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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 6^th July 2005 as correct record (attached).

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 6 July 2005 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the inclusion of a condition, raised at that meeting, relating to EPF/327/05 Crossways, 1 Middle Street, Nazeing, that the £6,000 contribution linked to the transport infrastructure be used specifically for the area of Nazeing.

(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, Councillor Mrs Borton declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/640/04 Abbey Mills, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey).  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the items.

(b)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs Brooks declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/640/04 Abbey Mills, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey), by virtue of being a member of the LVRPA.  The Councillor declared that her interests were prejudicial and indicated that she would leave the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(c)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Members Conduct, Councillor Mrs Lea declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (1) (EPF/146/04 Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey) and 7(2) (LB/EPF/ 145/04 Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey). The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the items.

(d)            Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Members Conduct, Councillor D Spinks declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (1) (EPF/146/04 Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey), 7(2) (LB/EPF/145/04 Holyfield Farm, Holyfield, Waltham Abbey) and 7 (4) (EPF/849/05 9 & 13 Arlingham Mews, Waltham Abbey). The Councillor declared that his interests were not prejudicial and indicated that he would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the items.

(e)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs Stavrou declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Woodbine Close Caravan Park), by virtue of being the member for that ward.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(f)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs Stavrou declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/640/04 Abbey Mills, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey), by virtue of being a member of the LVRPA.  The Councillor declared that her interests were prejudicial and indicated that she would leave the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

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.

Recommendation:

The Committee agree that the Section 25 agreement under the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act is no longer required, and that it be removed as an entry from the local land charges register.

The Site and Background:

Woodbine Close Caravan Park is located on an extensive area of land to the north west of the junction of Honey Lane and Woodgreen Road. On 30/8/1962 planning permission was granted for an enlargement of the caravan site. This consent was subject to a legal agreement between the owner of the site and the Council, which

a)      reserved an area of the site to be retained as a recreational area, and

b)   restricted the total number of caravans that could be kept on the site to 205.

Issues and Considerations:

After a problematic (local authority) property search, carried out on behalf of a prospective purchaser of a mobile home on the site, it has become apparent that in the last few years the recreational area, an area originally intended for children’s play, has been used for the stationing of an additional 5 mobile homes i.e. plots 14-18 The Lindens. However, this children’s play area is no longer required for this purpose because the whole of this site is now occupied by elderly people i.e. the site has in effect become a retirement park where children no longer reside. The Council’s Environmental Health group, who manage the site through a site licence, agree that this recreational area of land is no longer needed for children’s play.

As a result of the 5 additional homes being placed on this former recreational area the number of mobile homes on the site has increased from 205 to 209, and consequently the limit of 205 homes specified in the 1962 legal agreement has also been breached. Again the Environmental Health group have no objection to 209 homes being accommodated on the site. Additionally the current site licence administered by them restricts the number of homes to 209, and to produce a new legal agreement under the Planning Acts imposing a restriction to 209 homes would be an unnecessary duplication.

In the light of the above factors there is no merit in retaining this legal agreement and it is recommended that it be removed from the local land charges register.   

Woodbine Close Caravan Park is located on an extensive area of land to the north west of the junction of Honey Lane and Woodgreen Road. On 30/8/1962 planning permission was granted for an enlargement of the caravan site. This consent was subject to a legal agreement between the owner of the site and the Council, which

a)            reserved an area of the site to be retained as a recreational area, and

b)               restricted the total number of caravans that could be kept on the site to 205.

After a local authority property search, it has become apparent that in the last few years the recreational area, an area originally intended for children’s play, has been used for the stationing of an additional 5 mobile homes i.e. plots 14-18 The Lindens. However, this children’s play area is no longer required for this purpose because the whole of this site is now occupied by elderly people i.e. the site has in effect become a retirement park where children no longer reside. The Council’s Environmental Health group, who manage the site through a site licence, agreed that this recreational area of land was no longer needed.

As a result of the 5 additional homes being placed on this former recreational area the number of mobile homes on the site has increased from 205 to 209, and consequently the limit of 205 homes specified in the 1962 legal agreement has also been breached. Again the Environmental Health group had no objection to 209 homes being accommodated on the site. Additionally the current site licence administered by them restricts the number of homes to 209, and to produce a new legal agreement under the Planning Acts imposing a restriction to 209 homes would be an unnecessary duplication.

In the light of the above factors there was no merit in retaining this legal agreement and it was recommended that it be removed from the local land charges register.   

Recommendation:

The Committee agreed that the Section 25 agreement under the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act was no longer required, and that it be removed as an entry from the local land charges register.

(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, Planning applications numbered 1 – 6 be determined as set out in the annex 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 details of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated to all members and were available for inspection at the Civic Offices.