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. (attached)

            RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2011 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.

It was noted that Councillor Knapman was substituting for Councillor Hart, Councillor Lea was substituting for Councillor Watson and Councillor McEwen was substituting for Councillor Wyatt.

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

(a)       Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Lea declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (planning application EPF/0116/11 – Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a member of Waltham Abbey Town Council.  The councillor advised that she had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting on the matter.

(b)       Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Lea declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 (planning application EPF/0046/11 – Town Mead Sports and Social Club, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a member of the Waltham Abbey Town Council.  The councillor advised that she had determined that her interest was prejudicial and that she would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting on the matter.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Bassett declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (planning application EPF/0116/11 – Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of having bought eggs from the farm.  The councillor advised that he had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting on the matter.

(d)       Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Ulkun declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (planning application EPF/0116/11 – Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of having previously expressed a potential interest in a converted building on the site.  The councillor advised that he had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting on the matter.

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.

The Committee noted that there was no business to be considered under this heading.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider the attached report referred from Area Planning Subcommittee West.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition and removal of existing masonry and corrugated structures and refurbishment and extension of existing timber barns and conversion to a total of two, 2 bedroom dwellings (revised application) at Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey.

Members noted that the application had been considered and referred by Area Plans Sub-Committee West with a recommendation that planning permission be granted.  The Committee noted that the report to the Sub-Committee had carried a recommendation from officers to refuse planning permission.  The debate at the Sub-Committee meeting had centred on the recommended reasons for refusal and the harm that the proposal might have on the Green Belt, residential amenity of adjacent occupants, the setting of the adjacent listed building and sustainability issues.  In addition, as members had been minded to approve the scheme, the highway implications of the proposed hedge planting along the front boundary of the site had also been considered.

The Committee was advised that the Sub-Committee had considered that the circumstances of the site, particularly the poor state of the existing building on the site that was to be removed, the quality of the existing barn conversion on the adjacent site and the need to find a use for redundant farm buildings were sufficient to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt that would result from the development.  The Sub-Committee had considered that the design of the development was appropriate to its location and that it would in fact enhance the setting of the listed buildings.  Members had not considered that the sustainability issue was so strong as to warrant refusal of the application.  Discussion regarding the sight lines from the access and the impact of a hedgerow had been inconclusive, and members of the Sub-Committee had asked that further clarification on the issue should be presented to this meeting.

            RESOLVED:

            That planning application EPF/0116/11 for the demolition and removal of existing masonry and corrugated structures and refurbishment and extension of existing timber barns and conversion to two, 2 bedroom dwellings (revised application) on land at Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey be granted subject to the following conditions:

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

(2)        Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995 as amended (or any other order revoking, further amending or re-enacting that order) no development generally permitted by virtue of Part 1, Classes A, B, C, D, E or F shall be undertaken at either of the approved dwellings without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

            (3)        Notwithstanding the details shown on the approved plan, the hedge shown to be planted along the highway frontage, or any other obstruction, shall not be over 600mm high within the existing sight splay of 2.4m by 110m to the north of the access as measured from the centre line of access and along the nearside edge of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The Committee considered an application referred to it by Area Plans Sub-Committee West seeking permission for a proposed golf driving range (revised application).  Members noted that the application had been referred to this Committee by the Sub-Committee with no recommendation.  The application had been reported to the Sub-Committee with a recommendation of refusal for the reason that the proposed development would result in the loss of a woodland area of amenity value.  Members noted that the Sub-Committee had debated the merits of the proposal but had felt that further information was required in respect of the trees and the possibility of golf balls being driven on to the M25 motorway.

The Assistant Director (Development Control) reported that since the meeting of the Sub-Committee amended plans had been submitted which had overcome the officer concerns. The amended plans had been subject to full re-consultation. The driving range had now been set at an angle of approximately 8 degrees to the Town Mead boundary with the motorway which would allow for a 12 metre landscaped strip between the driving range and the motorway boundary at its closest point and a 40 metre gap at its furthest point.  This would allow for part of the woodland preserved by the Committee at its previous meeting to be retained along with additional landscaping to be planted to better screen the entire Town Mead site from the motorway.

The Committee noted that despite two rounds of consultation, the Highways Agency had not submitted any response.

            RESOLVED:

            (1)        That consideration of application EPF/0046/11 for a proposed golf driving range (revised application) on land at Town Mead Sports and Social Club, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey be deferred to enable officers to obtain a risk assessment from an appropriate body on the likelihood of golf balls being driven onto the M25 motorway and additional information about the impact of the proposed lighting on the motorway; and

            (2)        That further consideration be given to the planning application at the next meeting of the Committee.

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

The Committee considered a report on the current position regarding the numbers of authorised and unauthorised (including tolerated) pitches within the District and on what further action, if any, should be taken in relation to five sites with unauthorised and tolerated pitches.

Attention was drawn to the Department of Communities and Local Government consultation on “Planning for Traveller Sites” which had been considered by the Planning Services Scrutiny Panel on 14 June and by full Council on 28 June 2011.  Members noted that the changes being proposed by the Government included replacing existing circulars with one Planning Policy Statement which would (a) have the overriding aim of ensuring fair treatment for those in traveller and settled communities; (b) align Gypsy Roma Traveller pitch provision more closely with guidance in Planning Policy Statement 3 which dealt with permanent housing provision; (c) enable local planning authorities to make their own assessment of need for the purposes of planning; (d) limit the opportunities for retrospective planning applications in relation to any form of development; and (e) ask local planning authorities to treat favourably Gypsy Roma Traveller pitch applications for temporary permission in the absence of an identified five year supply of such sites.

The Committee received details of records kept by the Environment and Street Scene Directorate (caravan counts and site licences) and the Planning and Economic Development Directorate (planning application and appeal decisions).  Analysis of the combined records showed that in July 2010 the unauthorised percentage of total caravans had been 31% whereas in January 2011 the unauthorised percentage of total caravans had been reduced to 16%.  This reduction had been primarily due to the permanent permission (on appeal) being granted for the Holmsfield Nursery site in Meadgate Road, Nazeing.  Members noted that the increase in the number of authorised pitches, with the consequent reduction in the number of unauthorised caravans, had been linked to an increase in planning applications from the Gypsy Roma Traveller community and this in turn had been linked to the public consultation exercise undertaken between November 2008 and February 2009 in relation to the Development Plan Document required by the previous Government’s Direction.

The Committee noted that officers had hoped that the remaining unauthorised or tolerated sites would be the subject of future applications to enable the Council to reach decisions on all of the outstanding cases. However, this had not yet been achieved and the Committee were asked to consider what future action, if any, should be pursued in relation to the five sites with unauthorised and tolerated pitches.  The Committee discussed the circumstances of the five sites.

            RESOLVED:

            (1)        That the current position regarding the numbers of authorised and unauthorised (including tolerated) pitches within the District be noted;

            (2)        That in relation to Devoncot, Carthagena Estate:

            (a)        the occupants be given one further final period of three months in which to submit a planning application for the stationing of three caravans on the site; and

            (b)        in the event of an application not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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

The Committee was informed that a revised policy document dealing with the highway and transport aspects of new development had recently been adopted by Essex County Council as County Council Supplementary Guidance.

The Committee noted that the policies reflected the balance between the need for new housing and employment opportunities, the regeneration and growth agenda, and protection of the transport network for the safe movement of people and goods.  The document was split into the following five sections:-

(a)        Highway access policies aimed at protecting the safety and efficiency of the highway network;

(b)        Broad design standards policies cross referenced to other design documents;

(c)        Accessibility and transport sustainability policies aimed at minimising the number of journeys by private motor vehicles;

(d)               Impact and migration policies identifying the requirement on a developer to provide, where necessary, transport assessments, safety audits, and to demonstrate no detrimental impact on congestion on the highway, mitigation measures and maintenance contributions;

(e)               Policies regarding HGV movements and construction management.

Members were informed that Planning Policy Statement 12:  Local Spatial Planning referred to supplementary guidance produced by County Council.  It stated that such guidance would not be a supplementary planning document but that where appropriate consultation and sustainability appraisal had been carried out, the supplementary guidance might be afforded a weight commensurate with a supplementary planning document in decision making.  It was recognised that this would be more likely where the supplementary guidance had been endorsed by the District Council.  The Committee were advised that the County Council policies had been the subject of a full public consultation exercise, together with a sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment.

            RESOLVED:

            That a report be submitted to the Council recommending the adoption of the Development Management policies as supplementary guidance.