County Councillor L. Brown declared a personal interest pursuant to the Members' Code of Conduct in respect of application DM/2019/01804, as she is a local preacher on the Newport and Lower Wye circuit which covers Monmouth.  She has not been involved in anything to do with this application.

County Councillor P. Murphy declared a personal and prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members' Code of Conduct in respect of application DM/2019/01672, as the applicant is a personal friend.  He left the meeting taking no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The minutes of the Planning Committee dated 5^th November 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendment:

Minute 1 – Declarations of Interest be amended as follows:

County Councillor A. Easson declared a personal interest pursuant to the Members' Code of Conduct in respect of application DM/2019/00997 as he is a governor of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Ffin.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the 11 conditions as outlined in the report.

It was considered that approval of the application would be an improvement to the existing building and would bring it back into use.  However, concern was expressed that the building had plastic rainwater goods that were not in keeping with the age of the building.

It was proposed by County Councillor R. Harris and seconded by County Councillor P. Murphy that application DM/2019/00725 be approved subject to the 11 conditions as outlined in the report and also subject to an additional condition being added to provide metal rainwater goods.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For approval             -           13

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           1

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/00725 be approved subject to the 11 conditions as outlined in the report and also subject to an additional condition being added to provide metal rainwater goods.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report.

The local Member for Drybridge, Monmouth, also a Planning Committee Member, outlined the following points:

·         There is a need to relocate the children’s playground due to health and safety reasons and the proposed site is the most suitable location on the village green.

·         There has been some reluctance from some people in the Monmouth area towards the relocation who consider that no changes should be made to the village green.

·         However, we as an authority have an obligation and a duty to provide a suitable play area in the most suitable location on the village green and to make a significant improvement on the existing play area.

·         The proposed relocation has the support of the majority of parents within the area. However, it was acknowledged that there are some concerns regarding noise levels and the potential for people to gather there in the evenings. The proposed relocation site is only metres away from the existing site and therefore, these arguments should not prevent approval of the application.

·         The final details of the design will be addressed at the reserved matters stage.  However, the design of the fencing and the play equipment will ensure the success of the proposal. Input from local groups would be helpful in delivering the best type of equipment which could be undertaken via consultation.

·         An increase in the levels of biodiversity of the site within the village green should be considered with a view to providing appropriate planting to the original site.  This would also provide much needed buffering of the nearby dual carriageway in respect of the village green.

In noting the detail of the application, the following points were identified:

·         The proposed site is more open and safer than the original site.  It is located on the other side of the bund reducing noise levels for residents.

·         The proposed play area will consist of natural materials.

·         Appropriate landscaping will benefit the area.

·         The proposed play area will be located further away from the dual carriageway.

·         Concern was expressed that the proposed new site will not be enclosed to prevent dog fouling of the area. However, it was noted that there might be difficulties involved in fully enclosing the play area located within the village green as this might affect the public access rights of the village green as well as potentially affecting obtaining village green consent for the play area.  However, there are ways of reducing public access by providing appropriate planting as a means of addressing the concerns raised.

·         It was suggested that a proposal be submitted outlining the specific issues that have been identified with a view to obtaining a fenced and gated area for the proposed play area which would improve the health and safety of the children who will be using the play area.

·         A condition could be added that appropriate planting could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report.

In noting the detail of the application, the following points were identified:

·         A condition to secure an obscured glazed window to the north elevation would be appropriate.

·         The level of the plot will be returned to its original level alleviating concerns expressed by nearby residents.

·         A request was made for consideration of the application to be deferred to look at any flooding issues that might arise if the levels of soil were to be raised.  In response, it was noted that the land levels are currently under construction and not yet finished.  However, the levels would need to be finished to the original topographical ground level which would be conditioned and be subject to enforcement.

·         With regard to the studio, it was noted that the Inspector had removed permitted development rights. Therefore, if the existing permission was implemented, this could not be erected at a later time under part 1 of permitted development rights.

·         The local Member for Llangybi Fawr, also a Planning Committee Member, expressed concern regarding the soil that had been spread between the new property and the existing stream. When the topsoil is put back he asked for assurances that the ground level would be returned to the level before work commenced on the site.  Planning Officers confirmed that the site would return to the original ground level when work is completed.

It was proposed by County Councillor P. Murphy and seconded by County Councillor R. Harris that application DM/2019/01377 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report and subject to an additional condition to secure an obscurely glazed window to the north elevation. Also, ensure that a list of approved drawings includes an approved topographical survey of the previous approval, as well as a cross section in the current application.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

In favour of the proposal                 -           12

Against the proposal                       -           0

Abstentions                                       -           2

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01377 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report and subject to an additional condition to secure an obscurely glazed window to the north elevation. Also, ensure that a list of approved drawings includes an approved topographical survey of the previous approval, as well as a cross section in the current application.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

In noting the detail of the application, it was proposed by County Councillor A. Davies and seconded by County Councillor M. Feakins that application DM/2019/01672 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For approval             -           13

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01672 be approved subject to the six conditions as outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the three conditions as outlined in the report.

In noting the detail of the application and the support expressed by the Committee, it was proposed by County Councillor M. Powell and seconded by County Councillor S. Woodhouse that application DM/2019/01740 be approved subject to the three conditions as outlined in the report.

Upon being put to the vote the following votes were recorded:

For approval             -           14

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01740 be approved subject to the three conditions as outlined in the report.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report.

In noting the detail of the application and the support expressed by the Committee it was proposed by County Councillor M. Feakins and seconded by County Councillor A. Davies that application DM/2019/01804 be approved subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For approval             -           14

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01804 be approved subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report.

We noted the new appeals received between 23^rd October and 20^th November 2019.