Agenda and minutes

1.            This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.            The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery.”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

The Chairman announced that he would be a voting Chairman at this meeting.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Lion declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2948/19 – 117 High Road, Loughton IG10 4JA

b)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Lion declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following items of the agenda as he had called-in these applications. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/0172/21 – 5 Grange Crescent, Chigwell IG7 5JB; and

·         EPF/0504/22 – 1 Tomswood Road, Chigwell IG7 5QP

c)              Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor M Owen declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/0519/22 – 42 Church Hill, Loughton IG10 1LA

d)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Murray declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda because it had been brought to his attention that the garden, of a volunteer he knew at the foodbank, bordered the property. The Councillor had determined he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/0172/21 – 5 Grange Crescent, Chigwell IG7 5JB

e)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor K Williamson declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant, which he did not know until the site visit. The Councillor had determined he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2948/19 – 117 High Road, Loughton IG10 4JA

f)               Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Patel declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. The Councillor had determined he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2948/19 – 117 High Road, Loughton IG10 4JA

g)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Lion remarked that the Conservative Party members should declare a non-pecuniary interest in the following item as the applicant had stood as a Conservative election candidate, which the Chairman agreed was the reason for his declaration. The Councillors would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2948/19 – 117 High Road, Loughton IG10 4JA

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 6 July 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 6 July 2022 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, 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.

Councillor M Owen advised that as the names of applicants had been taken off the new style agenda reports, this made it difficult for members to check if they knew an applicant, in respect of declaring an interest. The Chairman replied that Planning officers were looking into this. 

Councillor C C Pond again raised a problem when trying to read the Planning’s Decision List that was now published as an Excel spreadsheet rather than a report, as it made it difficult to identify which decision referred to which property.

Councillor A Patel asked if Planning officers could make members aware of information material to determining that application before the meeting. This was because application EPF/2472/20, 91 Queens Road, had been deferred from the previous meeting for the Council’s Senior Conservation Officer to submit a report on the heritage of the property for further consideration by members at this meeting.

This briefing note, dated October 2021, has been produced by the Planning Policy team to ensure that a consistent approach is taken to the provision of planning policy advice for the District, particularly in relation to the Epping Forest District Local Plan Submission Version ("LPSV"), which was published on 18 December 2017 and the Main Modifications to the LPSV published for consultation between 15 July and 23 September 2021. The primary purpose of this note is to inform the development management process and to assist Development Management officers, Councillors, applicants, and planning agents. Other Council officers involved in the development management process may also find the note helpful (e.g., Housing, Contaminated Land, Landscaping etc).

The Planning Policy Briefing Note (October 2021) is available at:

https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Planning-Policy-Briefing-Note-06-October-2021-accessible.pdf

It was noted that the Epping Forest District Council Planning Policy Briefing Note (October 2021) was available at:

https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Planning-PolicyBriefing-Note-06-October-2021-accessible.pdf

To identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held with regard to any planning application listed in this agenda, prior to consideration of the application.

The following site visit was agreed by the Sub-Committee.

Councillor B Jennings proposed a site visit for agenda item EPF/0519/22, 42 Church Hill, Loughton IG10 1LA, which was seconded by Councillor C C Pond, so this item was deferred to the next meeting. Councillor C C Pond asked if the Planning officer could also arrange access from the property of the main objector to gauge the impact of the proposal on the neighbour, as Councillor B Jennings had stated.

Councillor D Sunder remarked that it would be preferable if members who wanted a site visit had asked for this to be arranged before the meeting.

To consider the attached report on the proposed conversion of an existing dwelling to incorporate x3 no. two bedroom flats. Proposed rear extension to the existing property x1 no. two bedroom flats, x1 no. three bedroom flat and x1 no. one bedroom flat. Provision of x6 no. car parking spaces with a disabled bay, cycle & bin stores. ** SAC CASE HELD IN ABEYANCE NOW PROGRESSING**

To consider the attached report on the proposed demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a semi-detached pair of dwellings.

    DEFERRED - To DDMC with a Recommendation to refuse

To consider the attached report on the outline application for demolition of the existing dwellinghouse and its replacement with a new build to provide 5 new flats (Revised scheme to EPF/1146/20).

1      The proposed erection of five flatted dwellings amounts to a harmful overdevelopment of the site which is out of keeping with the street scene and the prevailing character of the wider area, which predominantly consists of single family homes. Therefore, the proposal will result in a jarring and harmful development which is contrary to Polices CP2, CP7 & DBE1 of the adopted Local Plan 1998 & 2006, Policy DM9 of the Local Plan Submission Version 2017, and the NPPF 2021.

2      The proposal fails to provide adequate on-site parking provision, which would add to the severe parking stress within the nearby streets, contrary to Policies ST4 & ST6 of the adopted Local Plan 1998 & 2006, Policy T1 of the Local Plan Submission Version 2017, and the NPPF 2021.

3      In the absence of a completed Section 106 planning obligation the proposed development fails to mitigate against the adverse impact that it will have on the Epping Forest Special Area for Conservation in terms of recreational pressure and air pollution. Failure to secure such mitigation is contrary to policies CP1 and CP6 of the adopted Local Plan 1998 & 2006, Policies DM2 and DM22 of the Local Plan Submission Version 2017, Paragraph 180 of the NPPF 2021, and the requirements of the Habitats Regulations 2017.

To consider the attached report to convert garage into living space.

To consider the attached report on two floor side and ground floor rear, part first floor rear extension.

DEFERRED

To consider the attached report on an application for Variation of Condition 2 for EPF/0840/18. (Proposed apartment block (seven flats) on the site at 1 Tomswood Road).

1    By reason of excessive noise disturbance which would be caused to no.3 Tomswood Road   by the proposed balcony on the south eastern corner of the upper ground floor, the proposal fails to ensure that the living conditions of the neighbour will be adequately maintained. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy DBE9 of the Adopted Local Plan and Alterations (2006), with policy DM9 of the Epping Forest District Local Plan Submission version (2017) and with the NPPF.

To consider the attached report on the demolition of existing single storey lean-to and erection of a single storey side and rear extension.

To consider the attached report on alterations and extension to create two flats, with amended retail space to front.