Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Caleb Tomlinson, welcomed members of the public to the meeting, introduced the committee and explained that the meeting was being livestreamed to YouTube and held with COVID-secure measures in place.

None.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

Councillor Jon Hesketh declared a prejudicial interest in item 7 – 5 East Square, Longton – and would not take part in the vote.

Councillor Christine Melia declared a personal interest in item 9 – 249b Station Road, Bamber Bridge.

Councillor James Flannery declared a personal interest in item 11 – Taps and Wine Bar, 2 Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale.

To be approved for signing by the Chair.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting, held on Thursday, 29 April 2021, be approved for signing by the Chair.

An update will be provided at the meeting.

The Head of Development Management informed the committee of two appeals which had been dismissed by the Planning Inspector, relating to Grove Cottage, Slater Lane, Leyland and Tusons Farm, Gill Lane, Longton.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (For: 12 Against: 1)

For: Councillors Adams, Donoghue, Flannery, Hancock, Hesketh, Lomax, Melia, Moon, Phil Smith, Caleb Tomlinson, Watson and Yates

Against: Councillor Mary Green

That the application be deferred to allow further discussion with the applicant on the removal or reduction in the number of touring caravan pitches as a consequence of approximately 50% of the current site location being permitted for agricultural use.

Speakers: 3 objectors, Councillor Margaret Smith (ward councilor), Councillor Michael Green (neighbouring ward councillor) and the Agent.

Address: Turbary House Nursery

               Chain House Lane

               Whitestake

               Preston

               PR4 4LB

Applicant: Mr Paul Kenworthy

Agent: Mr Daniel Hughes

           2 Lockside Office Park

           Lockside Road

           Preston

           PR2 2YS

Development: Proposed redevelopment for open storage (use class B8), caravan storage (use class B8), caravan site including erection of ancillary building (Sui Generis) and recreation (use class E), change of use of existing building to workshop/storage (use class B2/B8) and ancillary caravan site/recreation use (Sui Generis), retention of existing building for log store and processing (class E), siting of static caravan as ancillary office to existing birds of prey centre (Sui Generis) and the retrospective reinstatement of a former track to access the site.

An amended motion was proposed by Councillor Phil Smith, seconded by Councillor Barrie Yates, that the application be deferred to allow further discussion with the applicant on the removal or reduction in the number of touring caravan pitches as a consequence of approximately 50% of the current site location being permitted for agricultural use.

A vote on the amendment was taken and it was subsequently RESOLVED (For: 12 Against: 1)

For: Councillors Adams, Donoghue, Flannery, Hancock, Hesketh, Lomax, Melia, Moon, Phil Smith, Caleb Tomlinson, Watson and Yates

Against: Councillor Mary Green

That the application be deferred for the reason stated.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be refused because the scale and siting of the proposed dwelling would have a detrimental impact upon adjacent residential properties by undue loss of privacy, overshadowing and would appear overbearing. As such the proposal is contrary to Policy B1 and G17 of the South Ribble Local Plan.

Councillor Jon Hesketh left the meeting for the duration of this item and did not take part in the vote.

Speakers: None

Address: 5 East Square

               Longton

               Lancashire

               PR4 5NL

Applicant: Thomas William Banks

Agent: Christopher Warwick

           104 Mossy Lea Road

           Wrightington

           Wigan

           WN6 9RD

Development: Erection of 1 no. detached bungalow with access off Long Croft (resubmission of 07/2020/00788/FUL)

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be refused because the scale and siting of the proposed dwelling would have a detrimental impact upon adjacent residential properties by undue loss of privacy, overshadowing and would appear overbearing. As such the proposal is contrary to Policy B1 and G17 of the South Ribble Local Plan.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Councillor Jon Hesketh returned to the meeting.

Speakers: the Agent

Address: 91 Hennel Lane

              Walton-le-Dale

              Preston

              Lancashire

              PR5 4LE

Applicant: Priory Group

Agent: Tetra Tech Planning

           90 Victoria Street

           Bristol

           BS1 6DP

Development: Change of use from six-person care home (Class C3) to seven-person care home (Class C2), demolition of existing single-storey detached garage and erection of single-storey detached building to provide additional care home accommodation with additional car parking spaces.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report and the amended condition detailed in the addendum.  

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Speakers: None

Address: 249b Station Road

                Bamber Bridge

                Preston

                Lancashire

                PR5 6LD

Applicant: Ashvestments Limited

Agent: Fish Associates Limited

             216 St George Street

             Bolton

Development: Change of use from retail (class A1) to a bar (Sui Generis) together with alterations to front elevation (amended layout and description).

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Speakers: Councillor Alan Ogilvie (ward councillor)

Address: Runshaw College

                 Langdale Road

                 Leyland

Applicant: Claire Russell

Agent: Maria Buenaventura

             Day Architecture

             Studio 1

             77 Deansgate

             Manchester

Development: Erection of a new building to accommodate T-level teaching space, with ancillary works.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report but with the removal of conditions 3 and 4.

Speakers: Councillor Peter Mullineaux (ward councillor) and the Applicant.

Address: Taps and Wine Bar

                 2 Chorley Road

                 Walton-le-Dale

                 Preston

Applicant: Mr Sean O’Hagan

Development: Retrospective change of use of external front area to part of drinking establishment and to provide for seating, outdoor heating, lighting, canopy attached to fence screen, retractable awning and 1.5m high screen to front boundary.

An amended motion was proposed by Councillor Barrie Yates, seconded by Councillor Chris Lomax, that the application be approved subject to conditions set out in the report but with the removal of conditions 3 and 4.  

A vote was subsequently taken and it was RESOLVED (Unanimously) that the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report but with the removal of conditions 3 and 4.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Speakers: None

Address: 80 Alder Drive

               Hoghton

               PR5 0AE

Applicant: Mrs Laura Walmsley

Development: Single storey extension to rear

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the updated South Ribble Validation Checklist be endorsed by the Planning Committee and used for development management purposes.

The Planning Committee received a report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval of the Validation Criteria for Planning Applications document.

The document had recently been updated to reflect changes in legislation and to be more user-friendly for applicants and/or agents when submitting an application.

Members welcomed the update and the improvements it would create in the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning service.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the updated South Ribble Validation Checklist be endorsed by the Planning Committee and used for development management purposes.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.    the Scheme of Delegation be amended so that, in the circumstances described, planning applications will only need to be referred to Planning Committee where the applicant or agent is related to a South Ribble Borough Council employee or elected member who is directly involved in the decision-making process; and

2.    Planning Committee recommend to Full Council that this change be made to the relevant part of the Constitution.

The Planning Committee received a report of the Director of Planning and Development which outlined proposals to amend the scheme of delegation for planning applications where the applicant and/or agent is related to an officer or member of the council.

Currently, all applications of this nature are referred to the Planning Committee which has led to a large volume of small-scale planning applications being dealt with by the full Planning Committee, thereby resulting in larger agendas and longer meeting durations.

It was therefore proposed that the scheme of delegation be amended so that, in the circumstances described, planning applications would only be referred to the Planning Committee where the applicant and/or agent is related to an officer directly involved in the decision-making process.

Members queried whether applications where the applicant and/or agent is, or is related to, a member would still be referred to the Planning Committee. In response, it was confirmed that this would remain the practice.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.     the Scheme of Delegation be amended so that, in the circumstances described, planning applications will only need to be referred to Planning Committee where the applicant or agent is related to a South Ribble Borough Council employee or elected member who is directly involved in the decision-making process; and

2.     Planning Committee recommend to Full Council that this change be made to the relevant part of the Constitution.