Issue - meetings

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Committee noted a referral from the Council meeting held 5 November 2013, at which the committee had been asked to consider how often a planning objection by a Parish or Town Council had not been regarded as grounds for its report to a planning committee.

The committee noted that local council’s had been recently provided with advice as to what would constitute a valid planning objection, these being:

-           loss of view

-           negative effect on the value of properties

-           land ownership or restrictive covenants

-           applicant’s personal circumstances (unless exceptional such as relating to a physical disability)

-           business competition

-           matters controlled under building regulations or other non-planning legislation.  

Furthermore it was noted that there were very few examples of objections being ruled out of consideration as Parish and Town Council’s were aware or what constituted a material consideration.

Resolved:

That the circumstances that officers will report planning applications made under Appendix A (paragraph g) of Officer Delegation of Powers to Determine Planning Applications to planning committees be noted.

To consider the attached report.

Mover:            Councillor Wyatt, Vice Chairman of the Committee

Councillor Wyatt presented a report proposing revisions to the Scheme of Delegation to allow prior approval applications submitted as a result of the recent changes to permitted development rights to be determined by the Director of Planning and Economic Development with the Proper Officer making the consequential amendments to the Constitution.

Councillor Wyatt sort leave of the Council to amend paragraph g) of Appendix A ( Matters to be Determined by the Relevant Committee)to read;

“(g) Applications, including certificate of lawfulness in respect of existing use and development’ recommended for approval contrary to an objection from a local council which are material to the planning merits of the proposal.”

First Amendment moved by Councillor Watts and seconded by Councillor Knapman

“That paragraph (g) be removed from Appendix A (Matters to be Determined by the Relevant Committee) and that a protocol be drawn up and submitted to the District Development Control Committee for consideration on how the words ‘which are material to the planning merits’ should be determined..

                                                                                                                      Withdrawn

Second Amendment moved by Councillor Watts and seconded by Councillor Knapman

“That the District Development Control Committee conduct a review of the operation of (paragraph g) of Appendix A (Matters to be Determined by the Relevant Committee)taking account of how often a local council objection has been ruled out  of consideration on grounds of not being material to the planning merits.”

                                                                                                                             Carried

Report as amended including the amendment of the Vice Chairman ADOPTED

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the changes to officer delegation in respect of Council Development Control Functions underlined in Appendix 1 to these minutes be approved;

(2)        That the proper officer makes consequential amendments to the Constitution; and

(3)        That the District Development Control Committee conduct a review of the operation (paragraph g) of Appendix A as amended taking account of how often a Local Council objects has been ruled out as not being a material planning consideration.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Committee were asked to agree to extend the scheme of officer delegation to allow the Director of Planning and Economic Development to determine all prior approval applications types submitted following the recent changes to permitted development rights through the introduction of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013. Members also noted that two other minor changes had been made to the schedule regarding list buildings and to reflect the publication of applications in the weekly list.

Members agreed that the changes were acceptable but asked that ward members be consulted before decision in those prior applications cases where officers were minded to approve the application and a valid objection had been made.

Resolved:

That a report be submitted to Council recommending:

(1)        Approval of the changes to officer delegation in respect of Council Development Control Functions (as amended) as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes (changes underlined); and

(2)        The consequential amendment of the Constitution.