Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She advised that the meeting was being recorded and streamed live on You Tube.

The Democratic Services Officer carried out a roll call to determine attendees.

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C J Crofts (Cllr Sampson sub), S Patel (Cllr Rose sub) and S Squire (Cllr Ryves sub).

The Chairman thanked the substitutes for attending the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on          and the Reconvened Meeting held on       .

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor appointed representatives on the Internal Drainage Boards are noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business under Standing Order 7 to report.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillor S Sandell

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the appropriate officer.

To receive the Schedule of Late Correspondence received since the publication of the agenda.

A copy of late correspondence received after the publication of the agenda which had been previously circulated, was tabled.  A copy of the agenda would be held for public inspection with a list of background papers.

The Committee is asked to note the Index of Applications.

The Committee noted the Index of Applications.

To consider and determine the attached Schedule of Planning Applications submitted by the Executive Director.

The Committee considered scheduled of applications for planning permission submitted by the Executive Director for Planning and Environment (copies of the scheduled were published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules were recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:  That the applications be determined, as set out at (i) – (v) below, where appropriate, to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the scheduled signed by the Chairman.

(i)               21/02421/FM

Watlington:  Land East of 2 Thieves Bridge Road:  Proposed development of 40 dwellings and associated external works and access

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The Senior Planner presented the report and advised that the application was located to the south of Thieves Bridge Road, to the southeast of the village of Watlington.  The site was currently arable agricultural land and was approximately 1.8 ha in size.

The site was allocated within the Site Allocations and Development Management Plan under Policy G112.1 for at least 32 dwellings.

The application was for the approval of 40 dwellings and associated external works and access.  All 40 dwellings were proposed to be affordable housing.  This was a full application with all matters under consideration.

The application had been referred for determination by the Planning Committee as the recommendation was contrary to Parish Council views.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Paul Newbold (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In response to questions from Councillor Rust on the number of people each home was designed to accommodate, etc the Senior Planning explained with regard to the bedroom sizes, the  scheme met standard minimum affordable housing room sizes.  The Borough Council’s Housing Enabling Team had raised no objections. In response to questions on who may occupy the dwellings, it was explained this would be for Freebridge Community Housing to consider in relation to their lettings policy.  The Senior Planner advised that the scheme was compliant with policy requirements in terms of sizes.

In response to further questions from Councillor Rust on the unadopted road and  shared surfaces, the Senior Planner explained it was the Council’s understanding that Freebridge Community Housing would maintain the landscaping and shared surfaces on the estate going forward.  With regard to a library contribution, the Senior Planner explained that Norfolk County Council had informed the Borough Council that contributions would be sought through CIL, for which there was a process and a gid could be made through the Community Infrastructure Levy. The Senior Planner explained that Norfolk County Council had advised that at the current time the local school was not full.

Councillor de Whalley commented that he concurred with the concerns raised by Councillor Rust in relation to the unadoptable road and added that he would prefer to see the road built to an adoptable standard.  Councillor de Whalley stated that he also agreed with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC37:a

To receive the Schedule of Planning Applications determined by the Executive Director.

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The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:  That the reports be noted.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings reminded the Committee that a training session had been scheduled for 22 September 2022 at 9.30 am.