Issue - meetings

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting explained that no person present would be entitled to speak other than the Members of the Local Review Body (LRB) and Mr Reppke who would provide procedural advice if required.

The Chair stated that having taken advice he could accept that going for a  minor departure was not the best option and he was still minded to try and approve the application on the basis that the it does fit with the Policy LDP DM1 in relation to Greenbelt sites and that the previous planning history was a material consideration.  He was of the mind to seek an agreement of Members that the LRB be continued to allow options for a competent motion to be investigated looking at the basis of the original approval.  Councillor McCuish and Councillor Forrest stated that they were both in agreement with the Chair.

The Chair also  asked the Planning Department and the Applicants  to provide clarity over the materials to be used as the developer states the original stone would be used for the build yet the owner states it would be used for the gable ends only.

The Chair further stated that the policy in relation to Greenbelt sites states that it serves five purposes the last of which is; to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. Whilst he would like to use this policy he said he suspected it is intended to direct housing away from greenbelts and onto urban brownfield sites instead.  He asked that the Planning Department provide comment on his understanding  on this point.

The  LRB also  agreed to request model conditions and reasons that could be attached  to any grant of consent  from the Planning Department.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Local Review Body agreed to;

a)    a continuation to allow for a competent motion to be investigated;

b)    request from the Planning Department and the Applicants clarity on proposed materials to be used;

c)    request from the Planning Department;

i)    clarity in the application of the Policy LDP DM1, under (G);

ii)   a model set of conditions and reasons; and

d)    adjourn the meeting and reconvene at the earliest opportunity.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He explained that no person present would be entitled to speak other than the Members of the Local Review Body (LRB) and Mr Reppke who would provide procedural advice if required.

He advised that his first task would be to establish if the Members of the LRB felt that they had sufficient information before them to come to a decision on the Review.

Councillor Forrest advised that she felt she had enough information before her but was happy to listen to what the rest of the panel had to say before committing to a decision.

Councillor McCuish and Councillor Colville both stated that they felt that had insufficient evidence before them to allow them to determine the Review.

Councillor McCuish felt that the benefit of a site inspection would clarify what he deemed to be a sporadic development at the site and he wished to seek from the Planning Department clarity around the details of the former approved planning permission and the building warrant from 2007.

Councillor Colville felt that a site inspection was not necessary at this stage but did wish to seek clarity from the Planning Department in relation to the status of the 2007 planning application and whether it has expired.  He also wished to enquire about the status of the foundations as depicted on page 12 of the agenda pack.

He explained that Planners state that the application site is located in a remote hillside location within the general environs of a historic farm complex which has been subject to permitted conversion to residential use.  If they are within the curtilage of Camis Eskan developments what is the planners view of Scottish Planning Policy advice as detailed on page 28, section 4.7 of this agenda.  He stated that he was of the understanding that brownfield land is land that was occupied by a permanent structure including the curtilage of the developed land and again at section 4.8 the Planning Advice Note 73 defines brownfield sites as sites that are occupied by redundant or unused buildings or where the land has been significantly degraded by former activity.   Therefor he asked is a brownfield development considered differently if the site is situated in a greenbelt; are redevelopment opportunities limited to those in the green belt policy?

Councillor Colville spoke of factors which he felt were material consideration which included that Helensburgh Community Council were in support the application; the previous planning history; that the application site has been degraded by former activity; and if the Planning Department recognise that the latest population figures are projecting a falling population in Helensburgh.

He wished to know what the planners view is on this Scottish Planning  Policy advice as detailed on page 27, section 4.5 of the agenda and would they agree that the Faslane development is an area where economic investment is planned.

Councillor McCuish stated that after listening to discussions he was confident now that a site visit was no longer required. 

Councillor Forrest supported the request for further information before considering a site visit or coming to a decision on the review.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Local Review Body agreed to;

i)             request further written submissions from the Planning Department in respect  of;

a)    details of the previous  planning permission for conversion of the barn  and the building warrant from 2007 and whether the planning permission  has expired;

b)    planning status of the foundations as depicted on page 12 of the agenda pack; together with clarification on what if any impact that status has on the planning history of the site;

c)    their view  on the Scottish Planning Policy advice as detailed on page 28, section 4.7 of this agenda pack;

d)    clarification on whether  a brownfield development is considered differently if the site is situated in an area of  greenbelt, and if redevelopment opportunities are limited only  to those specified  in the green belt policy?;

e)    clarification on whether  that the latest population figures are projecting a falling population in Helensburgh and Lomond; and

f)     their view on the Scottish Planning  Policy advice as detailed on page 27, section 4.5 of the agenda pack and its relevance to the proposed development  and clarification  that the Faslane development is an area where economic investment is planned in the near future and its relevance to the proposed development .

ii)         to adjourn the meeting and reconvene at the earliest opportunity.