Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman)

a). Richard Clarke of 43 Albert Avenue, Ray Staples of 50 Albert Avenue and Alison Martin of 48 Albert Avenue all asked if Fiona Hull would take note that they all felt that there was enough social housing in the Frederick and Albert Avenues. Any further housing would get rid of all the green spaces in Albert Avenue and they wondered if the school, doctors and dentists could cope with the extra persons.

b). Cllr. Mrs. Button asked if the name of the new commercial estate off the by-pass had been officially named. She was not happy with Wellow being used and she wondered if the developers realised that the residents of Wellow would rather the name was not used as they had always objected to the estate.

c). Mr. Peter Provest asked if the Council had noted that the new planning legislation includes the fact that Parish Councils will be no longer able to ask for delegated applications to be put before the B&NES planning committee. Chairman said that a subject would be raised at the B&NES planning training session to be held the following evening at the Hollies at 6.30 p.m.

1. Minutes of a Planning Committee meeting held on 5th April 2004

These minutes, which had been previously circulated, were taken as read agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

2. Presentation by Fiona Hull on Somer's ideas for Albert Avenue.

Fiona started by saying that Somer had given her the job to review the Somer land holdings and now that the review of Bath has been completed and several sites were now progressing through the planning process, she was now concentrating on the rural areas.

She was charged with looking for potential sites for low cost dwellings as the present stock was diminishing - 34 properties had been sold in this parish in the last five years.

The review of the Peasedown St John housing stock had shown that the village had a predominance of 3 and 4 bedroom houses and there was a shortage of dwellings for couples and singles.

The old garage site in Frederick Avenue had been looked at and discarded for various reasons - the most important being the fact that houses would have to be pulled down to gain access to the site.

She was now looking at the strip of land between Albert Avenue and the Bath Road. The site could only be used if access can be obtained from Bath Road. The Highways Dept. was now looking at their proposal.

Residents and the Home Zone project have been consulted and it is hoped that any development in this area could be planned to give better parking etc to the existing residents.

Members then asked questions and were not happy with the answers - the Committee gave the whole scheme a thumbs down. Fiona agreed to keep the Council informed of any further developments.

3. Correspondence

a). B&NES. Public Footpath Diversion, Carlingcott Mill

Final comments were required by 16^th June when a recommendation would go the B&NES for approval at local level. If the diversion were still rejected by any party by that date then the decision would be handed to and made by the Secretary of State. The Clerk had not received the views of Camerton PC.

It was therefore agreed to leave on the table to the next meeting when the Camerton views were known.

b). B&NES. Enforcement - 25 Ashgrove

The Clerk, through a series of e-mails with the Enforcement Officers had ascertained that the applicant had now delivered by hand an application to regularise the situation.

c). CF and JA Mason, Laxton Way

An E-mail supporting the proposed speed humps in their road. It seems that, according to the Press, events have overtaken the idea and B&NES have decided to abandon the scheme. Clerk to inform Mr. and Mrs. Mason.

d). B&NES. Planning Training

It is confirmed that all members were circulated with the invitation to attend at the Hollies at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday 11^th May. Several members agreed to attend.

e). The Planning Inspectorate. Appeal decision - 70 Ashgrove

The Inspectorate has agreed with B&NES that the proposed house and garage should not be built on this site.

4. Presentation by Kathy Curling of CSJ Planning Consultants

Kathy had asked to attend this meeting to present the detailed plans for a Service Centre for Mercedes Benz to be built in the new commercial area off the by-pass. Alistair Gibson, the architect and a representative from the Mercedes Company supported Kathy.

The plans for the Service Centre were laid out and all aspects explained by the deputation including the fact that the B&NES planning committee would be asked to allow an estimated 10% retail on the site. This would require some negotiation as the outline plan for the commercial site did not allow for any retail activity.

The building, which carries the high standard of design expected from an international firm of this calibre, was widely praised by the Committee and the architect was congratulated also on the outside layout, which blended the landscaping into the parking and building.

Chairman thanked the deputation for their time and assured them that the Committee would help to convince B&NES that the 10% retail should be accepted. He was sure that this high profile company would be the catalyst to other companies to come and join us in Peasedown St John. The deputation was asked to reconsider the name of the area - please drop the Wellow.

5. New Applications

Six were studied and five attracted the "no objections" label. The sixth was a revised plan for the fencing around 40 Russet Way - B&NES and the Inspector have turned down the previous retrospective application for a 2m fence all round the site. The new plan now shows that part of the 2m close-boarded fence would be replaced by a 1m railing. Members were still against any fencing in the area as it will upset the pleasant street scene and the Clerk was asked to convey that opposition. All comments are published in the Planning Register.

6. Planning decisions made by B&NES

Eight were read to the committee including two plans that had been refused. The plan to develop the shop at 29 Bath Road has been refused by B&NES, due to the fact that parking would cause a traffic hazard in this area.

Meeting closed at 9 p.m.