Agenda and minutes

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

2.         The Chief Executive 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 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 Assistant to the Chief Executive 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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 6 April 2010 (attached).

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2010 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The following substitutes were noted:

Councillor J Knapman for Councillor J Hart

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors B Sandler, J Knapman, K Chana, and G Mohindra declared a personal interest in item 8 of the agenda (EPF/2361/09 – Site at 212 Manor Road, Chigwell) by virtue of being local Parish Councillors. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution 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.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee.  Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required.

There was no further business for consideration at the meeting.

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

The Committee considered an application referred to it by Area Planning Subcommittee South with a recommendation that permission be granted for the redevelopment of land at 212 Manor Road, Chigwell to provide 21 flats, 80% of which being affordable housing. The subcommittee had felt that the application put forward special circumstances to merit departure from Metropolitan Green Belt policy and the development plan. The special circumstances were (i) its sustainable location opposite a tube station and bus routes; (ii) the level of affordable housing proposed; and (iii) the site was previously developed land.

Members heard from an objector to the proposals.

The Committee concurred with the view of the Subcommittee and considered that the proposed development fitted the Streetscene in the road and had minimal impact on the Metropolitan Green Belt as the site was screened. Members were persuaded by the argument of its sustainable location and proposals for affordable housing.

Officers suggested an additional condition to ensure the provision of the underground parking scheme and heads of term of a proposed legal agreement which were agreed by members. It was noted that the application would need to be referred to the Government Office as a departure from the development plan.

Resolved:

That planning application EPF/2361/09 at the Garden Centre 212 Manor Road, Chigwell be granted subject to:

(a)        The applications referral to the Government Office for the East of England as a Departure from the Development Plan;

(b)        The prior completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and County Planning Act within 9 months of the date of the resolution to grant planning permission to secure the following:

•           The development is not to be commenced until the access road (which is subject to approval under planning application EPF/1399/09 relating to the adjacent site) has been constructed to an agreed standard;

•           The amount, tenure, delivery and occupancy of the affordable housing;

•           Provision of a financial contribution towards street lighting improvements within the vicinity of the site and the provision of public transport vouchers to the future occupants of the dwellings;

•           Provision of a financial contribution towards school places within the local area; and

•           Provision of a financial contribution towards the re-opening of a Post Office facility in Manor Road. 

(c)        The permission being subject to the following planning conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted must be begun not later than the expiration of five years beginning with the date of this notice.

Reason: To comply with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

2.         Details of the types and colours of the external finishes shall be submitted for approval by the Local Planning Authority in writing prior to the commencement of the development, and the development shall be implemented in accordance with such approved details.

Reason:- To ensure a satisfactory appearance in the interests of visual amenity.

3.         All construction/demolition works and ancillary operations (which includes deliveries and other commercial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The Committee gave consideration to an application for the subdivision of an existing pitch at Tylers Cross Nursery, Epping Road, Nazeing to provide 2 additional pitches for Gypsy/Traveller occupation and the use of an existing building as a day room.

The Committee noted recent letters from the Government minister giving notice of the abolition of regional strategies and its effect on the determination of these applications.

The Committee noted that the site had been at the location for a long time and the proposals had no impact on the character of the Metropolitan Green Belt. The officers suggested a further condition regarding the pitch boundaries which was accepted by members.

Resolved:

That planning application EPF/1893/09 at Tylers Cross Nursery, Epping Road, Nazeing be granted subject to the following conditions which correlate directly with those attached to the original consent:

(1)        The use hereby permitted shall be carried on only by the children of Mr Breaker and their dependants;

(2)        No more than one lorry parking space per pitch shall be provided and no such space shall be used for parking a Heavy Goods Vehicle. Subject thereto, no part of the development hereby permitted shall be used for any business or open storage purposes

(3)        The number of mobile homes/caravans per pitch hereby permitted shall be limited to two, one of which shall be a touring caravan;

(4)        The day room use hereby permitted shall not at any time be used as sleeping accommodation or occupied as an independent unit; and

(5)        Before the development hereby permitted commences, details of pitch boundaries, including any demarcation such as fencing etc, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The details as agreed shall be implemented onsite before the first occupation of the new pitches and maintained thereafter unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Reason: To safeguard the openness of the Green Belt and in the interests of the amenities of future occupiers.

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

The Committee gave consideration to an application for the subdivision of an existing pitch at Tylers Cross Nursery, Epping Road, Nazeing to vary condition 3 of EPF/0960/98 which had been allowed on appeal. The variation sought alterations to pitch boundaries and siting of 3 additional mobile homes/caravans.

The committee granted the application which had the effect of altering the previously granted permission and concurred with the application considered under the previous item.

Resolved:

That planning application EPF/1892/09 at Tylers Cross Nursery, Epping Road, Nazeing be granted which has the effect of varying condition (3) of EPF/0960/98 to read:

“(3)      The number of mobile homes/caravans per pitch hereby permitted shall be limited to two, one of which shall be a touring caravan, with the exception of the extended pitch known as Springfields which may be limited to five mobile homes/caravans, of which at least two shall be a touring caravan.”