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 3 May 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, Mrs S Perry and C Whitbread 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:

·                    EPF/1943/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/1994/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/2251/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping; and

·                    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:

·                    EPF/1943/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/1994/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/2251/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping; and

·                    LB/EPF/2252/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping.

(c)               Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs S Perry and C Whitbread declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda for the meeting, by virtue of being a member of Epping Town Council. 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:

·                    EPF/106/05 – 17 St Alban’s Road, Coopersale, Epping;

·                    EPF/198/05 – Rear of 261 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/207/05 – Yeomans, Coopersale Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/208/05 – Yeomans, Coopersale Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/294/05 – Belle Vue, High Road, Epping;

·                    EPF/319/05 – The Garden House, High Road, Epping;

·                    EPF/415/05 – 85 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/482/05 – The Old Rectory, Coopersale Common, Coopersale, Epping;

·                    EPF/581/05 – 1 Boundary Court, Bell Common, Epping;

·                    EPF/763/05 – 181 Theydon Grove, Epping; and

·                    EPF/782/05 – 134/136 High Street, Epping.

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

·                    EPF/1943/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/1994/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/2251/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/2252/04 – Thatched House Hotel, 236 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/106/05 – 17 St Alban’s Road, Coopersale, Epping;

·                    EPF/198/05 – Rear of 261 High Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/207/05 – Yeomans, Coopersale Street, Epping;

·                    LB/EPF/208/05 – Yeomans, Coopersale Street, Epping;

·                    EPF/294/05  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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 Services presented the bi-annual Planning Appeals report and highlighted that there had been one appeal decision allowed by the Inspector following the Sub-Committee’s decision to refuse permission, contrary to officer’s recommendation. The Sub-Committee were further informed that the Council’s performance for the period was below last year’s exceptional performance but consistent with previous periods, and had exceeded the Best Value Performance Indicator as well as the national average.

            RESOLVED:

That the Planning Appeal Decisions for the period October 2004 to March 2005 be noted.

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

The Head of Planning and Economic Development presented a report regarding planning application EPF/365/04 – Queens Head Public House, 87 High Road, North Weald – which had been considered at the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 9 March 2005. The heading on the schedule for the meeting had described the development as the erection of ten residential units with associated access and parking, although the text of the report had referred to eleven dwellings and the plans displayed had shown eleven dwellings. The Sub-Committee had been informed at the meeting that the application was for eleven dwellings and granted permission for the development. Unfortunately, the incorrect heading was carried forward into the minutes, which were agreed as a correct record at the following meeting on 6 April 2005. Due to the need to enter into a legal agreement, the planning permission decision notice had not yet been issued and the Sub-Committee were requested to reaffirm their decision to grant planning permission for the erection of eleven dwellings.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2005, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record at the following meeting on 6 April 2005, be amended to correct a subsequently discovered inaccuracy as follows:

(a)            That the description of the proposal in respect of item 11 (EPF/365/04 – Queens Head Public House, 87 High Road, North Weald) in the Annex to the minutes be amended to read “Erection of 11 residential units with associated access and parking”.

(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/31/04 at 66A Bower Hill, Epping. The Order had been made to protect two Yew trees and a Red Horse Chestnut tree, as a result of a threat to the trees from potential redevelopment of the site. These trees had been considered important landscape features and had provided a significant contribution to the greening and tree-lined character of the area.

An objection to the Order had been received from the owner of 66A Bower Hill, on the grounds that the tree: appeared to not be in good health; shed branches onto the pavement and road, which posed a risk to property and persons; stood on raised ground, which was unsightly, and prevented the erection of a boundary wall or fence.

In response to the objections, the Head of Planning and Economic Development stated that: the tree had a deformation typical of the species but was not in serious decline; the danger posed by shed branches could be reasonably managed by pruning; the raised ground on which the tree stood was not necessarily unsightly in view of its location upon a hill; a small wooden fence or a natural barrier in the form of a suitable hedge could be erected. The Council’s Landscaping policy required that adequate provision be made for the retention of trees in such situations, and thus, confirmation of the Order had been sought from the Sub-Committee.

            RESOLVED:

            That Tree Preservation Order EPF/31/04 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 1-18 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.