Agenda item

Outline application with all matters reserved for care home development for up to 50 residents and staff.

The Senior Planning Officer, Chris Baxter gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, copies of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site.  The Officer advised that Members of the Committee had visited the site that day and were familiar with the location and setting.  The application was an outline application will all matters reserved for care home development for up to 50 residents and staff and was recommended for approval subject to conditions. 

The Senior Planning Officer noted that the site had been redundant for a number of years following the demolition of the existing public house in 2004, with outline permission for residential development having been granted together the permission for demolition.  Members noted that while the application was an outline application, the applicant had provided some illustrative elevations to show how the building would sit across the changing level of the site.  It was added there we no objections from the statutory consultees, though the Highways Section had noted issues in terms of the proximity of an existing bus stop to the proposed entrance to the site, though this could be addressed by relocation of the bus stop.

The Chairman asked the Local Member for Deerness, Councillor J Chaplow to speak in relation to the Application.

Councillor J Chaplow noted that the area needed a care home to help provide this vital facility locally, for local people.  Councillor J Chaplow added that she would hope that development would “begin on site tomorrow” as it would help provide a care facility, tidy up a long derelict site and also have benefits in terms of employment for local people.  Councillor J Chaplow concluded by asking that the Committee agree the Officer’s recommendation and approve the application.

The Chairman thanked Councillor J Chaplow and asked Alderman P Stoddart to speak in relation to the Application, on behalf of the Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council.

Alderman P Stoddart thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to speak and noted that this was not an ordinary application, rather it would help with the regeneration of the village, bringing a derelict site back into use which currently was a disgrace to the Parish, County Council and Deerness Valley. 

Alderman P Stoddart added that the development would bring forward a much welcomed facility, represent a vast visual improvement to the area and therefore he would appeal to the Members of the Committee to support and approve the application as set out in the Officer’s report.

The Chairman thanked Alderman P Stoddart and asked Members of the Committee for their questions and comments on the application.

Councillor A Bell noted that when Local Councillors and Parish Councils speak in support of an application this carried weight and accordingly he would therefore move the recommendation that the application be approved.

Councillor A Laing asked if a number could be put on the jobs that would be created from this application and also seconded the approval of the application.  The Senior Planning Officer noted that within full planning applications there was a section that would look to gather information in this regard; however, this was only an outline application.

Councillor J Clark echoed the comments made by Councillor A Bell and noted that should the application be approved that the large containers on the site should be moved as soon as possible and even if the application were refused, the landowners should be contacted as regards tidying up the site.

Councillor A Bell moved that the application be approved; he was seconded by Councillor A Laing.

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED subject to the Section 106 Agreement and conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee.