Agenda item

Copies of the following papers attached:-

review of 21/00016/RREF

There had been circulated copies of the request from AB Wight Engineering Ltd c/o Murray Land & Buildings, Hillside, Dean Place, Newstead, Melrose TD6 9RL to review the decision to refuse the planning application for the erection of a new agricultural machinery dealership premises at Slaters’ Yard, Charlesfield, St Boswells TD6 0HH.  The supporting papers included the Notice of Review; Decision Notice; Officer’s Report; papers referred to in the Officer’s Report; Consultation Replies, Objection Comments, Additional Information and a list of policies. The Planning Officer drew attention to information, in the form of 3D images, which had been submitted with the Notice of Review documentation but which had not been before the Appointed Officer at the time of determination.  Members agreed that the information was new but considered in that it met the Section 43B Test and was material to the determination of the Review so should be considered.  Members noted that the proposed site would be contrary to policy PMD4 of the Local Development Plan 2016 as it was outwith the Development Boundary for St Boswells and outwith the Charlefield Industrial Estate.  The proposed development could prejudice the character and natural edge of St Boswells and cause significant adverse effects on the landscape setting of the settlement. In addition, there appeared to be no significant community benefits of the proposal that justified development outwith the Development Boundary.  The Members considered the history of the site and questioned whether other sites would be available.  Following further discussion, Members concluded that they could not determine the review without further procedure in the form of additional information from the Planning Officer and Forward Planning on available Industrial Land within Charlesfield and surrounding area.   They also asked for an unaccompanied site visit to be arranged to enable them to assess the site of proposed development in the context of the surrounding area.

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)          the request for review had been competently made in terms of Section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

(b)       the new information submitted with the Notice of Review documentation in the form of three 3D images  met the test set out in Section 43B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

(c)       the review could not be considered without further procedure in the form of an unaccompanied site visit and a Hearing;

(d)       the Applicant and Appointed Officer (or any officer nominated by the Appointed Officer) be asked to attend and provide information at the Hearing on the availability of Industrial land within Charlesfield Industrial Estate, St. Boswells and surrounding area;

(e)          consideration of the review be continued to a future meeting on a date to be arranged.