The planning application for 63 Bouverie Avenue has been given planning permission for one new dwelling, despite dozens of local objections.

As the local councillor, i called the application to committee, because of the local interest in the application.

After consideration at the meeting, i moved “Refusal” on the grounds that it was contrary to policies H19 (Housing Restraint Area) & D2 (Infill).  It was seconded by a Conservative councillor who lives in Winterslow.  He spoke in favour of “Refusal” along with a LibDem councillor for Durrington.

I spoke strongly against the application on the above policies and suggested that it would set a precedent.  I also quoted the Planning Inspectors comments, as he had recently “Dismissed” an appeal for one dwelling and another application for five dwellings.  There have been several applications, with various numbers of dwellings for this site.

The vote to “Refuse” was however lost and the Chairman voiced his support for the application.  Several other Conservative colleagues, who do not live in Salisbury, or have never sat on a planning committee before (this showed as one had asked what policy D6 was as she’d never seen it!) seemed to vote en-bloc for “Approval”.  The Conservatives dominate this committee.

I asked for my dissent to be recorded.

The above is an exact account of what happened in the meeting.

For the Minutes, please click:  http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21951/Item_No._02_-_Minutes_of_the_previous_meeting.doc