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 25 January 2006 as a correct record (attached).

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 25 January 2006 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 Stavrou and Mrs P Brooks declared personal interests in agenda items 6 (EPF/640/04 Abbey Mills, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being members of the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority.  The Councillors declared that their interests were not prejudicial and indicated that they 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 S Stavrou declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (5) (EPF/2208/05 The Coach House, Wyldwoods, Woodgreen Road, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a member of Waltham Abbey Town Council.  The Councillor declared that her interest was not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in 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.

Subject: 

Planning application EPF/640/04 – demolition of exsiting building and erection of 1 three storey block containing fifteen flats and 192sq metres of B1 floorspace and 1 two storey block containing six flats with associated access, parking and amenity space.  At Abbey Mills, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey.

Recommendation/Decision Required: 

That members consider amending the requirements of the legal agreement imposed when the application was originally considered in August 2005. Namely in respect of drainage issues and how vehicles exit from the site.

Report:

Members will recall that this application was considered back in August 2005 at which time it was agreed to grant planning consent subject to conditions and subject to the applicants first entering into a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act.

The legal agreement considered necessary by Members contained two aspects, which it is now considered should not be a requirement of granting consent.

The first of these was originally suggested by the case officer following advice from Thames Water that they did not know whether the capacity of the sewerage system in the locality was sufficient to meet the demand that the new development would place on it, and it required the applicants to:

 Investigate the ability of the existing sewerage system to dispose of the foul and surface water for this development and in the event that these investigations show that there is insufficient capacity available to secure the provision of adequate foul and surface water drainage in consultation with the sewerage undertaker for the whole of the development prior to the commencement of the development, such drainage shall be secured where appropriate by means of a public sewer requisition pursuant to Section 98 to 101 of the Water Industry Act 1991

Since the decision, the applicants have provided additional information to Thames Water and they (Thames Water) have carried out their own further investigation and have confirmed that they are now satisfied that the existing sewerage infrastructure is adequate for the proposed development. 

There is therefore no longer a need for this to form part of the legal agreement.

The second element was required by Members at the Committee meeting as a result of disquiet about the safety of vehicles turning right out of the site, and required the applicants to:

‘Carry out a safety audit and traffic impact assessment on the impact of traffic turning right out of the site.  Should it be demonstrated to be necessary, submit, for approval to the Local Planning Authority proposals for restricting vehicles from turning right out of the site onto Highbridge Street and provide for the implementation of the approved scheme at no cost to the Highway Authority prior to the first occupation of the flats.’

Since the decision to include this as part of the legal agreement, the applicants have been in liaison with Essex County Council Highways.  County highways have taken into account the position of the access close to the roundabout and the pedestrian crossing, but have to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 64.

The Sub Committee considered amending the requirements of the legal agreement imposed when the application was originally considered in August 2005. Namely in respect of drainage issues (which had now been satisfied) and how vehicles exit from the site.

Since this item was last considered, Essex County Council Highways Department has looked into the vehicle exit aspect and had stated, categorically that they do not consider Traffic Impact Assessment to be necessary and indeed that they would not support any proposals to restrict right turning from the site, as it would be unnecessary, unworkable and unenforceable. They confirmed, as stated in the original report to committee that the existing arrangements shown on the application drawing are perfectly acceptable.

It is considered therefore that there is no justification for insisting on a safety audit and traffic impact assessment.

            RESOLVED:

That the requirements of the legal agreement imposed when the application was originally considered in August 2005 be taken off and to grant consent for the development subject to the same conditions as agreed previously. 

(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 – 5 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.