Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Buck.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 February 2017.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 6 February 2017 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.

The following declarations of interest were declared:

·        In relation to application 16/01461/F, Heacham, Councillor T Parish declared that he was a member of Heacham Parish Council and had visited the neighbour who lived next to the site.

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.

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 the meeting commences.

There were no members present pursuant to Standing Order 34.

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the relevant officers.

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

A copy of the summary of relevant correspondence received since the publication of the agenda, which had been previously circulated, was tabled.  A copy of the summary 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 schedules of applications for planning permission submitted by the Executive Director for Planning & Environment (copies of the schedules are published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules are recorded in the minutes.

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

(i)         16/01461/F

            Heacham:  Cedar House, 45A The Broadway:  Construction of replacement workshop and store in builders’ yard at Cedar House:  Mr & Mrs M McGinn

The Senior Planner introduced the report and explained that the land was situated in designated countryside, on the south side of The Broadway, Heacham.  It was accessed via a 55m track, with entrance to the site opposite to Rolfe Crescent junction, approximately 125m west of the A149 junction.  The site formed a builder’s yard at 45a The Broadway, Heacham. 

The application sought to demolish the existing office, workshop and storage buildings and a storage greenhouse and construct a storage/workshop building with open plan office accommodation in the roof space.  One open ended storage building would be retained in situ.

The National Planning Policy Framework 2012, the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Core Strategy 2011 and the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Management Policies Plan 2016 were relevant to this application.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as it had been deferred from the February Planning Committee meeting to allow a nearby appeal decision to be considered in the context of this application.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, namely:

·        Principle of development;

·        Form and character and amenity;

·        Highways;

·        Other considerations;

·        Crime and disorder; and

·        Appeal decision – adjacent land.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Mr Michael Williamson (objecting on behalf of the Parish Council) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Concern was expressed that the proposal was detrimental in terms of height to the properties on Broadway.

Councillor Parish expressed concern regarding the application in relation to the development which was outside the development boundary and that the proposal was higher than the existing buildings.

The Assistant Director explained that there were businesses in the countryside.  There was currently a business on the site at the moment.  In relation to an issue raised that the neighbours would lose their view, the Assistant Director explained that there was no right to a view however the Committee needed to take into account whether the building was too high or had an overbearing impact on the neighbours.

In relation to whether there was an overlooking issue, the Assistant Director explained that at the rear there was a blank elevation facing the gardens. 

The Senior Planner explained the dimensions in relation to the gardens and the dimensions of the proposed outbuilding.

It was highlighted that on page 13 of the agenda, it did state that the total floor  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC88:a

To provide the Committee with the quarterly report covering performance for the  period 1 October – 31 December 2016.

The Committee received a report which provided an update on service performance for planning enforcement during the fourth quarter of 2016.

It was noted that the total number of live cases was 149 and 139 cases had been closed.  In addition, 14 formal notices had been served.

RESOLVED:   That, the report be noted.

To provide the Committee with the quarterly report covering performance for the period 1 October – 31 December 2016.

The Committee received a quarterly update report covering performance for the period 1 October 2016 – 31 December 2016.

The data showed that for the final quarter of 2016, 21% of all appeals were allowed.  For the 12 month period to 31 December 2016 an average of 17% of all appeals were allowed. This was well below the post National Planning Policy Framework national average figure of 36% of all appeals allowed.

RESOLVED:   That, the report be noted.

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

The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:   That, the report be noted.