Agenda and minutes

Resolved:

That Councillor R Morgan be appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Committee for the duration of the meeting in the absence of Councillor Wyatt.

It was noted that Councillor G Chambers was substituting for Councillor J Wyatt and Councillor S Watson was substituting for Councillor H Kane at the meeting.

Councillor J Knapman declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 (Valley Grown Nurseries, Paynes Lane, Nazeing) by virtue of being a substitute appointee of the Council to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. As he had never attended a meeting he indicated that he proposed to stay in the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 19 February 2014 (attached).

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2014 be taken as read and signed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of Councillor G Waller as being present as a substitute at that meeting.

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

The Committee gave further consideration to a major application for a glasshouse extension at Valley Grown Nurseries in Paynes Lane, Nazeing. An application at the site had previously been considered by the Committee at its meeting on 24 August 2011.

The application sought the extension of existing nursery by the construction of a 92,065 m2 horticultural glasshouse including service area, product area, staff facilities and an office area.

It was noted that the previous application had been subject to appeal, which whilst upholding members decision at that time to reject the application, the inspector had not agreed that the development would cause harm to neighbouring properties.

The committee noted the main issues for consideration, being impact on the green belt, impact on the landscape, wildlife and on the regional park, highways impact, residential impact, flooding and employment.

During the debate the Committee heard from speakers representing the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority, Objectors, Nazeing Parish Council and the Applicant.

Members considered the application issues, particularly relating to the introduction of the NPPF subsequently after the previous refusal and the views of the planning inspector.

The committee considered the application a balanced one but took into account the need for locally source produce, the beneficial employment position resulting from the development, the incomplete Local Plan evidence base and the need to set aside sufficient glasshouse areas. It was noted that highways and flooding issues had now been addressed. The Committee concurred with the view of officers that the application should be granted subject to a unilateral planning obligation relating to subdivision or the site, removal of used buildings on the site and creation of a wildlife habitat within the site and planning conditions as amended by the planning officer at the meeting.

Resolved:

That planning application EPF2350/13 at Valley Grown Nurseries, Paynes Lane, Nazeing be granted subject to:

(a)        A unilateral planning obligation to secure:

(i)         Prevention of the development from being divided or segmented whereby any third party could own or operate any part of the glasshouse.  This would prevent the possibility of the site being utilised by several different businesses that would lead to potential for significantly increased traffic movements.

(ii)        Require the owner to dismantle and remove any building from the site that is not utilised for production within 1 year of its use ceasing, and to reinstate the land to a specification to be agreed with the Council to remove foundations and to a condition suitable for agricultural use within 2 years of the proposed development permanently ceasing production.  This is required to ensure that there is no risk of the site becoming derelict in the future, as previous glasshouse sites have.

(iii)       The creation and maintenance of a long term wildlife habitat area on the lake and adjacent area, including, provision of an outdoor classroom and information boards, working with appropriate community and ecology groups to complete a programme of planting, creating and agreeing an ongoing landscape management plan and creating the new landscape  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

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

The Committee considered an application for a block of  flats on the former site of an electricity substation in Station Way, Buckhurst Hill which had been referred to the committee by Area Planning Subcommittee South at its meeting on 5 March 2015. The application had been referred with no recommendation, The committee therefore considered the application afresh.

The committee heard from an objector, the local Parish Council and the applicants agent.

The Committee concurred with the view of officers that the application was of acceptable design and granted the proposal subject to local members and the parish council being consulted over the final finishes to the building and the landscaping scheme.

Resolved:

That planning application EPF/2696/13 at the Former Electrical Substation, Station Way, Buckhurst Hill be granted subject to the following conditions:

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

2          No construction works above ground level shall take place until documentary and photographic details of the types and colours of the external finishes have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority, in writing. The development shall be implemented in accordance with such approved details.

3          The development hereby permitted will be completed strictly in accordance with the approved drawings nos: FBE_010; FBE_100 rev. A; FBE_101 rev. A; FBE_102 rev. A; FBE_103 rev. A; FBE_104 rev. A; FBE_200 rev. A; FBE_201; FBE_210 rev. A; FBE_211 rev. A. 

4          No development shall take place, including site clearance or other preparatory work, until full details of both hard and soft landscape works (including tree planting) and implementation programme (linked to the development schedule) have been submitted to an approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These works shall be carried out as approved. The hard landscaping details shall include, as appropriate, and in addition to details of existing features to be retained: proposed finished levels or contours; means of enclosure; car parking layouts; other minor artefacts and structures, including signs and lighting and functional services above and below ground. The details of soft landscape works shall include plans for planting or establishment by any means and full written specifications and schedules of plants, including species, plant sizes and proposed numbers /densities where appropriate. If within a period of five years from the date of the planting or establishment of any tree, or shrub or plant, that tree, shrub, or plant or any replacement is removed, uprooted or destroyed or dies or becomes seriously damaged or defective another tree or shrub, or plant of the same species and size as that originally planted shall be planted at the same place, unless the Local Planning Authority gives its written consent to any variation.

5          No development, including works of demolition or site clearance, shall take place until a Tree Protection Plan and Arboricultural Method Statement in accordance with BS: 5837:2005 (Trees in relation to construction) has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

It was noted that there was no additional business to be considered at this meeting.