Agenda item

Copies of the following papers attached:-

CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Councillor Miers the meeting was opened by Vice Chairman Councillor S. Hamilton. After welcoming Members of the Local Review Body and members of the public to the Scottish Borders Council’s open on-line meeting he explained that, due to possible interruption of his internet connection and the fact that he was declaring an interest in one of the reviews, he proposed that Councillor S. Mountford take the chair for the meeting.  This proposal was seconded by Councillor Laing and in the absence of any other nominations Councillor Mountford accepted the role of Chairman. 

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 25 May 2020, there had been re-circulated copies of the request from Mr Stephen Cranston, per Stuart Patterson Building & Timber Frame Design, 5 Burnflat Lane, Hawick, to review refusal of the planning application for part change of use from garage/storage and alterations to form a workshop and storage for joinery business at the Buccleuch Hotel, Trinity Street, Hawick. The supporting papers included the Notice of Review; Decision Notice; Officer’s Report; papers referred to in the Officer’s Report; Consultations; representation; and a list of policies. Also circulated were copies of further information requested by the Local Review Body, in the form of a bat and breeding bird survey and drawings and statements relating to the mitigation of noise breakout to adjoining areas of the building; and responses to the additional information from the Council’s Ecology and Environmental Health Officers. Members reiterated their views expressed when the review was first considered and noted the responses of the Council’s officers to the further information submitted by the applicant.  They concluded that the proposal represented an appropriate use within a mixed commercial and residential area and approved the application, subject to conditions, including the requirement for a noise impact assessment being carried out prior to development being commenced. 

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)        the review could be considered without the need for any further procedure on the basis of the papers submitted and the additional written submissions;

(b)       the proposal would be consistent with the Development Plan and that there were no other material considerations that would justify departure from         the Development Plan; and

(c)        the officer’s decision to refuse the application be reversed and planning permission be granted, subject to conditions, for the reasons detailed in Appendix I to this Minute. 

MEMBER

Councillor S. Hamilton declared an interest in the following review of application 20/00132/PPP in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the meeting during the discussion.