Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements agreed by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-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 Sub-Committee meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2005 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors M Colling, A Green and Mrs S Perry declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of the applicant being a member of the Epping Forest District Conservative Party, and that the Councillors concerned had accepted hospitality from the applicant. The Councillors had determined that their interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

(i)            EPF/1943/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

(ii)            LB/EPF/1944/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

(iii)            EPF/2251/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping; and

(iv)            LB/EPF/2252/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping.

(b)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors R Glozier, Mrs A Grigg and D Stallan declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of the applicant being a member of the Epping Forest District Conservative Party. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

(i)            EPF/1943/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

(ii)            LB/EPF/1944/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

(iii)            EPF/2251/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping; and

(iv)            LB/EPF/2252/04 - Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping.

(c)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs S Perry declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of the Councillor having already expressed a view upon the application when Epping Town Council considered it. The Councillor had determined that her interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

(i)            EPF/2383/04 - London Underground Sub Station Site, Crossing Road, Epping.

(d)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs S Perry declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of the Councillor being a member of Epping Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

            (i)            EPF/113/05 - 44 Tower Road, Epping.

(e)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs A Grigg declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of the Councillor being a member of North Weald Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

(i)            EPF/2195/04 – Weald Hall Nursing Home, Weald Hall Lane, Thornwood, North Weald; and

(ii)            EPF/93/05 - 224 High Road, North Weald.

(f)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Glozier declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

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.

It was reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

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

The Head of Planning and Economic Development presented a report regarding the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order EPF/24/04 at 5 Coopersale Common, Coopersale, Epping. The Tree Preservation Order had been made to protect four trees at 5 Coopersale Common, Coopersale, Epping, as a result of a planning application to develop the plot that placed these trees under threat. They were considered important landscape features within the village street scene, contributed to the greening of the area and provided seasonal colour. The owners of the site had made an objection to the Order, but all the points made in the objection had been addressed by the Head of Planning and Economic Development.

The Sub-Committee were informed that the trees protected by this order were healthy, attractive specimens and formed a highly visible, established public amenity. The Council’s Landscaping Policy required that adequate provision be made for the retention of trees in such situations, and as these trees were under threat from the planning proposal, confirmation of the Order had been sought from the Sub-Committee.

            RESOLVED:

            That Tree Preservation Order EPF/24/04 be confirmed.

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

The Head of Planning and Economic Development presented a report concerning the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order EPF/32/04 on the land between 10 Ambleside and 7 Green Trees in Epping. The Tree Preservation Order had originally been made as a result of errors in the making of a previous order, which rendered the trees vulnerable to pruning, as these trees were considered important in softening and screening the boundary between properties. The owner of 10 Ambleside highlighted an inaccuracy in the plan for the Order, which showed one of the trees extending further along the rear boundary fence than it did in reality. This had been rectified on the revised plan, where all the protected trees were more precisely plotted, and therefore, in the absence of any other objections, the revised order could now be considered for confirmation.

            RESOLVED:

That, subject to the amendment of the location plan, Tree Preservation Order EPF/32/04 be confirmed.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:  (i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule.  (ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

            RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1-10 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of a Plans Subcommittee may be inspected in the Members Room or at the Planning and Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices, Epping.

The Sub-Committee noted that schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.

As this was the last meeting of the Sub-Committee for the current municipal year, the members thanked the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for their efforts, and the officers for their support. In turn, the Chairman thanked the Sub-Committee for their labours throughout the year.