MINUTES OF RYDE TOWN COUNCIL’S
IN GEORGE STREET CENTRE, RYDE BAPTIST CHURCH, RYDE.
Members Present: Cllr Simon Cooke (Chair), Cllr Diana Conyers, Cllr Jo Elliott, Cllr Tom Hanley, Cllr Jess Higgins, Cllr Richard May, and Cllr Malcolm Ross.
Also in Attendance: Jon Baker (Committees and Place Plan Coordinator), and Chris Turvey (Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer).
3 Members of The Public.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
A member of the public asked if anything could be done regarding the issue of people feeding pigeons in the High Street which was causing a nuisance to local residents and visitors alike. The same person also highlighted a faulty streetlight and what could be done to fix it.
The member of the public was advised that the matters would be reported to the relevant bodies under the auspices of the Isle of Wight Council.
Apologies were received from Cllr Charles Chapman.
None received.
None requested.
The minutes to the previous meeting held on 14 November 2023 were reviewed.
RESOLVED:
Cllr Conyers asked what could be done about the constant overflowing of water following heavy rainfall along the roadside at the Esplanade Eastern Gardens.
It was noted that it was being caused by the build-up of sand from the beach and fallen leaves blocking the drains. It was the responsibility of the Isle of Wight Council to ensure the drains remained clear and prevent the water build up. Officers would contact the Isle of Wight Council to ensure this was carried out after any heavy rainfall.
Cllr Ross asked what the status was regarding the ‘Welcome to Ryde’ road signs. It was noted that this was still progressing, albeit slower than hoped. An update would be provided at the next meeting.
Cllr Hanley asked had there been any news regarding Ryde Town Councils involvement with the new toilet facilities at the Esplanade train station. All committee members were advised that this was a matter for Full Council and that when there were any further developments, all members would be duly advised.
The following planning applications were considered by the committee:
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde South East Location: 112 Great Preston Road, Ryde, PO33 1DD
Proposal: Single storey sunroom extension and small decking area.
Prior to the debate a member of the public had expressed concerns around the application due to the fact that it was a retrospective submission and that there was no indication of the enforcement notice as outlined in the Planning and Access Statement as well as the appeal decision within the online documents for this current application.
Members noted that this application had been originally refused. Ryde Town Council recommended approval to the previous plans, on the provision that obscured glassed screening was to be installed to avoid any overlooking onto neighbouring properties. The latest application had removed the upper balcony altogether and lowered the roof line to below the brick detail, which was the main contention the planning inspectorate pointed out when the application went to appeal as the extension did not previously look compliant to the existing building.
There had been no comments submitted to the Isle of Wight Council from any members of the public or statutory consultees.
Members agreed that a lack of information did make it difficult to make any informed decision and that the original concerns around overlooking onto neighbouring properties had still not been fully addressed. Furthermore, confirmation that building regulations approval was also not forthcoming, added to the lack of information to which members could make a decision.
After a proposer, seconder, and a vote via a show of hands, the following was:
It is therefore the opinion of Ryde Town Council that the issues outlined by the Planning Inspectorate in case number APP/P2114/D/21/3271307 have not been fully addressed with this latest proposal.
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde North West Location: 36 Nelson Street, Ryde, PO33 2EY
Proposal: Proposed extensions at 1st and 2nd floor level on side elevation, three/single storey extension on rear elevation and alterations to form 3 additional self-contained flats (total of 9 flats)
This application was for alterations to the existing building including an extension to the rear to form a total of 9 flats (5 x 2 bed and 4 x 1 bed). The previous application 23/00094/FUL, proposed the demolition of the existing building, and was refused for two main reasons. Firstly, Its size, design, and external appearance and secondly for its insufficient parking provision. In terms of impact on the conservation area, this application appeared to enhance the area by tidying up an unkempt building whilst conserving the character of the conservation area it was set in. Members therefore were requested to consider if the parking issue had been adequately resolved within the renewed application.
Island Roads had already agreed that the parking issue was not something that should prevent the application being granted due to the location being close to existing public transport routes and there was enough local parking to accommodate the additional demand.
Members agreed that the revised application was a much better proposal, negating the need to demolish the building and erect a new one. However, there was some discussion around access to the proposed floor plans. It was however established that they were contained in the Design, Access, Planning and Heritage Statement.
It was however agreed that whilst the new application addressed much needed housing for Ryde and was situated on a brownfield site, Ryde Town Council would need assurances that there would be adequate provision for waste and cycle storage. There would also need to be a contributions made to the Solent Special Protection Area (SPA) as well as to affordable housing for the three additional flats.
There had been no comments submitted from any members of the public.
After a proposer, seconder, and a vote via a show of hands, the following was:
The following planning applications were considered under delegated powers by the Chair and the Place and Neighbourhoods Officer, and they proposed no objections:
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde North West Location: 92B West Street, Ryde, PO33 2NN Proposal: Proposed garden room.
Application No: 23/01939/ADV (LBC App No 23/01940/LBC) Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde North West
Location: 47 - 48 Union Street, Ryde, PO33 2LF
Proposal: Proposed 1x externally illuminated fascia sign.
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde Appley and Elmfield Location: 7 Royal Walk, Ryde, PO33 1NL
Proposal: Demolition of conservatory and garage; proposed two storey side and rear extensions, single storey front and rear extensions; alterations to include cladding.
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Ryde Monktonmead Location: 24 St Johns Road, Ryde, PO33 2RN Proposal: Non-illuminated wall mounted sign
Parish(es): Ryde Ward(s): Binstead and Fishbourne Location: 11 Pellview Close, Ryde, PO33 3TU
Proposal: Single storey side extension to enlarge shower room for wheelchair access, plus new external wheelchair ramping; raised decking and retention of existing single storey rear conservatory (revised plan) (revised description) (readvertised application)
Members noted the following decisions taken by the IWC’s Planning Department:
PLANNING APPLICATION DECISIONS
APPLICATIONS APPROVED
Location: Former Council Depot, Victoria Crescent, Ryde, PO33 1DG Proposal: Demolition of existing depot buildings, construction of 5 new dwellings.
Parish: Ryde Ward: Ryde Appley and Elmfield. Decision Date: 06/11/2023
Ryde Town Council raises no objection to this application.
Location: Sandpipers, Buckingham Close, Ryde, PO33 2DN
Proposal: Demolition of conservatory; proposed single storey front and side extension; replacement pitched roof to kitchen; alterations to include rear veranda with screen and cladding.
Parish: Ryde Ward: Ryde North West Decision Date: 07/11/2023
Ryde Town Council raises no objection to this application.
Location: Milmega Park Road, Ryde, PO33 2BE
Proposal: Installation of 2x illuminated fascia signs and 1x non-illuminated post sign.
Parish: Ryde Ward: Ryde Monktonmead. Decision Date: 15/11/2023
Ryde Town Council raised no objection to this application.
Location: 1 Denham Cottages, Weeks Road, Ryde, PO33 2TR
Proposal: Variation of condition 2 on 21/00369/HOU to allow amendments to the appearance of the approved extension.
Parish: Ryde Ward: Haylands and Swanmore. Decision Date: 17/11/2023
Ryde Town Council raised no objection to this application.
Location: Milmega Park Road, Ryde, PO33 2BE
Proposal: Alterations and change of use from warehouse (Class B8) to multi- disciplinary veterinary clinic (Class E) with associated parking and service areas.
Parish: Ryde Ward: Ryde Monktonmead. Decision Date: 21/11/2023
Ryde Town Council raised no objection to this application.
APPLICATIONS REFUSED
Location: 5 Grenville Drive, Ryde, PO33 3JN
Proposal: Formation of balcony on front elevation; alterations to fenestration Decision Date: 13/11/2023
Parish: Ryde Ward: Haylands And Swanmore
Ryde Town Council raised no objection to this application.
Members noted the following increases in National Planning Fees as advised by the Chief Planner of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 14 November 2023:
Planning application fees increased by 35% for applications for major development.
Planning application fees increased by 25% for applications for all other applications.
The new fees would come into effect from the start of 6 December 2023.
The Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer presented a report to members of the committee which advised on additional information obtained since the previous meeting which would help to further inform them in making a decision regarding Ryde Town Council’s enforcement requirements.
Members were reminded that Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council had for the past year employed the services of Isle of Wight Council Enforcement Officers for three days per week and as reported at the previous meeting had some results regarding mostly shop front cases within their conservation area and some illegal advertising banners.
Whist such cases were regarded as important, members agreed that there were larger, more pressing matters that needed addressing in Ryde such as the ongoing former Royal York Hotel, which continued to blight Ryde and upset residents. Smaller cases could possibly be addressed via other means including use of Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The report provided four options for members of the committee to consider ahead of making any decision:
Option 1 - Pay nothing and rely on the existing IW Council service – at no cost.
Option 2 - Engage IWC’s Enforcement Officers for two days a week – at a cost of £15,769.60 Minimum.
Option 3 - Write to owners with untidy buildings and provide funding – at a cost of £10,000.00 Maximum.
Option 4 - Improve Town Centre with £20 million levelling up fund – cost unknown.
It was agreed that further investigation into employing the services of Isle of Wight Councils Enforcement Officer should be considered. However, before any decision could be taken, Ryde Town Council would need to clearly outline what was expected of the Isle of Wight Council and that assurances would need to be given that such cases as the former Royal York Hotel would be robustly pursued with every effort made to ensure a satisfactory conclusion. There would also be a need to establish a specific action plan on the former Royal York Hotel and how the building could be restored to a condition that was of a satisfactory standard.
After a proposal, seconder, and a vote via a show of hands, the following was:
The Committee was presented with a report from The Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer which recommended including in the revised Ryde Position Statement the extension of the Town Centre Boundary which could benefit the town greatly by the following means:
More housing designed into an area which owing to previous parking limitations would not have been viable.
An increase in population near the town centre benefiting local business.
Large problem buildings bought back into use which would lend themselves to creating small one and two bedroom accommodation which are cheap and greatly needed in the area.
Suitable buildings used for sheltered accommodation aimed at older and/or disabled people who have no need for cars.
Ryde Town Council would always encourage the building on brown field sites for housing needs, but the current situation made it difficult owing to there being very little parking provision.
Compared to Ryde, Newport’s boundary was much larger. Ryde on the other hand only included Union Street, the High Street and George Street. Therefore, bringing in other areas would provide much needed additional housing options.
Whilst there may not be so many parking places, this would not necessarily be a large problem as housing would be within easy reach of public transport and any accommodation would be provided with the appropriate cycle storage, all of which would fit Ryde’s green agenda and reduce the towns carbon footprint. Use of hired electric vehicles such as bikes, scooters and possibly the introduction of a scheme for electric cars, much like the ‘Zipcars’ scheme used on the mainland, could be considered. After a proposal, seconder, and a vote via a show of hands, the following was:
Owing to the forthcoming Christmas and New Year break, it was proposed that any items of business, including planning and licencing applications that required a decision between 6 December 2023 and the next scheduled meeting of the Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Committee on 16 January 2024, would be delegated to the Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer and the Committees and Ryde Place Plan Coordinator in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Committee. Should there be any major planning or licencing applications or any other items requiring an urgent decision during this period and there is insufficient time to wait until the 16 January 2024, then an Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Committee would be called to discuss the matter.
After a proposal, seconder, and a vote via a show of hands, the following was:
RESLOVED:
Members noted that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at 7.00pm.