Agenda item

The reports for Items 5 and 6 were introduced by the Head of Planning who outlined the reasons for adoptions and approval a set out in the reports. 

The Head of Planning informed Members of an amendment to the report at paragraph 54 of the report which should have read “magnesian limestone” not “magnesium limestone”.

Ms Harling joined the meeting at 10:20

The Head of Planning informed Members that the development would enhance the very popular site and the footpath that had become severely eroded over the years .  The Authority had received some objections to the proposal  by residents as they felt that it would lead to in increase in visitor numbers, but the Authority considered that it would be unlikely to have an impact on numbers.

Members agreed that waymarking and interpretation should be kept to a minimum so as not to encourage more people to the area on what was already a well publicised route, but suggested perhaps a QR Code, so that visitors that were already there could get a better understanding of the cave, the SSSI and the area when on site.

A motion to approve the application in accordance with the Officer recommendation was moved and seconded, and a vote was taken and carried.

RESOLVED:-

To  APPROVE the application subject to the following conditions:

1.         3 year implementation time limit.

2.         Adopt submitted plans.

3.         a)         No development shall take place until a Written Scheme of Investigation for an archaeological watching brief has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. The scheme shall include an assessment of significance and research questions; and

I.          The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording;

II.         The programme and provision to be made for post investigation analysis and reporting;

III.        Provision to be made for publication and dissemination of the analysis and records of the site investigation;

IV.        Provision to be made for archive deposition of the analysis and records of the site investigation;

V.         Nomination of a competent person or persons/organization to undertake the works set out within the Written Scheme of Investigation".

b) No development shall take place other than in accordance with the archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (a).

c) Within a period of 12 weeks from completion of the development the archaeological site investigation and post investigation analysis and reporting shall have been completed in accordance with the programme set out in the Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (a) and the provision to be made for publication and dissemination of results and archive deposition shall have been secured.

4.  Agree a scheme of discrete way-marking and interpretation.