Agenda and minutes
PDF 531 KBVenue: the Council Chamber - Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
Media
| No. | Item | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. The quorum for the Planning and Licensing Committee is 3 members.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were apologies for absence from Councillors Ian Watson and Tristan Wilkinson. |
|||||||||
|
Substitute Members To note details of any substitution arrangements in place for the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no substitute Members. |
|||||||||
|
Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Julia Judd declared that she had known the applicant for 25/02175/FUL approximately 17 years ago which was agreed to be impartial by the legal representative.
The Ward Member, Councillor David Fowles, described a letter received from Howard Cole, written by Mark Chadwick on 5 December which was included in the additional pages, the contents of which had been discussed with officers and legal services. While officers recommended approval, the Ward Member explained that there were significant objections from Southrop residents and the parish council, and that he had been asked to summarise those views as reasons for referral to the review panel and subsequently to Committee. He emphasised that these were not necessarily his own views, and that his role was to represent the whole village, including the applicant and his family. The Ward Member acknowledged the letter’s tone but confirmed that, despite correspondence received from both objectors and the site owner, he approached the application with an open mind. Legal Services sought confirmation of this, and the Ward Member confirmed that he was content to consider the application impartially.
Councillor Ray Brassington declared that he had previously known Mark Chadwick, as he had formerly been a planning officer at the Council. |
|||||||||
|
To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 November 2025. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2025 were discussed. Councillor Coleman proposed accepting the minutes and Councillor Fowles seconded the proposal which was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
RESOLVED: To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2025.
|
|||||||||
|
Chair's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Planning and Licensing Committee.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair proposed holding a festive buffet lunch for Planning and Licensing Committee members and officers on 15 January 2026, subject to availability and confirmation.
The Chair noted with regret the absence of Councillor Maclean, who had resigned as District Councillor for the Rissingtons due to ill health. The Committee expressed their sincere thanks for his valued and thoughtful contributions over many years, particularly his guidance on energy conservation, ecology and climate change. He was warmly acknowledged as a respected colleague who would be greatly missed. |
|||||||||
|
Public questions A maximum of 15 minutes is allocated for an “open forum” of public questions at committee meetings. No person may ask more than two questions (including supplementary questions) and no more than two such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation. The maximum length of oral questions or supplementary questions by the public will be one minute. Questions must relate to the responsibilities of the Committee but questions in this section cannot relate to applications for determination at the meeting.
The response may take the form of: a) A direct oral response (maximum length: 2 minutes); b) Where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) Where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no public questions. |
|||||||||
|
Member questions A maximum period of fifteen minutes is allowed for Member questions. Questions must be directed to the Chair and must relate to the remit of the Committee but may not relate to applications for determination at the meeting.
Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received but the Chair may group together similar questions.
The deadline for submitting questions is 5.00pm on the working day before the day of the meeting unless the Chair agrees that the question relates to an urgent matter, in which case the deadline is 9.30am on the day of the meeting.
A member may submit no more than two questions. At the meeting the member may ask a supplementary question arising directly from the original question or the reply. The maximum length of a supplementary question is one minute.
The response to a question or supplementary question may take the form of: a) A direct oral response (maximum length: 2 minutes); b) Where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) Where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Member questions. |
|||||||||
|
25/02175/FUL - Thyme - Southrop Estate Office Proposal Erection of 3 new structures and associated landscaping to provide additional spa facilities and hotel accommodation at Thyme.
Case Officer Amy Hill
Ward Member Councillor David Fowles
Recommendation PERMIT Additional documents:
Minutes: The proposal was for the erection of 3 new structures and associated landscaping to provide additional spa facilities and hotel accommodation.
Case Officer: Amy Hill Ward Member: Councillor David Fowles Officer Recommendation: PERMIT
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who made the following points:
Public Speakers Speaker 1 – Southrop Parish Council – Councillor Cathy Brickley The Parish Council noted that, although the application had been subject to pre-application discussions, no local consultation had taken place. An objection was raised due to concerns about new development within a conservation area, including potential noise and light pollution, the risk of further incremental development, and impacts on nearby listed buildings. The speaker raised concerns about increased traffic on narrow village roads and the absence of a traffic survey. The level of local objection was highlighted as evidence of concern that the proposal represented over-development harmful to the character and scale of the village.
Speaker 2 - Objector - Jonathan Turnock Dr Jonathan Turnock, Associate Heritage Consultant, spoke on behalf of the owners of The Dovecote, a building adjacent to the site. He raised concerns that the application had not been supported by an adequate heritage assessment and that the level of heritage harm identified was understated. He considered that the proposed development would cause harm to the Southrop Conservation Area and to the significance of nearby Grade II listed buildings. He stated that the loss of open land would harm the historic setting and functional relationship of these assets and adversely affect important views from public footpaths. He concluded that public benefits had not been sufficiently demonstrated.
Speaker 3 – Supporter - Flavia Mann She considered that the level of local support for Thyme had not been fully reflected and emphasised the value of Thyme’s role in sustaining village amenities, employment and community life. She described Thyme as a locally rooted business that provided quiet facilities and supported a wide range of local jobs and suppliers. She did not believe the proposal would result in increased noise, light or traffic, and considered the development to be a modest and appropriate evolution.
Speaker 4 – Applicant - Camilla Hibbert The General Manager of Thyme outlined that the business employed a local team of approximately 130 people and had restored the former farmstead. She highlighted ongoing investment in listed buildings and local trades and crafts and its commitment to sustainability. She stated that the design had been developed in accordance with heritage guidance and that the applicant had engaged with neighbours and the Parish Council, resulting in revisions to the scheme.
Speaker 5 – Ward Member – Councillor David Fowles The Ward Member acknowledged Thyme’s ... view the full minutes text for item 219.
|
|||||||||
|
25/02722/LBC - Thyme - Southrop Estate Office Purpose Erection of glazed extension to curtilage listed building at Thyme.
Case Officer Amy Hill
Ward Member Councillor David Fowles
Recommendation PERMIT Additional documents: Minutes: The proposal was for the erection of glazed extension to curtilage listed building at Thyme.
Case Officer: Amy Hill Ward Member: Councillor David Fowles Officer Recommendation: PERMIT
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who shared the Site Location Map, ariel photographs and photographs from different directions.
Member Questions Members asked questions of the officers, who responded in the following way:
Member Comments Members proposed the following reasons to arrange a Site Inspection Briefing:
Councillor Ray Brassington proposed an All Member SIB and Councillor Daryl Corps seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
RESOLVED: To DEFER the application.
Break: 15:35 – 15:45
|
|||||||||
|
25/01951/FUL - Talland School of Equitation Purpose Construction of an outdoor riding arena.
Case Officer Ceri Porter
Ward Member Councillor Lisa Spivey
Recommendation
PERMIT subject to completion of a S106 legal agreement covering Biodiversity Net Gain
Additional documents:
Minutes: The proposal was for the construction of an outdoor riding arena.
Case Officer: Ceri Porter Ward Member: Councillor Lisa Spivey Officer Recommendation: PERMIT subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement covering Biodiversity Net Gain.
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who shared arial photographs, site map, cross sections, construction details and photographs of the site from various directions.
Public Speakers Speaker 1 – Agent – Laura Polley The Talland School of Equitation, a major UK riding centre with 80–100 horses, provided training from beginner to Olympic/Paralympic level. The school was limited by available training space rather than horses or staff. The proposal would enable year-round training, competitions, and expanded services. Officers had confirmed it complied with local planning policy, would not harm the Cotswolds National Landscape, and that the applicant had worked with the Council ecologist to protect species and achieve the required 10% on-site biodiversity net gain.
Member Questions Members asked questions of the officers, who responded in the following way:
Member Comments In discussing the application, Members made the following comments:
Councillor Coleman proposed PERMITTING the application and Councillor Fowles seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
RESOLVED: To PERMIT the application.
|
|||||||||
|
Sites Inspection Briefing Members for 7 January 2026 (if required)
Councillors Dilys Neill, Ray Brassington, Tristan Wilkinson, Patrick Coleman Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair advised all Members to keep 7 January 2026 free for a Site Inspection Briefing. |
|||||||||
|
Licensing Sub-Committee Members for 29 January 2026 (if required)
Councillors Dilys Neill, David Fowles, Ray Brassington. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no licensing sub-committees planned. |
Carried