Councillors H Bettison, A B Douglas, G M Elliot, W N Ferguson, C G Hallam-Baker, A Hughes, E I Hunter, G E Miller, A H Murray, R J Patterson, L W Robson, J N Simpson, J E Smith, and J W Stephenson
IN ATTENDANCE :
Councillors A R Bowlas, J G Hutchinson
19 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor G P Horsburgh
20 1. MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE 1
DECISION: To note the report.
21 2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 2
DECISION: To note that Councillor G E Miller be and was hereby elected Committee Chairman for the ensuing year.
22 3. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN 2
DECISION: To note that Councillor L W Robson be and was hereby elected Committee Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
23 4. STANDING WORKING GROUP 2
DECISION: To appoint the Standing Working Group as follows:-
Councillor G E Miller
Councillor L W Robson
Councillor H Bettison
Councillor A Hughes
Councillor R J Patterson
Councillor J N Simpson
24 5. DECLARATION OF INTEREST 2
[Note Declarations of interest were made in connection with the following matters :
(i) Councillor A B Douglas – Agenda item 7; Planning Application 04/B/0167 – 11 Mill Strand, Tweedmouth
(ii) Councillor G E Miller – Agenda item 7; Planning Application 04/B/00118 – Lindisfarne Castle
25 6. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON 4TH MAY 2004 2
DECISION: To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Planning Committee held on 4th May 2004.
26 7. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL 2
DECISION:
*** To make decisions on applications for planning permission as detailed in Appendix A to these Minutes.
[Notes to Applications:
02/B/0536 – Full Planning Application – Construction of a new entrance into the parking area, involving widening Railway Street and including rationalisation of parking and access facilities to the railway station, Berwick Railway Station, Railway Street, TD15 1NF
and
02/B/0571 – Listed Building Consent Application, Construction of a new entrance into the parking area, involving widening Railway Street and including rationalisation of parking and access facilities to the railway station, Berwick Railway Station, Railway Street, TD15 1NF
i) Verbal representations were made by
Bernard Shaw,
Berwick Berwick Civic Society c/o 84 Main Street Spittal,
Mrs S F Handoll, 86 Sea View, Highfields, Berwick
ii) Notes of the Debate
Mr Shaw expressed his support for the project and his appreciation that the majority of the Society’s concerns had been addressed. Of the two outstanding issues, he felt that the parking issues would be resolved, but that he still had concerns about the safety of pedestrians crossing the car park.
Mrs Handoll had nothing to add to Mr Shaw’s presentation.
Members asked the Environmental Maintenance Manager for clarification of several points, including:
• the pedestrian safety issues raised above
• the maximisation of parking spaces
• the management of traffic through the use of mini roundabouts
• parking for residents
• linking in with bus services
02/B/1839 – Amendment or removal of condition – Removal of condition 10(a) of planning permission ref. 02/B/0068, relating to the secural of a visibility splay, Fenton Grange, Cottage Road, Wooler
i) Verbal representations were made by
OBJECTORS
Andrew Moss Ward Hadaway Solicitors
for Anne Park Tankerville Arms Hotel, Wooler
David Dunham Wooler
FOR APPLICANT
Bret Fleming Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners
Alan Ferguson
ii) Letters
The following additional correspondence was received in relation to this application:
NAME DATE
Ward Hadaway Solicitors 28/05/04
iii) Notes of the Debate
Mr Moss said that:
• given time, the parties involved would be able to come an agreement
• road safety issues are paramount
• he had not had time to consult with his client fully.
He requested either a deferment or refusal of the application.
Mr Dunham reiterated concerns about traffic and said that he had purchased his house next to the site in question on the understanding that the development could not take place.
Mr Fleming said that:
• the principle of the development had been accepted some time ago
• the latest guidance of a 70m splay means that the area in question is already under the applicant’s control
• a delay in making a decision may jeopardise funding for affordable housing
Mr Ferguson underlined the need for affordable housing. He said that negotiations with other parties had not been straightforward.
Members also concentrated on issues of traffic safety and the opportunity for one of the affected parties to participate in the process.
An amendment requesting a deferral was proposed. 2 members voted for the amendment, 12 against.
The recommendation to approve was proposed. 12 members voted for the proposal, 2 against.
03/B/0949 – Full Planning Application - Retention of fence, Westview Cottage, West Longridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2JX
i) Notes of the Debate
Members agreed the addition of an enforcement condition requiring the removal of the fence in 3 months.
03/B/1053 – Reserved Matters Application - Erection of a single storey dwelling with integral garage, Land formerly part of Norham County First School, West Street, Norham
i) Notes of the Debate
There was no discussion of this item.
04/B/0001 – Outline Planning Application - Development of existing Land for housing plots and the construction of roads and other infrastructure, Phase 3, land at Church Lane, Lowick, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
i) Notes of the Debate
Members accepted a variation to the report removing the expectation that the dwellings would be single-storey.
04/B/0049 – Full Planning Application - Erection of two-storey extension to comprise of architectural studio, games room and a self-contained residential unit, The Crossings, Yeavering, Kirknewton, Wooler NE71 6HG
i) Verbal representations were made by
OBJECTOR
J N Thompson 44-48 Hide Hill, Berwick
APPLICANT
Mr Dobson` The Crossings, Yeavering
ii) Notes of the Debate
Mr Thompson said that:
• there had been many extensions to the original building – this would be an over-development of the site
• the proposed structure is self-contained and is therefore contrary to Policy S4 – this would create a precedent
• there is inadequate parking for the proposed use of the building
• further building would be more appropriate to the south than the east of the site.
Mr Dobson said that
• the proposed changes were to meet changed family and personal circumstances
• there would be no additional vehicles on site associated with the business
• he would be prepared to construct a doorway between the existing house and the extension
Members’ debate focussed on:
• whether the extension could be deemed to be a separate dwelling
• support for businesses in rural areas
• condition 4, which ensures that the extension would never be converted to a self-contained unit
04/B/0106 – Full Planning Application - Construction of first floor accommodation over existing garage to provide annexed living accommodation, East House, Bowsden, Berwick-upon-Tweed
i) Letters
The following additional correspondence was received in relation to this application:
NAME DATE
Bowsden Parish Council 11/03/04
ii) Notes of the Debate
There was no discussion on this item.
04/B/0117 – Full Planning Application - Alteration to roof including raising of overall roof height to enable first floor accommodation to be formed, 3 Farne Crescent, Seahouses NE68 7ST
i) Notes of the Debate
There was no discussion on this item.
04/B/0118 – Full Planning Application - Proposed alterations and extension to existing kiosk and removal of condition 5 of pp ref: 02/B/0298 to enable the structure to be retained on a permanent basis, Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, TD15 2SH
i) Declaration of Interest
Councillor G E Miller, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of this application. Cllr Robson assumed the chair.
ii) Letters
The following additional correspondence was received in relation to this application:
NAME DATE
The National Trust 25/04/04
iii) Notes of the Debate
Members were concerned about
• the maintenance of the current building
• its quality and location
• access for people with disabilities to the kiosk and castle
Members agreed to defer this application pending further negotiation with the applicant.
04/B/0133 – Full Planning Application - Change of use from former garage to Night club and restaurant, Former Garage at Golden Square, Berwick-upon-Tweed
i) Verbal representations were made by
OBJECTOR
W Curtis 19 Glamis Hill, Berwick
ii) Notes of the Debate
Mr Curtis raised concerns about
• the appropriateness of the proposed facility in a historic town
• the noise it would generate
• the number of potential users
• the potential for disorder
Members were generally in favour of a development which, in their estimation, would bring jobs and visitors to the area and would add a good new facility to the town centre.
04/B/0151 – Conservation Area Consent - Demolition of part of garden wall to create new access for the parking of cars in garden, Selby House, Holy Island, TD15 2RX.
i) Notes of the Debate
Members were reminded that the application was concerned solely with the impact of the removal on a conservation area, not issues about the creation of an entrance per se.
04/B/0165 – Outline Planning Application - Erection of 2 no. holiday cottages, West Mains House, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2PD
i) Notes of the Debate
As a member for the local ward, Cllr Hutchinson said that
• landscaping would not be an issue
• there are a lot of new buildings in the vicinity
• there is a need for more holiday accommodation
Some other members felt that the Local Plan should be altered to allow for developments such as this
04/B/0167 – Conservation Area Consent - Proposed demolition of fire damaged garage, dwelling and attached garage/store; retention of boundary walls, 11 Mill Strand, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2BJ
i) Declaration of Interest
Councillor A B Douglas, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of this application.
Members were advised of the applicant's request to create a new opening in the wall facing Brewery Bank to provide additional access into the site.
ii) Notes of the Debate
Members felt that a proposed additional access to the site was not necessary.
