Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast;

2.         Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and

3.         the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should speak the webcasting officer.”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 24 October 2018.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 October 2018 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)          Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C C Pond declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being slightly acquainted with the family who was objecting. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/2019/18 – 229 Fencepiece Road, Chigwell

(b)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C C Pond declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being slightly acquainted with the applicants. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/2624/18 – 12 Albion Park, Loughton

(c)          Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being the next door neighbour as her house was to the rear of the application site. The Councillor had determined that she would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EP/1950/18 – Woodberrie, Kings Hill, Loughton

(d)          Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being acquainted with the applicants. The Councillor had determined that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/2624/18 – 12 Albion Park, Loughton

(e)          Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Neville declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being acquainted with the applicants. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/2624/18 – 12 Albion Park, Loughton

(f)        Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being the next door neighbour as his house was to the rear of the application site. The Councillor had determined that he would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EP/1950/18 – Woodberrie, Kings Hill, Loughton

(g)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing both the applicants and had worked extensively with the registered speaker on a professional basis. The Councillor had determined that he would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/2624/18 – 12 Albion Park, Loughton

(h)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor M Owen declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of living nearby and being a member of the Hills Amenity Society, which had objected to this application. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting thereon:

·           EPF/1950/18 – Woodberrie, Kings Hill, Loughton

(i)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Wixley declared a non-pecuniary interest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

It was reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

A Planning Policy Briefing Note (March 2018) has been produced by the Planning Policy Team to ensure that a consistent approach is taken to the provision of planning policy advice for the District, particularly in relation to the Epping Forest District Local Plan Submission Version, which was published on 18 December 2017.

The primary purpose of the Planning Policy Briefing Note is to inform the development management process and to provide assistance for Development Management Officers, Councillors, applicants and planning agents. The Planning Policy Briefing Note is available at:

http://www.efdclocalplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Planning-Policy-Briefing-Note_Mar-2018.pdf

It was noted that the Epping Forest District Local Plan Submission Version Planning Policy Briefing note was available at:

http://www.efdclocalplan.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/03/Planning-Policy-Briefing-Note_Mar-2018.pdf

(a)        Site Visits

To identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held with regard to any planning application listed in this agenda for consideration under Section (b) (Planning Applications) below, prior to consideration of the application.

This opportunity for members to identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held prior to consideration of a planning application is being operated on a trial basis from the commencement of the 2018/19 municipal year, until 30 November 2018. The success of this arrangement will be reviewed by the Constitution Working Group at the end of the trial period.

(b)       Planning Applications

To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule.

Background Papers:

(i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule. 

(ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

(a)          Site Visits

It was noted that the following formal site visit was requested by members, and agreed by the Committee, prior to the consideration and determination of the remaining applications:

·           EPF/2040/18 – 69 Church Hill, Loughton

(b)          Planning Applications

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

            RESOLVED:

            That the planning applications numbered 1 – 5 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee received a report regarding Probity in Planning – Appeal Decisions from 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018.

In compliance with the recommendation of the District Auditor, the report advised the decision-making committees of the results of all successful allowed appeals (i.e. particularly those refused by committee contrary to officer recommendation). The purpose was to inform the Committee of the consequences of its decisions in this respect and, in cases where the refusal was found to be unsupportable on planning grounds, an award of costs might have been made against the Council.

Since 2011/12, there were two local indicators, one of which measured all planning application type appeals as a result of committee reversals of officer recommendations (GOV008), and the other which measured the performance of officer recommendations and delegated decisions (GOV007).

Over the six-month period between 1 April 2018 and 30 September 2018, the Council received 58 decisions on appeals (53 of which were planning related appeals, the other 5 were enforcement related).

GOV07 and 08 measured planning application decisions and out of a total of 53, 11 were allowed and 1 was part allowed (22.6%). Broken down further, GOV07 performance was 7 (including 1 part allowed) out of 41 allowed (17.1%) and GOV08 performance was 5 out of 12 (41.7%).

Out of the planning appeals that arose from decisions of the Committee to refuse contrary to the recommendation put to them by officers during the 6-month period, 2 appeals were allowed and 3 were dismissed.

            RESOLVED:

That the probity in Planning report covering the period 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018 be noted.