Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Anota and Everett.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes from the meeting held on 3^rd November 2025.

The minutes from the meeting held on 3 November were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Chair 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 a decision on that item is taken.

The follows Members attended under Standing Order 34:

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

The Chair reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the appropriate officer.

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

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

The Committee is asked to consider and determine the attached Schedules of Planning Applications submitted by the Assistant Director.

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

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

(i)              25/01520/F

Burnham Market:  11 Walkers Close, Creake Road:  Self-Build:  Demolition of existing semi-detached dwelling.  Erection of new four-bedroom two storey dwellinghouse (use class C3) attached to neighbouring property.  Erection of a single storey ancillary garage with associated landscaping and boundary treatment:

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The case officer introduced the report and advised that the application sought full planning permission for the demolition and subsequent replacement of a semi-detached dwellinghouse at 11 Walkers Close, Creake Road, Burnham Market.  The proposed dwelling would be a self-build and custom dwelling.

The proposal would see the replacement being constructed on an extended footprint with a wider two storey element with front, side and rear single storey extensions.

The proposal had been amended to remove a proposed garage to the front of the dwelling.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination at the request of Councillor Sandell.

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, Amy Nelligan (objecting) and Thomas Faire (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Sandell addressed the Committee and outlined her concerns to the application.

The Chair made reference to the emails sent by Councillor Ryves over the weekend, and asked Councillor Ryves if he considered that he had predetermined the application.

Councillor Ryves explained that in his first email, he had asked for a legal opinion on human rights and in the second email he advised that he had not formed any opinion yet.  He suggested that the application should be deferred until legal advice had been received in relation to human rights from the Council’s Legal Advisor.

The Council’s Legal Advisor explained the Council's duties under the Human Rights Act and public sector equality duty, confirming that the age and vulnerability of the neighbours were relevant protected characteristics. Members were advised to consider whether the interference with neighbours' rights was proportionate and whether conditions could adequately mitigate impacts.

Councillor Mrs Spikings expressed concern relating to the removal of the semi-detached dwelling leaving an internal wall of 9 inches thick with no damp proofing with the winter months approaching, which would be to the detriment to the neighbours, and having a 3-year time period to carry out the works. She asked whether permitted development rights could be removed.

Councillor Ryves stated that he was pleased to hear the response from the Council’s Legal Advisor, and what  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC74:

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.

The Arboricultural Officer presented a six-month monitoring report on tree work applications and demonstrated improvements to the Council's public-facing website for tree protection. The Committee also discussed notification processes, replacement duties, and recent incidents involving dangerous trees.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.