Agenda and draft minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barned and Mrs Gibson.

There were no Substitute Members.

There were no Visiting Members.

Councillor Mrs Parvin disclosed that the application site was within her Ward, but confirmed that she had had no discussions with the Parish Council or members of the public regarding the application.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the Items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 November and 4 December 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were none.

Please be aware that the Committee may at any time decide to exclude the public if there is likely to be disclosure of exempt information.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services regarding an application for a street trading consent to sell burgers/sausages/sandwiches and hot and cold drinks from a trailer on the land of Newport Imports off he A249 at Stockbury from Monday to Saturday from 6.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

The Chairman introduced those present and ensured that everyone understood the procedure to be followed.

The Head of Housing and Community Services presented the report, outlining the application received.

Mr Plumley (on behalf of Mr Munn) was then given an opportunity to present his case.  He stated that the unit applied foris a semi-permanent one created from a 2011 catering trailer.  All aspects that make it mobile have been removed (no wheels or towage) and it can only be moved by crane.  All the utilities to the unit are located underground and piped in from the main building.  Photographs of the site were circulated to all Members of the Committee at the meeting.

In response to the objections received, Mr Plumley stated that Newport Imports have cleared an area of overgrowth to make it safer for vehicles joining the A249 and assisting vehicles already on the A249.  There are no acceleration lanes along this road which meet required standard, including the Detling Showground and the bus stops.  With regard to the concern raised about an increase in customers leaving the site, this was considered at the time of planning permission being granted to Newport Imports in 2013.  The previous use was for a 100 seater restaurant with 50 parking spaces. About 20 vehicles a day are expected and the site will be open for limited hours.

All rubbish at the site is emptied from small bins for customers into a 1,000 ltr container and emptied weekly by Veolia.  Any litter left outside by anyone or from passing traffic is collected by a member of the cleaning staff employed by Newport Import s.Toilets for customer use are available on site at the garage building.

Mr Plumley said that a further objection from the Parish Councils was with regard to an increase in pedestrians and encouraging them to cross the A249.  He stated that in the time that Newport Imports have been at this site, they have not seen 1 person walking along this stretch of road and the nearest populated village is Stockbury which is 4.5 miles away.  A planning application has been submitted and a decision awaited as the public consultation ended on 27 January 2014.  They are not aware of any objections having been received.

A further objection by the Parish Council was with regard to the preparation of food on site being a nuisance to neighbours.  There is only 1 residential neighbour nearby and they had written in support of the application. 

The objector was then given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant, but he had none.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant.  In response, Mr Plumley  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

5.15 p.m. to 6.25 p.m.