Agenda and draft minutes

Councillors Dee, Evans, Campbell, and Morgan declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 5 (Response to a Major Planning Application). Each member recused themselves from the Chamber during the discussion on the item and took no part in the voting or members' debate on the item.

Councillor Gravells declared a non-pecuniary interest in the same item, as he had previously been the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and had discussed the application but had not pre-determined it.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 6^th of February 2024.

Councillor Conder noted that she wished for an amendment to be made to the minutes in relation to the item '26 Heathville Road - 23/00520/FUL' to clarify that she believed the property in question could be converted into a ground floor apartment and an upper two-floor maisonette, which would provide two family homes.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday, 6th February 2024 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record, subject to the amendment outlined above.

Late Material was circulated in respect of agenda item 6 (63-69 Northgate Street – 22/01181/FUL) and Item 7 (Gala Club – 23/00259/FUL).

Detail of Officer Report

Response to a Major Planning Application within Stroud District Council – Land at Whaddon.

Cllrs Dee, Morgan, Evans, and Campbell took no part in the discussion or voting on the item and recused themselves from the Chamber after public speeches made by Cllrs Morgan and Campbell as Ward members.

Officer Report

The Planning Policy Manager presented the report, which sought Planning Committee approval to make a response to a planning application in Stroud District Council’s administrative area for development of land at Whaddon.

Public Speeches

The Vice-Chair addressed the committee in opposition to the application as the Ward Member for Grange.

He stated that the application should be refused and that he supported the Planning Policy Manager's recommendation on the following grounds:

·       While large-scale developments were sometimes necessary to meet housing demand, the current application did not adequately address the numerous infrastructure concerns, such as hospital placements, traffic, school placements, green open spaces, etc.

·       The impact on the Highway Network would be more than substantial.

·       There were already issues surrounding traffic in the locality; should Stroud District Council grant consent to the application, this would substantially worsen.

The Vice-Chair further noted that he believed that the report should make reference to the impact the application would have on Grange Road, as well as St Barnabas Roundabout and the wider highway network which was mentioned in the report.

Councillor Campbell addressed the committee in opposition to the application as Ward Member for Tuffley.

She stated that the application should be rejected on the following grounds:

• She, Councillor Dee, former Councillor G. Dee, and other residents of Tuffley strongly opposed the application.
• There would be a significant increase in traffic.
• The application would negatively impact the area's infrastructure.
• The roads were already congested; approving the application would exacerbate this issue.
• It may increase the risk of flooding.
• The acceptance of the application would lead to a loss of amenities, views, and tranquillity around the local churches.
• Even with improvements to St Barnabas Roundabout, the scheme would still not be viable."

Members’ Questions

The Planning Policy Manager responded to a Members’ question concerning whether the Stroud application was currently suspended and whether this was owing to Highways concerns as follows:

·       The Inspector expressed concerns over the impact of growth to the south of Gloucester and proposed allocations in nearby areas, such as Sharpness, with the impact on Junctions 12 and 14 of the M5 and other roads. In February 2024, Stroud District Council received a letter from the Inspectors, confirming a 7-month pause to allow for the preparation of additional evidence, followed by a 3-month consultation period.

The Highways Officer responded to Members’ questions concerning whether there would be changes to junctions at Eastern Avenue, Cole Avenue and the junctions along those roads as well as St Barnabas roundabout, should the application receive consent as follows:

·       There was a scheme proposed to make improvements to the St Barnabas roundabout. However, the application was not advanced enough to indicate whether improvements would be needed at other junctions in the locality. Highways would investigate the application thoroughly and produce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Application for Determination:

Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of site to provide residential led mixed use scheme.

Officer Report

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report which detailed an application for the demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of site to provide residential led mixed use scheme.

Public Speeches

A representative of The King’s School addressed the Committee in opposition to the application in its current format on the following grounds:

-       Kings School were pleased that the site was marked for development. However, there were concerns about the possible increase in traffic during construction and the enduring development. This raised safety concerns for the children and staff of the school.

-       The main area of concern was that cars drove down at speed on Pitt Street, frequently the wrong way, despite it being a one-way street and that there had already been numerous near misses with schoolchildren.

-       Kings School had been in contact with various stakeholders including Richard Graham MP, Councillor Tracey and Gloucestershire Highways about ways pedestrian safety could be improved on Pitt Street. He asked that the Planning Committee took into consideration the safety of students and other pedestrians in the area before giving an application consent.

A representative for Clarehouse Developments Ltd addressed the Committee in favour of the application.

He said that the application should be granted on the following grounds:

·       The applicant had a significant property portfolio and was a long-term investor. It had not been possible to find a long-term viable tenant for re-occupation and this reflected the trend they have seen nationally with other properties.

·        The proposal would retain the retail frontage. They were confident that the commercial unit would be occupied.

·       55 high quality apartments would be provided in the City Centre.

·       The pre-application process commenced in 2021. Extensive care, time, and consideration and been put into the application.

·       Feedback had been acted upon by the applicant.

·        The Conservation Officer had confirmed that any loss or harm to the setting of the Raven Centre, 8 Hare Lane, the Cathedral or Church of St John would be marginal and less than substantial and was outweighed by the public good the application would cause.

·       Architectural advancements would be made to Hare Lane and Northgate Street.

·       Heritage assets would be preserved and enhanced.

·       The visually intrusive frontage would be removed.

·       11 affordable homes would be provided. This was policy compliant.

·       The applicant had used a chartered commercial surveyor and was therefore confident that the proposed retail unit would be occupied. 

·         Communal and private amenity space would be provided.

·       The scheme would lead to 100% net gain in biodiversity units.

·       The scheme would lead to Green Space being introduced into the City Centre.

·       It was predicted that there would be 80 occupants in the dwellings, who would contribute to the local economy.

·        A minimum of 65% carbon emission reduction would be achieved for the proposed flats owing to Solar Panels and Heat Pumps being used.

·       The new buildings would meet modern building regulation standards.

·       Contributions would be made towards open space, education, and other community needs. This was secured by S106  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Application for Determination:

Proposed football ground alterations, including a new stand, concrete paving, 6 x flood lights and timber fencing.

Officer Report

The Planning Development Manager presented the report detailing an application for football ground alterations, including a new stand, concrete paving, 6 x flood lights and timber fencing.

The Planning Development Manager further pointed to the Late Material which highlighted an additional representation by Cllr Castle. It stated:

“This application was made 12 months ago by the Gala club, and we were contacted by a number of residents who had concerns about it so we called it in to the planning committee. Since then, we have held a meeting with the Gala club and residents to give them the opportunity to voice their concerns. The outcome of the meeting was positive, and we no longer wish to call it in to the committee as we have no objections to it.  Ward Members’ who called in the application.”

Public Speeches

Councillor Castle addressed the Committee in favour of the application.

She stated that the application should be granted on the following grounds:

-       When the application was first proposed, she and Councillor Sawyer received representations by concerned residents. Subsequently, the Manager of Gala Wilton FC set up a meeting with local residents and a question and answer session was held. Since this meeting, she had not received further representations against the application.

A representative of Gala Wilton FC addressed the Committee in favour of the application.

He stated that the application should be granted on the following grounds:

·       Granting the application would allow Gala Wilton FC to improve their facilities.

·       Currently, Gala Wilton FC often lost their best players, as their facilities meant that they could not advance to the levels of other local clubs.

·       The Club wanted to develop a strong youth policy, granting the application would allow them to retain their best young players and develop them and for an under 18s team to be formed.

·       The application was in line with FA guidelines.

·       If the club become more successful, this would help the social club that sat adjacent to the pitch and bring in more business to the local area.

·       The Club had spent £30,000 to maintain the pitch and were ambitious.

·       If the football club was successful, it was more likely local residents would use the social club.

·       Since a question and answer session had been set up with local residents, there had not been a complaint about the application.

Members’ Debate

The Chair moved and Councillor Gravells seconded the Officer’s recommendation as laid out in the report.

RESOLVED that planning permission is granted subject to the conditions outlined in the officer report.

To consider a schedule of applications determined under delegated powers during the month of January 2024.

RESOLVED that the delegated decisions of January 2024 were noted.

Tuesday, 2^nd of April 2024.

Tuesday, 2^nd April 2024.