Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 May 2016.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 May 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

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.

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.

The following Councillors attended under Standing Order 34:

Name                                      Item                            Application

Miss L Bambridge                   9/3(g)                           16/00329/CU

R Groom                                  9/3(n)                           16/00629/F

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.

To consider a report on the result of a recent Court of Appeal case, and the reinstated Government policy on affordable housing.

The Assistant Director presented a report which updated the Committee on the recent changes to national policy on affordable housing, as a result of the Government’s successful legal challenge to a previous High Court decision; this had led to a reinstatement of that affordable housing policy in the national Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).  It also sought delegated authority from the Committee to allow those applications that had a resolution to approve subject to a Section 106 agreement to be amended in line with the Government’s reinstated policy.

The impact of the Government’s policy in the Borough is that for sites of 5 dwellings or below, they would no longer be required to make any contribution to affordable housing, subject to them not exceeding the 1000 square metres floor space threshold.  For sites of 6-10 dwellings in the rural areas and in an AONB, other than in the settlements/parishes mentioned in 1.1 of the report, the Council would require a commuted sum towards the provision of affordable housing.  For sites of 11 and above, the normal affordable housing requirements would remain.  There was a 1000 square metre floor space threshold that was also in place, over which affordable housing in accordance with CS09 would be required, and this would need to be the subject of an additional condition on affected planning applictaions.

Councillor White declared an interest, as if the Committee approved the report, he could be affected by this.

Councillor Crofts asked whether developers could be required to make affordable housing contributions before the site was completed.  He added that affordable housing was needed in some areas but not others and asked whether it would be possible for money generated in that ward to be ring-fenced.

The Assistant Director explained that it would not be possible to ring-fence money for a particular ward and suggested that a training session on affordable housing be provided.  He added that affordable housing contributions were not left to the end, it was tried to get any contribution as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:   (1)        That Members of the Committee noted the result of the recent Court of Appeal case, and the reinstated Government Policy on affordable housing.

(2)        That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Environment & Planning/Assistant Director – Environment & Planning to ensure the Section 106 agreements currently being progressed are altered in line with the Government’s reinstated policy on affordable housing.

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, Geoff Hall (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) – (xvii) below, subject where appropriate to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal set out in the schedules signed by the Chairman.

(i)         15/02004/FM

            Heacham:  Former Petrol Station and R J Stainsby & Son Site, 45 Lynn Road:  Demolition of existing buildings and construction of Class A1 (Retail) food store together with access, car parking and landscaping and associated engineering works:  Lidl UK Gmbh

The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that the application had been deferred from the meeting held on 9 May 2016.  The applicant had submitted some clarification in relation to highway issues and an amended southern elevation.

Full planning permission was sought for the construction of a Lidl store with access, car-parking, landscaping and associated engineering works following the demolition of existing buildings, including a bungalow, at the former petrol filling station and R J Stainsby & Son site, Heacham.

Approximately half of the site was located within the existing and proposed development boundary with the remaining in land designated as countryside.

The site was accessed from the A149 (a Primary Corridor of Movement), on the opposite side of which was an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The site was located within Flood Zone as depicted on the Local Authority’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment maps.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as it had been deferred from the previous meeting.

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

·        Principle of development;

·        Highway safety;

·        Impact on residential development;

·        Drainage/Pollution;

·        Other material considerations.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Mr P Curtis (objecting), Mr T Parish (objecting on behalf of Heacham Parish Council), Catherine Saunders (supporting) and Mr Jim Budd/Mr N Hardy (supporting who shared the 5 minutes between them) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Councillor Storey arrived at 9.55 am and following advice did not take part in the debate for this particular application.

In response to comments made by the public speakers, the Principal Planner explained that the applicant did refer to the Heacham Inquiry but this application needed to be considered on its own merits.  In relation to the views made by the Norfolk Coast Partnership and Natural England he explained that these had been accurately reported.  The Norfolk Coast Partnership had stated that they wanted to see something better that would preserve the character of the countryside but did not raise an objection to the application.  He advised the Committee that they needed to make a decision on the merits of this particular application.  He also advised that the land on the opposite side of the A149 was in the AONB.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC8:a

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.