Agenda and draft minutes
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Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. The quorum for the Planning and Licensing Committee is 3 members.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were apologies from Councillor Ray Brassington. |
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Substitute Members To note details of any substitution arrangements in place for the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no substitute Members. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Coleman declared that in relation to Application 10 and the adjacent residential buildings discussed during the site inspection briefing, they knew a couple living in one of the neighbouring properties through a local choir connection. The legal representative confirmed that, provided the Councillor was satisfied they could consider the matter with an open mind, the connection declared was acceptable and did not prevent participation. Councillor Corps confirmed that he was the County Councillor but confirmed they didn’t have any connection with Bridgewater Racing |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 January 2026. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2026 were discussed. Councillor Vann proposed accepting the minutes and Councillor Judd seconded the proposal which was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee. RESOLVED: To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2026.
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Chair's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Planning and Licensing Committee.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no announcements by the Chair. |
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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. |
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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. |
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25/02983/OUT - Land North of Folly View, Willersey Proposal Outline application for the erection of up to 30 dwellings
PERMIT subject to completion of S106 legal agreement(s) covering financial contributions to secondary education, library services and community transport, the provision of affordable housing and self-build/custom build housing, and financial contributions to Willersey Parish Council for improvements to the village hall, recreation ground and cemetery.
Additional documents:
Minutes: The proposal was for outline permission to erect of up to 30 dwellings with associated means of access, car parking, public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system, and associated infrastructure.
Case Officer: Martin Perks Ward Member: Councillors Tom Stowe and Gina Blomefield Officer Recommendation: PERMIT subject to completion of a section 106 legal agreement covering financial contributions to secondary education, library services, community transport, the provision of affordable housing and self-built custom housing and financial contributions to Willersey Parish Council for improvements to the village hall recreation ground and cemetery.
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who made the following points:
· A local resident shared correspondence from Severn Trent Water regarding foul drainage capacity. The key points were that:
The Case Officer shared aerial photographs, site plan, photographs from various directions and access points, location of development sites in the town and a drainage scheme strategy.
Public Speakers Speaker 1 – Willersey Parish Council – Councillor Jane Rintoul The proposal formed part of two live applications totalling 90 dwellings in a village of 900 people and 495 homes, creating a dense block of 60 houses. It was emphasised that the development lay within a nationally protected landscape, and that the NPPF required exceptional circumstances for major developments, which had not been demonstrated. They raised serious infrastructure concerns, including closed shops, a school at capacity, overstretched GP and acute health services, and limited public transport increasing car dependency. Combined with existing sewage and water capacity issues, the Councillor urged the Planning Committee to reject the application.
Speaker 2 – Objector – Roger Webb The objector highlighted longstanding flooding and sewage issues in Willersey. They noted that the officer’s report confirmed the applicant was still in discussion with the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and without agreement, the scheme was unacceptable. They emphasised that Severn Trent Water and Thames Water had statutory responsibilities and that no development should proceed until ... view the full minutes text for item 245.
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25/03122/FUL - Wyck Hill Farm Racing Stables, Stow-on-the-Wold Proposal Proposed re-location of stable yard including provision of new access, new buildings and siting of a mobile home.
Case Officer Martin Perks
Ward Member Councillor Dilys Neill
Recommendation
Additional documents:
Minutes: The proposal was to re-locate a stable yard including provision of new access, new buildings and siting of a mobile home. Case Officer: Martin Perks Ward Member: Councillor Dilys Neill
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who made the following points:
Speaker 1 – Ward Member – Councillor Dilys Neill The legal representative was satisfied that the Chair had confirmed that they would be able to approach the application openly and transparently.
The proposal supported a long-established equestrian business by modernising stables, converting two redundant barns to housing to fund the business, providing a mobile home for the groom, creating local employment, and improving access with a safer, Council-approved entrance.
Member Questions
Member comments
Councillor Joe Harris proposed and Councillor Daryl Corps seconded the proposal to permit the application. Delegated authority was proposed for the officer to make minor amendments to condition timeframes, with a Section 106 agreement ensuring monitoring of biodiversity net gain (BNG) over the coming months. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
RESOLVED: To PERMIT subject to completion of S106 legal agreement covering Biodiversity Net Gain with delegated to Officers to condition timeframes.
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24/02513/FUL - Siddington Park, Cirencester Proposal Development of land and erection of buildings to expand an existing Integrated Retirement Community (Use Class C2)
Case Officer Andrew Moody
Ward Member Councillor Mike Evemy
Recommendation
Additional documents:
Minutes: The proposal was the development of land and erection of buildings to expand an existing Integrated Retirement Community (Use Class C2).
Case Officer: Andrew Moody Ward Member: Councillor Mike Evemy Officer recommendation: PERMIT subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement.
The Chair invited the Case Officer to introduce the application who made the following points:
Speaker 1 – Objector – Oli Freeling-Wilkinson Whilst local residents supported reasonable development, the current proposal for six blocks of flats, including three- and four-storey buildings close to their homes, raised serious concerns. He noted the applicant had not meaningfully engaged beyond one pre-application meeting, design revisions remained incomplete according to the Conservation Officer, and tree mitigation was inadequate due to planned felling and inaccurate shadow reports.
Speaker 2 – Agent Siddington Park provided purpose-built housing with care for older residents, meeting a documented local need for housing with care. The proposed final phase added communal facilities and had addressed all planning concerns, including tree works approved on health and safety grounds. The development supported the local economy and was considered sensitive, balanced, and appropriate.
Speaker 3 – Ward Member – Councillor Mike Evemy The Ward Member raised three main concerns about the application: the accuracy of tree and shadow impact evidence, the absence of any affordable housing provision, and the effect of building scale and proximity on neighbours’ amenity at Preston Leigh. They welcomed clarification on tree replacement but questioned the shadow diagrams based on observations. They also requested a viability review to secure a future affordable housing contribution, raised concerns that some blocks may be too large and too close to neighbouring properties, and sought stronger conditions on construction timing and drainage.
Member Site Inspection Briefing feedback:
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Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Purpose: To advise Planning and Licensing Committee of the current NPPF consultation, agree the consultation response on behalf of the Council and to seek delegated authority to respond to a second consultation on Design and Placemaking guidance.
Recommendations: That the Planning and Licencing Committee resolves to:
Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to advise the Planning and Licensing Committee of the current NPPF consultation, agree the consultation response on behalf of the Council and to seek delegated authority to respond to a second consultation on Design and Placemaking guidance.
The report was introduced by Councillor Juliet Layton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, and Geraldine Le Cointe, Assistant Director of Planning Services, who made the following points:
The Government published a draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and was inviting responses by 10 March. The draft introduced significant changes, splitting the NPPF into plan-making policies and development management policies, which made it easier to read. Key points for local planning:
Members were invited to review the draft, particularly policies on settlement and unmet need, and provide feedback for the consultation by 20 February 2026.
The Committee discussed the report and voted to APPROVE the recommendations. |
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Sites Inspection Briefing Members for 4 March 2026 (if required)
Councillors Dilys Neill, Ian Watson, Ray Brassington, Daryl Corps, Michael Vann Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair advised members to keep 4 March 2026 free for a possible Site Inspection Briefing. Councillors Dilys Neill (Chair), Ray Brassington, Ian Watson, Daryl Corps, Michael Vann. |
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Licensing Sub-Committee Members for 26 February 2026 (if required)
Councillors Ian Watson, Julia Judd, Michael Vann Additional documents: Minutes: There was a Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting scheduled for 12 February 2026. Councillors Dilys Neill, Ray Brassington, David Fowles. |
Carried