14th September 2005 - Minutes

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2005

PRESENT:

Mr R W Thake – Chairman

Mr C W Arthey Mrs E F Bates Mr P K Beer Mr J C Brand Miss J J Chapman Mr A J Hinton Mr P J Holbrook

Mr D H Keane Mr C D Kerr Mr B L Lazenby Mr A E Pearce Mr J J Quinlan Mr D C Rose

Mr P Jones and Mr N MacMaster were unable to attend. 

45                SUBSTITUTE

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-

Mr J C Brand (substituting for Mr P Jones).

45                DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

None declared.

46                MINUTES

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record. 

45                PETITIONS

None received.

46                QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

None received. 

47               PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DETERMINATION BY THE COMMITTEE

Details of further objections and representations received in respect of Item Nos.1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 14 were reported to the meeting and were considered and taken into account before a decision was reached in each case. 

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for public speaking on planning applications representations were made as detailed below:-

Planning Application No.	Representations From
B/05/01049	Mr Blemings (on behalf of the Applicant)
B/05/01233	Mrs Lamb (Objector) Mr Whymark (on behalf of the Applicant)
B/05/00042	Mrs Lane (Objector) Mr Hills (Applicant)
B/05/01170	Mrs Witt (Applicant)
B/05/01078	Mrs Horsley (Objector) Mr Waterson (on behalf of the Applicant)
B/05/1343	Mr Mannering (on behalf of the Applicant)

Members requested that the Head of Planning (Control) re-negotiate the level of commuted payment to be secured from the applicant.

RESOLVED

Notwithstanding the Head of Planning (Control)’s recommendation of approval, subject to no objections being received by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, a motion of refusal was moved because Members considered the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring properties.

Members also expressed concern regarding slope instability and possible impact on traffic flow and parking. 

RESOLVED

That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

·                     Over-development of site, taking account of potential slope instability.

·                     Detrimental impact on amenities of neighbouring properties.

·                     Detrimental impact upon the character of the streetscene

(d)       EAST BERGHOLT               Application No. B/05/00042             Paper E126 – Item 7

Full Application – erection of 5 No. dwellings with layout of new vehicular access and paving area, the Beehive Public House, Gaston End.

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Head of Planning (Control) to grant planning permission, a motion to refuse planning permission was moved because Members were concerned that (a) a sustained marketing campaign had not been carried out and evidence had not been collected to demonstrate that the public house was not economically viable, (b) that the continuation of an employment use on the site was likely to give rise to significant problems and (c) there was no reasonable prospect of an employment use being continued on the site. 

Members also considered the proposal to be out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:-

·                     Contrary to Policy LP47 and emerging Policy EM15.

·                     Contrary to Policies LP17, LP18, HS12, HS14 and CN01.

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 1.25 p.m. and resumed at 1.55 p.m. when the following Members were present.

Mr R W Thake – Chairman

Mrs E F Bates Mr P K Beer Mr J C Brand Miss J J Chapman Mr A J Hinton Mr P J Holbrook

Mr D H Keane Mr C D Kerr Mr B L Lazenby Mr J J Quinlan Mr D C Rose

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

·                     Retail sales restricted to animal feeds.

·                     Display and sales to be confined to the building.

·                     As recommended by CHA.

·                     Materials used within development.

·                     Hours of working.

Notwithstanding the Head of Planning (Control)’s recommendation to approve planning permission, a motion to refuse planning permission was moved because Members considered the application to be over-development that would have a detrimental effect on the amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood. 

Members were also concerned about impact of the development on wildlife interests (bats) and considered that the application should be refused on the grounds of an absence of a comprehensive study to assess the impact and to determine any mitigating measures if appropriate.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

·                   Overdevelopment

·                   Potential unacceptable impact on nature conservation interests.

(g)       SUDBURY               Application No. B/05/1343             Paper E126 – Item 14

Full Application – erection of 2 No. infill extensions (including additional extruder plant), canopy and walkway structures and reconfiguration of access and parking areas, Nestle Purina (Northern Europe), Windham Road, Chilton Industrial Estate.

RESOLVED

That subject to no objection being received from Anglian Water, the Head of Planning (Control) be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:-

·                     Standard time limit condition.

·                     As recommended by the County Highway Authority.

·                     Any as required by Anglian Water.

·                     Implementation of submitted green travel plan.

(h)       POLSTEAD               Application No. B/05/01272             Paper E126 – Item 9

Full Application – variation of Condition 03 of planning permission B/88/0249 to allow the change of use of part unit 3 from Class B1 (motor vehicle repairs) to Class B8 (storage and distribution) for the storage and distribution of animal feed products with ancillary retail sales, Steps Farm, Rectory Hill.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

·                     Retail sales restricted to animal feeds.

·                     Display and sales to be confined to the building.

RESOLVED

That subject to there being no objections from the re-consultation period, planning permission be granted.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted.

(b)       SUDBURY               Application No. B/05/01469             Paper E126 – Item 10

Telecommunications – erection of 10m street furniture type installation with integrated antennae top and an adjacent cabinet, land adjacent Focus, Woodhall Business Park.

Notwithstanding the report relating to this item in Paper E126, the Head of Planning (Control) reported that despite the applicant’s offer of a smaller equipment cabin, no landscaping scheme had been submitted.

RESOLVED

That the Council’s prior approval be required for siting and design of the installation and that the approval be withheld for the following reasons:

·                    Open, prominent location – lack of adequate landscaping results in the proposal being unacceptable in siting and external appearance terms.

·                    Any as recommended by County Highway Authority.

·                    Contrary to adopted and emerging planning policy.

(c)        BILDESTON               Application No. B/05/01250             Paper E126 – Item 11

Full Application – erection of 15 No. dwellings.  Construction of new vehicular access, land adjacent to Artiss Close.

RESOLVED

(1)               That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to secure a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to:-

·                Ensure that the dwellings proposed are managed in such a way as to meet identified housing needs in perpetuity and;

·                Secure a commuted sum for the provision of play space equipment for the adjoining public open space land at Artiss Close, the north-eastern and southern boundary hedgerows and together with the provision of a commuted sum for their future maintenance (unless satisfactory alternative measures are proposed by the applicants).

 Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Head of Planning (Control) to grant listed building consent, a motion of refusal was moved because Members considered the proposal to have a detrimental impact on the character of the listed building.

53              REQUEST FOR A MINOR AMENDMENT TO PLANNING PERMISSION B/02/01882/FHA – REVISED ROOF DESIGN AND FENESTRATION PATTERN IN RESPECT OF THE ERECTION OF A TWO-STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND CONSERVATORY AS AMENDED BY DRAWING NO. CGC/A/002 RECEIVED ON 31 MARCH 2003 AND FAX DATED 10 FEBRUARY 2005 – COLES GREEN COTTAGE, CHATTISHAM ROAD, COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK

The Head of Planning (Control) submitted a report (Paper E130) advising Members that revised plans had been received showing an increase in the roof height of the conservatory part of the development and showing a different fenestration pattern to the conservatory which was approved. 

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Head of Planning (Control) to approve the revision as a minor amendment to B/02/01882/FHA, a motion of refusal was moved as Members considered the revised proposal to be out of character in relation to the rest of the house. 

RESOLVED

                 That the request for the proposed minor amendment to planning permission B/02/01882 in respect of revised roof design and fenestration pattern in respect of the erection of a two-storey rear extension and conservatory at Coles Green Cottage, Chattisham Road, Copdock and Washbrook be refused.

Note:   The meeting was adjourned between 11.00 a.m. and 11.20 a.m. for refreshments.

            The business of the meeting was concluded at 3.45 p.m.

                                    Chairman