(By the Building Adviser)
In the absence of the Hon Norma Edwards, who was away from the Islands on other Government business, the meeting was chaired by the Hon Sharon Halford and attended by the Hon John Birmingham, Mr Brian Summers, Mr Riki Evans, Mr Tim Miller and Mr Jim Moffatt. Four members of the public sat in to listen to the proceedings.
Declarations of interest were made at the start and after dealing with matters arising from the previous meeting, members began the review of twenty-six applications seeking various forms of approval under present legislation. The previously deferred submission by Miss Anna King to use the ground floor of 34 Ross Road as two retail units was given approval, and consent was agreed for two more dwellings on East Stanley Development: Glenn Ross’ house on Watson Way and Mr and Mrs Martin Cant’s on Goss Road.
A small number of proposals were, however, refused planning permission: LMW (BM) Ltd’s outline submission for dwellings to be erected at Detteleff’s Paddock, and two applications for commercial development at the Canache submitted by Stevedore and Fishery Services Limited, the latter being considered out of place in an area which should be reserved for recreational uses.
Despite some objections to the development which had been received by the Environmental Planning Officer, Mr Mike Triggs’ application for approval to build a 1½-storey house on land at Philomel Place received consent. The Chief Fire Officer voiced his concerns over plans to use part of The Tabernacle Free Church as a children’s nursery, but with the deletion of a proposed access path west of the building and the assurances of the applicants (Miss Christine Peck and Miss Lynne Forster) that parents and guardians will be asked not to park on Barrack Street, it was decided to give a temporary one-year permission, during which period the situation will be monitored.
Permission in principle was given for the erection of dwellings on land west of the Mobile Home Park, although detailed plans of the arrangements for the supply of electricity and for the disposal of sewerage will have to be provided and be approved before final approval can be given to the applicants, LMW (BM) Limited.
Mr Richard Short sought approval for the erection of a domestic garage with an attached study and toilet at the site of his house in Pitaluga Place. Members agreed that consent could be issued but with the condition that the study is used for domestic purposes only and not as part of a business.
Other approvals granted included the change of use of Stone House at Goose Green from a dwelling to a self-catering facility; the construction of a dual-pitched roof over the mobile home temporarily sited at 6 Dairy Paddock Road; the erection of a security fence at the rear of some premises on Lookout Industrial Estate and a fence on the north boundary of 2 Moody Street; and the provision of a dual pitched roof to their Portakabin temporarily sited at 6 Villiers Street for the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Handicrafts.
It was resolved that a recommendation be made to Executive Council for approval to be granted for the extraction of 400 tonnes of stone rock run on land north-west of Mount Kent, the Committee not having the power to grant planning permission for the extraction of minerals.
Concern was expressed at the application made for retrospective planning permission submitted by Mr Robert King for an overhead telephone line at his house being erected at 22-24 Davis Street. The line would have been put up by the telephone company and this should not have occurred until planning permission had first been obtained, members were advised. The officers were instructed to write to Cable and Wireless and remind them that they should check first that permission has been obtained before putting up any more overhead lines.
Turning to other business, the Committee received a report on the responses from residents in Brandon Road and Brandon Road West to a proposed re-numbering scheme and it was agreed that, with the strength of resistance to change, it would not be pursued. Members did agree that it would be a great help if all residents throughout Stanley indicated the street number of their property by prominently displaying it upon a gate post. They hoped that this would be done as soon as was possible.
The street numbering of St Mary’s Walk had been raised by a resident as causing some difficulty with duplication and a proposed scheme, which would mean a limited change of number to the government-owned dwellings opposite the hospital and one other house – that of the complainant, was agreed to by members.
Problems encountered at the West Hillside car park were brought to the notice of members in a letter with an enclosure received from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. The Committee felt, however, that whilst it supported the call for more parking spaces than existed it was really an internal matter for the Corporation to resolve.
The subject of the proposed bar and licensed café at Swan Inlet was briefly discussed and it was reported that the officers, accompanied by Councillor Richard Cockwell, were expecting to visit the site shortly and see for themselves what was intended. It was therefore expected that the facts could be reported upon at the next meeting of the Committee, this being scheduled for Thursday October 5th, commencing at 9am in the Liberation Room.
The meeting concluded at 11.30am after only a brief discussion on matters reserved following the exclusion of the press and public.
Graham France 8 September 2000
