March 2019
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Starbucks drive-throughs
noise, pollution, anti-social behaviour, the proposed 24-hour opening and the creation of a “harmful concentration” of food outlets within the town centre, a proposal was tabled to refuse the application. The principal planning officer advised that, before moving to a vote, members should consider granting permission but with conditions applied that would mitigate against their areas of concern. However, Cllr Dave Hockey said several of his concerns weren’t addressed at all in the officer report and far too many conditions would be needed to make the application acceptable. On eventually moving to a vote, the application was refused permission by five votes to one, with two abstentions. Because the DM Committee’s decision is contrary to the officer recommendation, under new procedures introduced by the council last November the application will now automatically be referred to a larger parent committee, the Spatial Planning
(SP) Committee. This mechanism is intended to ensure that “planning decisions are taken in the best interests of the public and don’t expose the council to unnecessary risks and costs which can come if a developer appeals a council decision”. A spokesperson for The Brookmaker Limited Partnership, owner of the Willow Brook Centre, said: “We are disappointed that councillors have chosen to overturn their officer’s recommendation and refuse the application for the extension of the Willow Brook Centre in Bradley Stoke.” “We have worked closely with officers at South Gloucestershire Council to deliver a policycompliant application that sought to improve the offering available at the centre with additional food and drink and retail units.” “We hope that members of the SP Committee [when they hear the application] will be minded to follow their officer’s recommendation and grant approval.” Above: Committee meeting at the Jubilee Centre on 21st February. Left: Three of the councillors who voted against (l-r): Ken Dando, Ernie Brown and (in background) Dave Hockey.
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