Issue - meetings

Details:

Serpentine wall and outside seating area terrace to eastern facade; landscaping

Public Participants:

Dr McKenzie – Applicant’s representative.

Mr Walbank – Objector.

Additional Representations:

The Head of Leisure and Employment supported the refurbishment of the building.

1 additional letter of support from the Museum’s Director.

1 additional letter of support.

Comment:

Cllrs Penson, Rostand and White disclosed non-pecuniary interests as members of Lymington and Pennington Town Council, which had commented on the application, with Cllrs Rostand and White both being members of their Planning Committee.  Cllrs Penson and Rostand disclosed further interests on the grounds that they knew the applicant’s representative, but did not consider that the degree of acquaintance was sufficient to create the impression of bias.  Cllrs Rostand and White disclosed further interests as members of the St Barbe’s Trust. They concluded that they could be considered to have a pre-determined view and were potentially subject to bias.  They consequently abstained from voting.  It was noted that the Town Council had given a grant to the St Barbe Trust last year, but that this was a separate issue to that under consideration.

Cllr Holding disclosed an interest on the grounds that she knew the applicant’s representative.  She considered that that the degree of acquaintance was not sufficient to create an impression of bias and consequently there were no ground under common law to prevent her from taking part in the consideration or voting.

The Committee was aware that the Council’s Conservation Officers that had advised on this proposal had very different views as to its merits and the acceptability of its treatment of the main entrance in New Street.  It was therefore a subjective judgement about the aesthetics of the design.  It was noted that opinions were very divergent.  The majority of the Committee concluded that the use of a very modern, imaginative, design was exciting and aesthetically acceptable, particularly as the main façade to School Lane remained completely unaltered.

Decision:

Planning consent.

Conditions:

Subject to such conditions as the Head of Planning and Transportation deems appropriate.