Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received for the meeting.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests, and on Predetermination or Bias in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

There were no disclosures made at the meeting. 

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 March 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 March 2023 be approved and adopted.

The committee agreed to receive the Update Sheet as an addendum to Report PDC1218.

A copy of each planning application decision is available to view on the council’s website under the respective planning application.

The committee considered the following items:

Proposal Description: Item 6: Erection of 2 New Dwellings each with integral garage, on land to rear Beechwood, including minor modifications to existing access onto Worthy Road, together with parking, landscaping and associated works

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full an update to Condition 2 to change the landscaping on the boundary with Holly House from pleached lime to pleached photinia red robin and a revision to Condition 2. In addition, the removal of the word ‘and ‘ from Condition 4 and a change of wording to Condition 5 was also set out in full.

During public participation, David Whitmarsh spoke in objection to the application and Lynne Evans (agent) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Becker spoke as a Ward Member and answered Members’ questions thereon.

In summary, Councillor Becker stated that she was speaking on behalf of neighbouring properties in objection to the application and raised the following points:

·       Neighbours did not oppose to development of the site but were against the design of the dwellings, with the primary concern relating to the height of the proposed houses and the roofline which they considered to be out of keeping with existing properties.

·       Neighbours considered that the difference in the rooflines was even more stark with the rising slope that the proposed dwellings would be built on.

·       The was a concern that the houses would overlook the living areas of 4 Abbey Hill Close.

·       In conclusion, Councillor Becker suggested that the committee carry out a site visit to understand the complex topography of the site and how the proposed dwellings would impact on surrounding properties and urged the committee to refuse the application in its current form.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet.

Proposal Description: Item 7: 2 Custom Self Build dwellings with associated driveways

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full an update to the reason for refusal 1.

During public participation, Margaret Bentley (applicant) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

          RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to refuse permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet. 

Proposal Description: Item 8: Erection of 2 self build dwellings.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full an update to the reason for refusal 1.

During public participation, Ashley Benfield spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to refuse permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet.

Proposal Description: Item 10: (amended plans) Change of use of the land from agriculture to equestrian. Erection of stable building, hardstanding and construction of manège

The application was introduced. A verbal update was provided at the meeting in respect of condition 2, noting that no planning numbers were contained within this condition previously. It was therefore requested that, should the application be permitted, the Chair give authority for the case officer to add more detail to condition 2 to specify the planting required. This was agreed by the Chair.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

          RESOLVED:

                     The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and           subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report                     and the verbal update above, subject to the following:

·       The rewording of condition 3 to require details of replacement planting to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The exact wording delegated to the Chair of Planning Committee in consultation with the Service Lead: Built Environment.

Proposal Description: Item 11: Variation of Condition 3 (external sound amplifying equipment) of application reference 22/00502/FUL for the approved timber garden building (amended condition wording; amended proposal). 

The application was introduced.  A verbal update was provided at the meeting stating that condition 3, in respect of the sound amplifying equipment be amended to remove the wording ‘or fixed to its north elevation’.

During public participation, Mark Sennitt (planning consultant speaking on behalf of local resident’s) spoke in objection to the application and Stuart Downie (applicant) spoke in support of the application and all answered Members’ questions thereon.  

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the verbal update above, subject to further amendments to condition 3 as follows:

·       To remove the wording ‘and each time shall last no more than 24 hours’; and

·       To remove the wording regarding the register ‘upon reasonable notice if requested‘ and replace with ‘shall be produced to the Local Planning Authority normally within two working days’.

Proposal Description: Item 12: Single storey rear extension (Amended Description/Plans).  

The application was introduced.  Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full an update to condition 2 to include an amended block plan.

During public participation, Amy Barker and Tim Barker spoke in objection to the application and Hessel Willemsen spoke in support of the application and all answered Members’ questions thereon.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet.

The Chair reminded the committee that this was that last meeting of the municipal year and her last meeting as Chair as she would not be standing for re-election in the upcoming elections in May after 28 years as a member on the council. The Chair thanked officers for their hard work and support during her time as a member of the committee. 

The committee thanked Councillor Evans for her contribution and dedication over many years, both during her time as Chair of the committee, and as a committee member and wished her well for the future.

The meeting commenced at 9.30 am, adjourned at 11.15am,

reconvened at 2pm and concluded at 4.25pm.

          Chair