Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bubb, Kirk and Sandell.

The Chairman thanked Councillors Bambridge, Blunt and Whitby for attending the meeting as a substitute.

Councillor Joyce had given his apologies for the site visits held earlier and would not be taking part in the discussion for those items.

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 1 July 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, Councillor Crofts.

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:

Councillors Bambridge and Bone declared that they were members of St Margaret’s and St Nicholas Forum, who had sent in a letter but they had not had any input into the letter.

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 pursuant to 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 and addressed the Committee:

Councillor A Ryves                  8/1(b) & 8/1(c)             19/00272/OM & 19/00274/OM

Councillor A Kemp                   8/2(c)                           19/01201/DM

Councillor D Pope                   8/2(j) & 8/2(m)             18/01957/F & 19/00475/O

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chair, Councillor Crofts reported that any correspondence received and 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 the 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 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) – (xvi) below, where appropriate, to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chair.

(i)         19/00597/FM

            Downham Market:  Land to the south of Prince Henry Place:  Proposed development of 19 no. 2 and 3 bedroom dwellings (including 4 no. affordable units) with associated garages/parking, access road, landscaping and open space:  Mr Bob Fidock

The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that the site (0.7 ha of former paddock land) was located within the development area of Downham Market at the head of Prince Henry Place.  It was bounded by residential development to the north (bungalows), east (bungalows) and south (chalet and houses), with school playing fields to the west.

The application sought full permission for the construction of 19 dwellings (including 4 affordable units), with associated garages/parking, access road, landscaping and open space.

The scheme showed a single vehicular access point serving the development off Prince Henry Place.  A central turning head was proposed with private drives leading off; most units had en-curtilage parking.   There would be 10 no two bedroom dwellings and 9 no three bedroom units.

It was explained that some Members might recall a similar application for 19 dwellings which was sought under application ref: 17/00581/FM which was refused (contrary to officer recommendation) in November 2017 and subsequently dismissed on appeal.  This application sought to address and negate the previous reasons for refusal.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination because of the previous appeal history and the officer recommendation was contrary to the views of the Town Council.

The Principal Planner then outlined the key issues for consideration when determining the application, namely:

·        Previous appeal decision;

·        Principle of development;

·        The effect on the character and appearance of the area;

·        The effects from noise and disturbance from construction works and occupation;

·        Highway issues;

·        Affordable housing provision;

·        Drainage; and

·        Other material planning considerations.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Mr R Jordan (objecting), Lennie Haslam (objecting), Town Councillor Horne (objecting) and Ian Hale (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In response to comments made by the public speakers the Principal Planner explained that:

·        In relation to the principle of development, the site was located within the development area of the town.  The principle of developing the site was therefore acceptable in planning policy terms.  Historically the site was allocated for residential development in the previous Local Plan and had a development brief.

·        With regards to noise and disturbance, the Planning Inspector when determining the appeal considered that no significant harm would be caused provided a suitable mitigation condition was put in place.  Conditions 10 and 12 had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC22:a

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

The Committee received Schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:   That, the reports be noted.

To provide the Committee with the quarterly report covering performance for the period 1 April 2019 – 30 June 2019.

The Committee was provided with the quarterly report covering performance for the period 1 April 2019 – 30 June 2019.

It was noted that for the section quarter of 2019, 17% of all appeals were allowed.  For the 12 month period to 30 June 2019 an average of 21% of all appeals were allowed.  This was below the 2017/18 national average figure of around 32% of all appeals allowed.

RESOLVED:   That, the report be noted.