Agenda item

Mr Barker addressed the Committee in support of application 3/10/1583/OP.  Mr Nicholls addressed the Committee in opposition to application 3/10/1582/OP.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, in respect of application 3/10/1582/OP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions now detailed and that, in respect of application 3/10/1583/OP, planning permission be refused for the reasons now detailed.

At the request of Councillor M J Tindale, as the local ward Member, the Committee consented to consider issues relating to application 3/10/1583/OP prior to application 3/10/1582/OP.

Councillor Tindale stressed that a pub in this location was viable, particularly in relation to the justification provided by the enabling development.  He strongly stated that the village needed this pub and urged Members to consider deferring this application so that further information could be submitted to satisfy Officers’ concerns.

Councillor R Gilbert stated this was a very important asset for the village but more information was required, particularly in relation to policies STC8, LRC11 and OSV8.  Councillors K A Barnes and R N Copping both supported the possibility of deferring this application.

The Director advised that the key issue in relation to enabling development was how much was required.  He stressed that pubs in rural locations historically struggled to survive.  Members were advised that Officers ideally needed to see a business plan for a pub in this location or other information that would support an argument that it would remain viable in the longer term.

The Committee was advised that Officers had not been satisfied that two dwellings were necessary to enable the provision of a pub.  The financial information currently provided was unclear and contained inappropriate information.

Councillor R Gilbert proposed and Councillor Mrs R F Cheswright seconded, a motion that application 3/10/1583/OP be deferred to enable Officers to seek further information in relation to the costs associated with the development of a new public house and for the submission of a business plan for the subsequent operation of a new public house and also to enable a legal agreement to be drafted which would seek to ensure the provision of a new public house.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

Councillor Tindale urged the Committee to refuse application 3/10/1582/OP, as it would be wrong to approve an application for a single dwelling when there was an avenue of opportunity to secure a new village pub.

Councillor Mrs M H Goldspink proposed and Councillor R I Taylor seconded, a motion that application 3/10/1582/OP be refused as the application was contrary to policy OSV3 and was inappropriate development for which there were no special circumstances.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

The Committee rejected the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services that application 3/10/1583/OP be refused planning permission for the reasons now detailed. 

The Committee rejected the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services that application 3/10/1582/OP be granted planning permission subject to the conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) in respect of application 3/10/1583/OP, planning permission be deferred to enable Officers to seek further information in relation to the costs associated with the development of a new public house and for the submission of a business plan for the subsequent operation of a new public house and also to enable a legal agreement to be drafted which would seek to ensure the provision of a new public house; and

(B)   in respect of application 3/10/1582/OP, planning permission be refused for the following reason:

1.    R0322 – after “GBC3” add: ‘and OSV3’.