Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted 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 12 October 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 Mrs S Perry, C Whitbread and J M Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, 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/1471/05 – 13 Bower Hill, Epping; and

·                    EPF/1645/05 – 273-275 High Street, Epping.

(b)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs A Grigg, S Metcalfe, Mrs S Perry, D Stallan, C Whitbread and Mrs J H Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being an account holder with the Abbey National. 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/1645/05 – 273-275 High Street, Epping.

(c)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Glozier declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being a member of Theydon Bois Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                    EPF/1567/05 – 6 Graylands, Theydon Bois.

(d)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors M Colling, A Green, R Glozier, Mrs A Grigg, S Metcalfe, Mrs S Perry, D Stallan and C Whitbread declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of the applicant’s property adjoining a property of the local Member of Parliament, with whom the members were closely associated. The Councillors had determined that their interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                    EPF/1643/05 – 5 Avenue Road, Theydon Bois.

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.

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the Chairman permitted the Assistant Head of Planning and Economic Development to give the Sub-Committee an oral report in respect of possible enforcement action against the development of a golf course at Blunts Farm in Theydon Bois. The Chairman stated that it had been felt that the Sub-Committee should be updated about the latest developments now, rather than wait a further month for a formal report to be made.

The Assistant Head of Planning and Economic Development reported that despite regular site inspections, the Landscape Officer had been concerned that the levels of the landscaping had risen higher than had been agreed by the Council. The Council commissioned Stace Quantity Surveyors to undertake a levels survey. Their draft report was received on 13 October 2005 and indicated that the height and spread of material on the land had exceeded the approved plans. On 25 October 2005, Planning Officers wrote to the Developers to advise them that the Council intended to issue a Temporary Stop Notice, which would require the work to cease, and requested that the work be voluntarily stopped. The Developers responded that work would cease on the site from 4 November 2005 for two weeks, and Officers had since confirmed that work had indeed stopped.

On 4 November 2005, a meeting took place between Planning Officers and the Developer’s Agents, whereby the Council reiterated that there had been a breach of the planning conditions, for which there was no likelihood of planning permission being granted and that enforcement action would be authorised. In view of the requirement for further lorry movements to remove the excess materials that had been imported, the following compromise was offered: no more fill material to be imported; the material that had already been imported to be used to finish the landscaping; only sand and topsoil to be imported on to the site in future; and compensation to be sought in order to repair the damage that had been caused in Theydon Bois by the lorry movements. The Developers queried whether the agreed levels had actually been exceeded. Thus, Stace had been asked to produce cross-sections from their report for comparison with the approved plans, and the Developers had also been asked to supply base level drawings. The Assistant Head of Planning and Economic Development stated that the Council was confident that there had been a breach of planning conditions, and drawings were expected to be exchanged by Friday 11 November.

The Assistant Head of Planning and Economic Development reminded the Sub-Committee that Officers had delegated authority to serve a Stop Notice, or any other form of enforcement action that Legal Services may advise as the best course of action, such as an injunction. The Sub-Committee was reassured that if no agreement had been reached within the next fourteen days, or the importation of material was restarted by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

(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 – 4 be determined as set out in the attached schedule 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.