Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Committee Members Cllr Horace Prickett and Cllr Dennis Drewett.

The meeting also noted the Cllr Jon Hubbard had stated that he was unable to attend as a local member, due to another Council Commitment.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2015 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2015.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Councillor Magnus MacDonald, in relation to application 6 d – 15/05061/FUL, that as had known the objectors to the application for a long time, he would speak as the local member to the application but would not take part in the debate or vote.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

Members of the public who wish to speak either in favour or against an application or any other item on this agenda are asked to register in person no later than 2.50pm on the day of the meeting.

The Chairman will allow up to 3 speakers in favour and up to 3 speakers against an application and up to 3 speakers on any other item on this agenda. Each speaker will be given up to 3 minutes and invited to speak immediately prior to the item being considered. The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are detailed in the Council’s Planning Code of Good Practice.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution which excludes, in particular, questions on non-determined planning applications. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 7 October 2015. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

The Committee noted that a question regarding fracking had been submitted by Cllr Trevor Carbin had been submitted, but that the response had not yet been finalised. The Chairman apologised for the delay and asked that officers circulate the question and response once it had been circulated.

The Chairman then welcomed all present. He then explained the rules of public participation and the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

To consider and determine the following planning applications:

The Committee noted that the application had been withdrawn and therefore would not be considered at this meeting.

In response to a question raised by Cllr Trevor Carbin, the Area Team Leader stated that he understood that the applicant planned to resubmit an application; however, in recognition that the application was retrospective, officers shall keep the local ward member fully informed after further liaison with the Council’s enforcement planning team and the applicant.

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the report that recommended that the application be approved with conditions.

Brian Inns and Doug Tuckerman spoke in objection to the application; and David William spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Jonathon Seed spoke on behalf of the local member Cllr Jon Hubbard.

Issues discussed in the course of the presentation and debate included: the location of the proposed development and the size and elevation of the proposed building; the setting of the proposal and its proximity to the conservation area and other listed buildings; the impact of the proposals on the trees and landscaping on the site; the impact of the proposals on the neighbouring properties, and the distance of the proposals from neighbouring properties; the car parking spaces proposed and the views of the highway officers.

In questioning the Senior Planning Officer, the Committee sought clarity on the proposed allocation of funding arising from the draft s106 agreement, the impact of the cost of the new crossing on the affordable housing contribution; and the officer’s view that a condition on the permission may not be considered reasonable.

Having been put to the vote, the meeting;

Resolved that the Area Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out below, on prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement for bus stops, a pedestrian crossing and off site affordable housing contribution.

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the report that recommended that the

application be approved with conditions.

Jon Newsam spoke in objection to the application; and Mark Hallett spoke in support of the application.

Issues discussed in the course of the presentation and debate included: the access to the site for development, and the views of the highways officer; the planning history and the previously approved applications; the materials of the scheme; the elevation of the proposals; the similarities and difference between the approved scheme and the proposals; the impact of the proposals on the landscaping; the views of the neighbours; and the impact of the ownership of the lane on potential and proposed conditions.

Cllr Trevor Carbin proposed, subsequently seconded by Cllr Andrew Davis, that the Committee should approve the application as per the officer’s

recommendation detailed in the report.

In questioning the Legal Services representative, the Committee sought clarity on the relevance of recent case law regarding planning permissions and the Council’s duty of care.

Having been put to the vote, the meeting;

Resolved, unanimously, to grant permission subject to the following conditions:

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the report that recommended that the

application be approved with conditions.

Stephanie Laslett spoke in objection to the application; and Martin Hunn, Richard Wheeler and Rebecca Wheeler spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Magnus MacDonald spoke as the local member.

Issues discussed in the course of the presentation and debate included: the views of the Parish Council; the position of the neighbours window in relation to the proposals; and the layout of the site and the position of the building to the streetscene.

Cllr Andrew Davis proposed, subsequently seconded by Cllr Roy While that the Committee should approve the application as per the officer’s

recommendation detailed in the report.

Having been put to the vote, the meeting;

Resolved, to grant permission subject to the following conditions:

Admin Note: In accordance with his interest declared earlier in the meeting, Cllr Magnus MacDonald spoke as the local member, but did not take part in the debate or vote on the matter.

To receive details of appeal decisions and appeals pending.

The Area Team Leader presented the Planning Appeals Update Report.

Issues discussed in the course of the debate included: whether more information should be required; the impact of such requests on officer’s workloads; and how the report could be used to inform future consideration of applications.

Resolved

1.    To note the Planning Appeals Update Report; and

2.    Requested that future updates be presented quarterly with additional information to enable the Committee to see the original date of the application decision; what the officer’s recommendation was; to include a section on any costs being applied for or being awarded; and to provide a summary of lessons learnt and also cover any Judicial Reviews in that period.

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be taken as a matter of urgency.