specifications for heating and cooling which have developed greatly since the last ski slope was built in the country.

·       Future phases could include alternative energy generation.

·       The developer’s had worked extensively with Swindon Borough Council in respect of traffic modelling and mitigation measures in respect of traffic created by the centre (this data had been updated in September to ensure its relevance and would be on-going in the event of additional phases).

·       Alternative means of transport to the site had been considered including cycleways and footpaths, electric charging points had been included in the development and there was a commitment to work with Swindon Borough Council in respect of Park and Ride facilities to reduce the carbon footprint by reducing car journeys.

·       It will provide employment opportunities for local people who would have parking on site as well as cycle storages and public transport as options available to them.

·       A number of agreements had been reached with other leisure providers and retailers to offer a rounded provision for customers and was a testimony  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.