MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2022
THOSE ATTENDING:
Cllr H Allsopp
Cllr K Grimes (Chair)
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr Vaughan
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs A Brindley, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer and Mr D Nicholson Deputy Parish Clerk
AGENDA PART 1
PLC01/22 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr J Foster – conflict with responsibilities as County Councillor and Cllr A Iley – family commitments
PLC02/22 2. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(s)
No declarations were submitted.
PLC03/22 3. APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN FOR 2022/23
Cllr Keith Grimes elected as Chairman
PLC04/22 4. APPOINTMENT OF A VICE CHAIRMAN FOR 2022/23
Cllr Arthur Iley elected as Vice Chairman
PLC05/22 5. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
The Clerk confirmed she had not received any questions from the public for this meeting.
PLC06/22 6. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
It was noted that the minutes of the previous meeting had been presented to the Parish Council in the same year.
PLC07/22 7. REVIEW OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE
Members approved the terms of reference
PLC08/22 8. TO CONSIDER AND MAKE COMMENT ON SIGNIFICANT PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Parish Councils do not have the power grant or refuse planning permission but may submit comments to the planning authority (Northumberland County Council)
In consideration of planning application 22/01798/FUL members made the following comments:
1 The restaurant is a valued asset for the area that strengthens the diversity of businesses at the Square.
2 The proposed extension projects into the public paved area narrowing the width of this area by 3 metres. At the narrowest point between the extension and the first car park bay the pavement is reduced to only 2.5m. impeding the free movement of pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs.
The paved area immediately in front of the proposed extension has a bin (the resiting of which is addressed in the application), a public seat and a space for a planted tree, uprooted during the storms and yet to be replaced. Raffaello Italia also has outside seating in this paved space. It is already a congested area for people to negotiate, so include the extension and it becomes very difficult indeed.
3 The Square has attracted anti-social behaviour and this extension gives another blind corner for anti-social behaviour to take place.
4 There are a number of car parking spaces in the vicinity of the restaurant, but it is a popular place for shopping and frequently parking is difficult, relying on the quick turnaround of drivers, to rotate available spaces. When people are parked for meals, this slows the rotation. Many times, staff and users of the restaurant resort to parking on the amenity grassed area alongside the restaurant, evidencing the inadequate parking in that area. Members did not want indiscriminate parking to become a worsening issue.
5 The restaurant holds a prominent position at one of the corners of the Square which is visible from the main road linking Guide Post to Stakeford. Members were concerned that the conservatory type design is inadequate for this location. The appearance of the Square, which is the main shopping location for Guide Post should not be weakened by poor design. Members contended that any extension to this property should be of good quality rather than what appears to be a bolt on conservatory.
RESOLVED: That the Parish Council submit an objection in respect of planning application 22/01798/FUL
There being no further matters requiring consideration the meeting concluded at 10:30
Chairman………………………………………………………..Dated……………………