Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 04/08/2009

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON AUGUST 4TH 2009 AT 8.OO PM.

Before the meeting began, the Mayor asked Mr Peter Thorpe to speak about the planning application: 09/01040/FUL
Application under section 73a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the erection of a dwelling; conversion of (existing) bakery to domestic garage/workshop (revised scheme) (retrospective)

The Bakery, Church St, Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire


Mr Thorpe applied to build a two storey, three bedroomed house which was granted permission at appeal (Ref No APP/K3225/A/05/1195542) Since then, the house has been built with some changes to the plans. Mr Thorpe felt that he has taken into account the views of some of the local people who had objected to the original plans. In 2006, the height of the house was 8.1metres, this had been considered too high and was the reason for the first refusal of planning. Consequently the height of the building has been reduced by 50 cm. The house has also been remodeled which has meant that the bulk of the building has been reduced. The house is in the same location. The pitch of the roof has been reduced from 55? to 30? the level of the ground floor has been lowered. The design has become more “barn like” which is trying to echo some of the traditional aspects of a barn in this locality. The roof is now of retained Welsh slate. The wall cladding was originally to be timber but is now of brick and some metal cladding.
Mrs Coxall, a neighbour, then asked Mr Thorpe whether he could confirm that Inspector’s had returned to view this building. Mr Thorpe replied that he could not confirm that.
Mrs Coxall felt that the building’s position had changed but Mr Thorpe said it had not. Mrs Coxall felt that in a conservation area, surrounded by bungalows, this building was totally out of place.
Mr R Gwyther felt that this building was not in keeping with the local vernacular. It should have a lower profile and be less conspicuous. It is out of keeping with other buildings in the conservation area. He is also concerned that no-one seems to be keeping an eye on developments, there is a problem with enforcement.

Cllr Wright proposed that the formal meeting should start, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney.

PRESENT Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Mayor in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, J Gaffney, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill, W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. M. Denton

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Resolved The following apologies were accepted: Cllr Hird (holiday) Proposed by Cllr Dr Penney seconded by Cllr Carroll.

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
1. 09/01040/FUL
Application under section 73a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the erection of a dwelling; conversion of (existing) bakery to domestic garage/workshop (revised scheme) (retrospective)

The Bakery, Church St, Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire


Cllr Dr Penney said that this building has been put up without planning permission so local people were unable to have their say. He proposed that this Council should object to this application on the grounds that: the building is not true to the vernacular, the roof is no higher because the pitch has been lowered, the profile is higher; there are no photographs of the viewpoint from local neighbours who are most affected, there has been a failure to negotiate materials and the shape of the gables is not in keeping. There has been no respect paid to the planning process.
Seconded by Cllr Gaffney and resolved : Votes in favour: 10, abstention: 1

Cllr Dr Penney proposed that a letter should be sent to Cllr Tudor Bebb Chair of Planning, with copies to Cllr Keith Barrow Leader of Shropshire Council and Cllr Peter Phillips, Member for Bishop’s Castle, concerning the failure of enforcement.
Seconded by Cllr Gaffney and resolved.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.