Agenda and minutes

This meeting is to be webcast and the Chairman will read the following announcement:

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

Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes. If any public speakers on MS Teams do not wish to have their image captured, they should ensure that their video setting throughout the meeting is turned off and set to audio only.

Please also be aware that if technical difficulties interrupt the meeting that cannot be overcome, I may need to adjourn the meeting.

Members are reminded to activate their microphones before speaking”.

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. The Sub-Committee noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee, in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission. The Sub-Committee noted the advice provided for the public and speakers in attendance at Council Planning Sub-Committee meetings.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor L Paine declared a non-pecuniary and personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being the Sheering Parish Council Chairman. The Councillor had determined that she would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·     EPF/0303/24/DOV – The Railway Hotel (now Rosina Court), Station Road, Sheering, Essex CM21 9LD

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 13 March 2024.

Councillor J Philip reported that the Minutes of 13 March 2024 (Minute no 65) did not include his or Councillor H Whitbread's Declarations of Interest, and requested the following amendments be included, to read:

a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor J Philip declared a non-pecuniary and personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·     EPF/0022/23 - 34, Crows Road, Epping, CM16 5DE

b)             Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor  H Whitbread declared a non-pecuniary and non-prejudicial interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·     EPF/0022/23 - 34, Crows Road, Epping, CM16 5DE

Councillor H Brady brought to the attention of the Service Manager (Planning Services), G Courtney, that application EPF/2578/22 referred to Homes Farm, Mount Road, Theydon Garnon, Epping CM16 7PH (Minute no 71) but in fact the name of the farm was "Hornes" Farm.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 13 March 2024 . subject to the amendments above, be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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 noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

To identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held with regard to any planning application listed in this agenda, prior to consideration of the application.

There were no formal site visits requested by the Sub-Committee.

To consider the attached report for the Deed of Variation to S106 Agreement attached to EPF/0864/15 (The change of use and adaption of the existing public house and associated hotel accommodation for residential use in addition to the provision of two new buildings to provide a total on site provision of two dwellings and twelve flats with associated parking and amenity areas).

Members discussed the planning merits of the proposed deed of variation, including the suggested amendment from the applicant and that put forward by the Planning officer.

Members determined to amend the existing legal agreement to read as follows (subject to confirmation from the Council’s Solicitors):

"Community Contribution” means the sum of fifty thousand pounds (£50,000.00) as a contribution to be spent by the Parish Council towards community projects for the benefit of the community of Lower Sheering.”

However, Members required this caveated as follows:

(1)           That the Parish Council explored other options to provide community space in Lower Sheering, including:

·       Seeking to partially change the use of a residential property.

·       Financial contributions from the nearby HGGT site (East of Harlow).

·       Financial contributions from allocation site LSHR.R1.

·       Approaching the Public Works Loan Board.

·       Seeking contributions from the Stansted Airport Trust

·       Ensuring that the community facility was included in the Councils IDP.

(2)           That the money must be allocated within 3 years from the date of the agreement for the provision of a community facility in Lower Sheering, otherwise the decision must be reported back to the relevant Planning Committee to determine alternative options for the use of the contribution.

Decision: the application for the Deed of Variation was approved.