The Planning and Regulatory Committee of North Somerset Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026, approving one planning application for a children's home and refusing two applications related to a listed building in Clevedon. The committee also adopted new procedures for planning decision-making.

Children's Home Approved in Winscombe

The committee approved a planning application for a change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a children's home (Use Class C2) at 16 Well Close, Winscombe. The application, brought forward by North Somerset Council, sought to accommodate up to three young people aged between 8 and 17. Despite objections from local residents citing concerns about parking, traffic, noise, and disturbance, the committee was persuaded by the identified need for such accommodation within North Somerset, as highlighted in the North Somerset Sufficiency Strategy 2024-2027. The decision was made subject to several conditions, including adherence to an approved Operational Management Plan and limiting occupancy to three children. Councillor Catherine Gibbons did not participate in the discussion of this item.

Refusal of Vehicular Access at Woodspring House, Clevedon

Two applications concerning Woodspring House, 17 Hill Road, Clevedon, were refused by the committee. The first, a full planning application (26/P/1031/FUL), sought permission for a new vehicular entrance and driveway, involving the demolition and alteration of a section of the historic boundary wall. The second, a listed building consent application (26/P/1032/LBC), related to the same works.

The primary reasons for refusal for both applications were the harm to the significance of the Grade II listed building and the character and appearance of the Clevedon Conservation Area. Officers argued that the removal and alteration of the historic boundary wall would result in the loss of historic fabric and introduce a feature not characteristic of the area, thereby eroding the established street scene. While the applicant proposed reusing salvaged stone and offered a financial contribution towards conservation area enhancements, these were deemed insufficient to outweigh the heritage harm.

Furthermore, the committee refused the full planning application on grounds of highway safety. Concerns were raised that insufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate that the required visibility splays could be achieved from the proposed access, particularly due to the reliance on assumed vehicle tracks derived from informal on-street parking. The Highway Authority objected to the application on these grounds.

Councillor Michael Pryke, the ward councillor for Clevedon Walton, had referred both applications to the committee.

New Scheme of Delegation Adopted

The committee adopted a new scheme of delegation for planning and regulatory committee procedures, with an implementation date of 31 October 2026. This update is in response to upcoming legislative changes, including a new National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions, which introduces a two-tier structure for decision-making. Under the new regulations, certain applications will be automatically delegated to officers, while others will be subject to a gateway test to determine if they should be considered by the committee. The new procedures consolidate existing practices into a single document and clarify site visit procedures. The Director of Healthy and Sustainable Communities representative presented the report, noting that the explanation of the Gateway test in the officer report would be amended to replace an erroneous 'and' with 'or'.

Public Speaking

Several individuals addressed the committee under Standing Orders 17 and 18. James Harvey spoke in opposition to the children's home application at 16 Well Close, while Katie Bailey spoke in support. Councillor Joe Tristram, the ward councillor for Winscombe, also addressed the committee regarding this application. For the Woodspring House applications, Alan Pearce, the applicant, spoke in support, and Councillor Michael Pryke, the ward member for Clevedon Walton, also addressed the committee.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 July 2026 were approved as a correct record.