REPORT OF THE PLANNING & BUILDING COMMITTEE
HELD 7th AUGUST 2003
(By Graham France)
This was to be, as usual, a busy meeting lasting (in the open session) a little more than one hour and ten minutes but without many contentious issues to be discussed by the chairman, the Hon Richard Cockwell, and members the Hon Norma Edwards, Les Harris, Paul Phillips and Mike McLeod. Brian Summers had not yet returned from overseas so apologies from himself and new member Mike Harris were recorded as were a small number of declarations of interest. One member of the public attended in addition to the writer, and Ms Jane Cameron, the Government Archivist, joined in the discussion on one item which concerned the Historic Buildings Committee when it arose.
There were twenty-two applications before the Committee seeking planning permission and as is customary these were led by those deferred at earlier meetings and for renewal of former consents. Government’s application for permission in principle (outline application) to erect a dwelling on land south of 94 Davis Street was now approved, the issue over access to the existing house from Eliza Crescent now having been resolved. Malcolm Ashworth’s application to erect a dwelling on Plots 10 and 12 on the MPA Road had to be deferred again as the further information needed was still not to hand.
No less than seven renewals were then considered, the first of which, for the hobby rooms at the YMCA at 26 Shackleton Drive, received permanent planning permission as did the “park home” accommodating seasonal staff at the Market Garden. Temporary consents renewed for further periods of time included the Portakabin used as a prison workshop and store at Police Headquarters on Ross Road; two containers used for storage by Byron Marine Limited at Plot 33 Lookout Industrial Estate; the mussel farm for Falklands Fresh Limited located between Darwin and Goose Green; one container used for storage at Villiers Street by Terence Phillips; and finally, the container also used for storage by Kelper Stores Limited adjacent to the Beaver Hangar on Ross Road West.
New applications
The Committee then began the review of new submissions and gave planning permission, the majority with conditions attached, to the following: a double garage for David McLeod at 49 Callaghan Road; a small extension and other works to her dwelling at 4 Murray Heights for Carla Francis; the relocation of his earlier approved garage for Gerald Cheek at 9 Biggs Road; Malcolm Jackson’s change of use from an upholstery workshop to a granary at 23 Fitzroy Road; Tony and June McMullen’s application for permanent consent for the mobile home situated at 6A John Street; a proposal to change the use of the shop known as The Toolbox on Davis Street East to two dwellings by Richard Short; an extension to his house at 5 James Street for Steven Jaffray; the display of a directional sign at the west entrance to Lookout Industrial Estate for Kelper Stores Limited; a garage for Mike Floyd (Snr) at 7 Pitaluga Place; a warehouse on their aerial site adjacent to Dairy Paddock Road for KTV Limited (this was the subject of a letter of objection which did not dissuade members from accepting the recommendation for approval); a change of use from staff accommodation and guest accommodation to use as mixed accommodation at their Island lodge for Sea Lion Island Limited; and Nick and Jo’s proposal to extend their dwelling and carry out internal works at 11 McKay Close.
When considering the Gift Shop Limited’s application for approval to extend the east end of the porch of their premises at the Harbour Gift Shop at 34 Ross Road, members voiced concerns at the appearance also took note of a letter received from the Historic Buildings Committee and decided it should be deferred to allow discussions to take place in order to obtain improvements in the design.
The Building Adviser (Jim Robison) then reported on the several building permits he had issued since the last meeting – these totalled seven with two further applications still on hold from earlier meetings where he was awaiting more information.
This was followed by Antony Lancaster (the Environmental Planning Officer) advising members on cases where, under the powers delegated to him, he had granted planning permission. These were in respect of the aerial mast at Reflections on Dean Street and the extension to Stanley Electrical’s premises also on Dean Street.
Next on the agenda was John Thain’s application for an off-street parking grant for works at 8 Davis Street, forming the driveway to his recently erected garage off Brisbane Road which the Committee were pleased to approve. This was followed by a report on progress with the Development Plan and it was decided that the Hon Richard Cockwell, Antony Lancaster and Les Harris would represent the Committee in a discussion to be broadcast on FIBS next month which, it was agreed, was not to be a phone-in. There is also to be a discussion on the topic in the Town Hall which will be held in September and probably at the time and date of the Councillors’ meeting.
Jane Cameron then joined members in the discussion on those buildings which it is proposed to list as Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: 4 Drury Street, 21 Fitzroy Road, 14 Pioneer Row, Mount Rosalie Dip, Shallow Bay Old House, and the Cape Meredith Shanty. It was unanimously agreed that these be proceeded with and a report submitted to Executive Council, also that a number of other buildings be similarly considered in the future such as the Green Patch Dip and at North Arm.
The last items on the agenda dealt with the relaxation of building regulations procedure and the changes proposed to the Planning Ordinance as set out in the Planning (Amendment) Bill 2003, but members were in agreement that the discussion should take place at a separate meeting, such was the depth of detail included in the attached papers, and provisionally decided to hold this on Monday 25th August at 1.30pm with the presence of the Attorney General to assist them.
The next regular meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday 4th September in the Liberation Room and starting at 9am.
