BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON WEDNESDAY 23 MAY 2007

PRESENT: Mr A J Hinton – Chairman

Mr C W Arthey Mr P K Beer Mr P Gibson Mr P J Holbrook Mr L S Johnson Mr R E Kemp Mr B L Lazenby

Mr D C Rose Mr R Smith Mr R W Thake Mrs C Todd Mr H N Todd Mr A Ward Mr D Warner

Mr P Jones and Mr D H Keane were unable to be present.

Quick Links

1    Substitutes
2    Election of Vice-Chairman
3    Declaration of Interests
4    Minutes
5    Petitions
6    Site Inspections
7    Planning Applications for Determination of the Committee

1     SUBSTITUTES

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, substitutes were in attendance as follows:-

Mr R E Kemp (substituting for Mr P Jones)

Mr H N Todd (substituting for Mr D H Keane)

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2     ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

The following Members were proposed and seconded:-

Mr C W Arthey

Mr P K Beer

RESOLVED

That Mr C W Arthey be elected Vice-Chairman of the Development Committee for the ensuing year.

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3     DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Mr R W Thake declared a prejudicial interest in Application No. B/07/0445 (Paper G6 – Item 10) by virtue of being a friend of the applicant. He also declared a personal interest in Application No. B/07/00441 (Paper G6 – Item 4) by virtue of being a member of Glemsford Parish Council, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.

Mr R E Kemp declared personal interests in Application Nos. B/07/00503 and B/07/00445 (Paper G6 – Items 5 and 10) by virtue of being a member of Alpheton and Long Melford Parish Councils and in Application No. B/07/00441 by virtue of being a member of Suffolk County Council, but indicated that his interests were such that he was able to speak and vote on the matters concerned.

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4     MINUTES

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2007 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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5     PETITIONS

None received

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6     SITE INSPECTIONS

RESOLVED

(1) That site inspections be held on Wednesday 30 May 2007 in respect of the under-mentioned sites prior to consideration of the applications by the Committee:-

FRESTON

Application No. B/07/00233

Change of use of agricultural land to provide additional car parking spaces

Application No. B/07/00234

Change of use of building from office/light industrial (B1) to offices with associated part time training use (D1)

Application No. B/07/00235

Variation of Condition 02 attached to Planning Permission B/02/02014 - change in office hours Estate Office, The Street, Freston.

Mrs S P Clarke (Ward Member for Berners) had requested a site inspection to enable Members to assess the impact of the proposal on residential amenity and traffic.

RAYDON

Application No. B/07/00068

Full Application – erection of two no. one and a half storey dwellings. Construction of new vehicular access, Noakes End, The Street.

Mrs S M Wigglesworth (Ward Member for Lower Brett) had requested a site inspection to enable Members to consider the impact on residential amenity and on the site of the proposed development.

(2) That a Panel comprising the following Members be appointed to inspect the sites:-

Mr P K Beer Mr P Gibson Mr A J Hinton Mr P J Holbrook Mr L S Johnson

Mr D H Keane Mr B L Lazenby Mr R W Thake Mrs C Todd Mr A Ward

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7     PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DETERMINATION BY THE COMMITTEE

Details of further objections and representations received in respect of Item Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 11 were reported to the meeting and were considered and taken into account before a decision was reached in each case. In accordance with the Council’s procedure for public speaking on Planning Applications, representations were made as detailed below:-

Planning Application No.	Representations From
B/07/00321	Mr Whymark (Agent/Applicant)
B/07/00370	Ms D Thomas (Applicant)
B/07/00441	Mr Slater (Objector)
B/07/00433	Mr Tyte (Representing Holton St Mary Parish Council) Mr Quale (Representing the Objectors) Mr Warner (Applicant)
B/07/00135	Mr Pratt (Representing Nedging with Naughton Parish Council) Mr Salisbury (Applicant)
B/07/00376	Ms A R Armitage (Objector) Mr D Pearce (Applicant)

RESOLVED

That subject to the imposition of conditions or reasons for refusal (whether additional or otherwise) in accordance with delegated powers under Council Minute No. 48(a) dated 19 October 2004, decisions on the items referred to in Paper G6 be made as follows:-

(a) PINEWOOD

Application No: B/07/00450 Paper G6 – Item 3

Full Application – erection of 5 no. detached two storey dwellings with attached garages and erection of 2 no. semi detached two storey dwellings with 1 no. attached garage, St Clare’s Church Centre, Belmont Road.

Mr L S Johnson (Ward Member for Pinewood) had requested a site inspection to enable Members to consider the visual impact of the proposed development, its density and the effect on protected trees on the site.

(b) ASSINGTON

Application No: B/07/00169 Paper G6 – Item 9

Full Application – erection of detached two storey dwelling with attached double garage, alterations to existing vehicular access, part side garden L’ecole, The Street.

Ms J A Jenkins (Ward Member for Leavenheath) had requested a site inspection to enable Members to assess the visual impact of the proposal on the village.

(c) LONG MELFORD

Application No: B/07/0445 Paper G6 – Item 10

Full Application – erection of 2 no. single-storey front extensions and 1 no. single-storey rear extension, 39 Sampson Drive.

Mr J C Brand (Ward Member for Long Melford) had requested a site inspection to enable Members to consider the impact of the proposed extensions in relation to overdevelopment of the site and loss of light.

RESOLVED

(1) That consideration and recommendations of the Chief Planning Control Officer contained in (a), (b) and (c) above be deferred.

(2) That site inspections be held on Wednesday 30 May 2007, that the Panel of Members appointed under Minute No. 6 above inspect the sites and that reports thereon be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee, if appropriate.

(d) HITCHAM

Application No: B/07/00321 Paper G6 – Item 1

Outline Application – Erection of 2 no. detached 2 storey dwellings (existing dwelling to be demolished) Wood View, The Causeway.

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Chief Planning Officer to grant Planning Permission a motion of refusal was moved as Members did not accept that the proposals met the efficient use of land (PPS3) and density requirements (HS27).

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be refused for the following reasons:-

• Contrary to Policies PPS3 and HS27 which seek to achieve a more efficient use of land without compromising the quality of the local environment.

(e) BRENT ELEIGH

Application No: B/07/00370 Paper G6 – Item 2

Full Application – erection of 2 no. cattle buildings and 1 no. storage building (following demolition of existing pole barns) Brook Farm, Cock Lane.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

• No floodlighting
• As recommended by CHA

(f) GLEMSFORD

Application No: B/07/00441 Paper G6 – Item 4

Full Application – erection of 13 no. dwellings, land rear of Patticroft, Crown Field Road.

RESOLVED

(1) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to secure a Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to provide a financial contribution towards the provision of public open space.

(2) That subject to the Planning Obligation referred to in Resolution (1) above being secured, the Chief Planning Control Officer be authorised to grant Planning Permission subject to the following conditions:-

• Materials
• Levels
• Landscaping
• Any as recommended by CHA
• Measures as recommended by AW in relation to foul drainage/control of flooding, to be in place before building commences
• Boundary treatment
• Obscure glazing to end gable window on first floor of Plot 9 (serving landing)
• Protection of reptiles as recommended by Suffolk Wildlife Trust
• Any required for control of surface water drainage

(3) That in the event of the Planning Obligation referred to in Resolution (1) above not being secured, the Chief Planning Control Officer be authorised to refuse planning permission for the following reason:-

• Inadequate provision of public open space and play equipment.

Mr R E Kemp voted against the above decision and asked for his vote to be recorded in the Minutes.

(g) ALPHETON

Application No: B/07/00503 Paper G6 – Item 5

Full Application – erection of 2 no. semi-detached dwellings and construction of new vehicular access, land south and east of Nos. 5 and 6 Bury Road.

RESOLVED

(1) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to secure a Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to provide for the dwellings proposed to be managed in such a way as to meet identified housing needs in perpetuity.

(2) That subject to the Planning Obligation referred to in Resolution (1) above being secured the Chief Planning Control Officer be authorised to grant Planning Permission subject to the following conditions:-

• Materials
• Levels
• As recommended by CHA
• Landscaping
• Boundary treatment

(3) That in the event of the Planning Obligation referred to in Resolution (1) above not being secured, the Chief Planning Control Officer be authorised to refuse Planning Permission for the following reason:-

• Proposals without the restrictions of occupancy (by way of a Section 106 Agreement) are tantamount to general needs housing in a countryside location contrary to the provisions of Policy HS04.

(h) HOLTON ST MARY

Application No: B/07/00433 Paper G6 – Item 6	Full Application – variation of Condition 5 attached to Planning Permission No. B/06/00095/FUL to allow 1) Minor washing of vehicles outside. 2) Minor maintenance of vehicles and equipment outside. 3) External parking of seed machines during normal working hours and overnight from July to October inclusive, Holton Place, Sandpits Lane.

During the Officer’s presentation, Members were advised that the Variation of Conditions application had been amended by the deletion of the element relating to grain equipment being cleaned down in a designated area.

Notwithstanding the recommendations of the Chief Planning Control Officer to grant Planning Permission for items (1), (2) and (3) of the Development description above, a motion was moved to refuse Planning Permission for reasons relating to the impact on residential amenity of dust, external lighting and noise. On being put to the vote the proposal to refuse was lost on the Chairman’s casting vote. A proposal to grant Planning Permission subject to conditions was then moved.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

• The external parking of two seed machines to be restricted to the area as highlighted on site layout plan TP/702-3
• Minor washing and maintenance to be restricted to those activities set out in the applicant’s supporting letter dated 9 March 2007.

(h) NEDGING WITH NAUGHTON

Application No. B/07/00135 Paper G6 – Item 7

Full Application – erection of two-storey and single-storey rear extensions Fidgetts Barn, Semer Road.

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Chief Planning Control Officer to refuse Planning Permission, Members did not accept that the proposed extensions would have an adverse impact on the character of the existing building and a motion to grant Planning Permission was moved.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be granted.

(i) EAST BERGHOLT

Application No. B/06/02056 Paper G6 – Item 8

Full Application – change of use of nursery to 1 no. dwelling including external alterations and erection of detached double garage, 56 Richardsons Road.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be granted subject to the following condition:-

Application No: B/07/00376 Paper G6 – Item 11

Full Application – erection of 1 no. detached 2 storey dwelling and detached garage, construction of new vehicular access, land north of Centuries, The Street.

RESOLVED

That Planning Permission be refused for the following reasons:-

• Inappropriate development outside of the built up area boundary
• Harmful to the open character of the countryside and its Special Landscape Area setting thereby contrary to the objectives of PPS3 and PPS7, policies ENV6 and ENV8 of the Suffolk Structure Plan 2001 and policies CN01, HS02, HS04, CR01 and CR04 of the Babergh Local Plan Alteration No.2 (2006)

Note: The meeting was adjourned between 11.10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. for refreshments.

The business of the meeting was concluded at 12.45 p.m.

Chairman

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