Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“This meeting will be webcast live to the Internet and will be archived for later viewing. Copies of recordings may be made available on request.

By entering the chamber’s lower seating area you are consenting to becoming part of the webcast.

If you wish to avoid being filmed you should move to the public gallery or speak to the webcasting officer”

The Democratic Services Officer reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its 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 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 meetings.

(Director of Governance) To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Committee noted the following substitutions:

·         Councillor Shiell for Councillor Lea;

·         Councillor Stallan for Councillor Boyce;

·         Councillor Angold-Stephens for Councillor C C Pond; and

·         Councillor Surtees for Councillor J M Whitehouse.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor K Angold-Stephens declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of his Wife being the Chairman of the Loughton Town Council Planning Committee. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/1183/14   95 High Road, Loughton.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 13 August 2014 (attached).

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2014 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report for a proposed double storey rear extension including enlargement of existing basement and loft conversion with rear dormer windows (DEV-007-2014/15).

The Committee considered an application for a double storey rear extension including the enlargement of existing basement and loft conversion with rear dormer windows. This application had been considered by Area Plans Sub-Committee South on 6 August 2014 and had been referred to this Committee without recommendation.

The Assistant Director of Governance (Development Control) stated that the proposed development was for the erection of a two-storey rear extension including an enlargement of the existing basement and loft conversion with rear dormer windows. The proposed development was significantly revised from the four applications made since 2012, all of which had been refused. The flank wall nearest 97 High Road would be separated from that property by 200mm; the flank wall nearest 93 High Road would align with the existing upper level flank wall of that property and be a distance of 2.4m away. There were no new windows in the flank of the proposed extension. The enlarged basement would only be part of the width of the proposed extension and would adjoin the neighbouring property at 97 High Road. The basement was actually a lower ground floor area, directly accessible from the rear garden by a short stairwell. It was also proposed to have a 1.5m wide raised platform at the boundary with 97 High Road, approximately 1 m above ground level; a 1.8m high obscure privacy screen would be erected at the end of the platform on the site boundary with 97 High Road.

The Assistant Director reported that the main issues to consider were the consequences for the character and appearance of the locality and living conditions of the neighbours. One of the previous applications refused by the Council (EPF/1500/13) had been appealed by the Applicant. The appeal was dismissed on the grounds that the proposed side extension would significantly reduce the visual gap between the property and the neighbour at 93 High Road, which would harm the character and appearance of the street scene. In addition, the proposed flank bedroom window also counted against the proposal. The Inspector made a further five comments in relation to that application, and these formed a material consideration of significant weight when considering this application.

The Committee noted the summary of representations, and that the Town Council had objected to this application and had described the receipt of a fifth application for the site as vexatious. Four neighbours had objected to the application, both the neighbours at 93 and 97 High Road, plus two adjoining properties in Algers Mead which were located at the end of the Applicant’s rear garden.

The Committee heard from an Objector and the Applicant before proceeding to debate the application.

Concerns were expressed by the Committee that the roof-line of the extension should not be higher than the adjoining roof-lines, and a proposal was put forward for this to become an extra condition. The Assistant Director reassured the Committee that the Council would take enforcement action if the roof-line at 95 High Road was built higher than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Committee noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration.