Agenda item

Planning Application - 18/02007/FUL - United Reform Church

Report of the Service Lead, Planning, Infrastructure and Development recommending that the Panel refuse Planning permission in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

Minutes:

The Panel considered the report of the Service Lead, Planning, Infrastructure and Development recommending that conditional planning permission be refused in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

 

Installation of solar panels to the south slope of the Church Hall.

 

Fiona Hudd (agent) and Mark Hancock (applicant) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

 

The presenting officer reported that since publication of the report further correspondence had been received which had been circulated to the Panel.  It was noted that the applicant had submitted a different configuration of the solar tiles.  It was explained that no consultation had been carried out on the new arrangement and that therefore the application would be considered on the original pattern of the solar tiles. 

 

The Panel then considered the recommendation to refuse conditional planning permission. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was lost.

 

A further motion to delegate authority to approve planning permission for the reasons set out below was then proposed by Councillor Savage and seconded by Councillor Wilkinson.

 

RECORDED VOTE to grant planning permission

FOR:  Councillors Savage, Coombs, L Harris, Mitchell, Murphy

and Wilkinson

ABSTAIN:  Councillor Claisse

 

RESOLVED That Planning Permission be granted subject to the imposition of the following conditions:

 

1.  FULL PERMISSION TIMING CONDITION (PERFORMANCE)

The development hereby permitted shall begin no later than three years from the date  on which this planning permission was granted.

 

 REASON: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

 

2.  INSTALLATION, REPAIR AND REMOVAL  METHODOLOGY STATEMENT (PERFORMANCE CONDITION)

The solar Panels shall be installed strictly in accordance with the approved methodology statement.

 

REASON: To ensure the fixing (and any future removal or repair) of the solar panels causes minimal impact on the fabric and structure of the listed building and that the works to install the solar panels are reversible.  To protect the integrity and character of the listed building in accordance with policy HE3 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (as amended 2015) and policy CS14 of the Core Strategy (2015).

 

3.  DAMAGE AND REPAIR

Any damage caused to the fabric or structure of the listed building requiring 'repair' shall be repaired in a manner so as to replicate in all details the original structure within 3 months of the damage first being caused.

 

REASON. To protect the integrity and character of the listed building in accordance with policy HE3 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (as amended 2015) and policy CS14 of the Core Strategy (2015)

 

Note to Applicant.

Any damaged caused that exceeds to definition of repairs not requiring listed building consent will require the submission of a full planning application to the Local Planning Authority.

 

4.  Approved Plans

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans listed in the schedule attached below, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

REASON FOR GRANTING PLANNING PERMISSION

 

The development is acceptable taking into account the policies and proposals of the Development Plan as set out below. Other material considerations including the identified harm to the listed building have been considered and are not judged to have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application. In this instance, the level of harm identified was ‘less than substantial’ and where ‘less than substantial’ harm is caused the public benefits resulting from the works can be balanced against the harm. The public benefits include the reduction in energy consumption from non-renewable sources and a long term reduction in the costs of operating what is a well-used and important community facility. The combination of the continued viability of running the community centre and the increased sustainability of the building, which are both key Council objectives, is considered to outweigh the harm caused by installing the solar panels. Conditions have been applied in order to works are undertaken in a manner which minimises the impact on the fabric of the listed building and to ensure the works are reversible.  The scheme is therefore judged to be in accordance with Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and thus planning permission should therefore be granted.  In reaching this decision the Local Planning Authority offered a pre-application planning service and has sought to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner as required by paragraphs 186-187 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

 

Policies - SDP1, SDP7,  SDP9 and HE3 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (Amended 2015) and CS13 and CS14 of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document (Amended 2015).

Supporting documents: