Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast;

2.         Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and

3.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be filmed live for subsequent uploading to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing.

If you are seated in the public seating area it is possible that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast although Officers will try and avoid this.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you have any concerns about this you should speak to the Webcasting Officer.”

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 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.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors K Chana, J Knapman, B Sandler and Mrs L Wagland declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being members of Chigwell Parish Council. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and they would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1155/09  5 Cedar Park, Cedar Place, Chigwell
• EPF/1071/09  Garden Centre, 212 Manor Road, Chigwell

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs C Pond, Mrs P Richardson, R Barratt and D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being members of Loughton Town Council. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and they would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0762/09  36 Spareleaze Hill, Loughton
• EPF/1045/09  7 Albion Hill, Loughton
• EPF/1097/09  6 Albion Hill, Loughton
• EPF/1121/09  30 The Drive, Loughton
• EPF/1122/09  11 Chandler Road, Loughton
• EPF/1135/09  9 Harwater Drive, Loughton

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors J Markham, Mrs C Pond, and D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being members of Loughton Resident Association. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and they would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0762/09  36 Spareleaze Hill, Loughton
• EPF/1097/09  6 Albion Hill, Loughton

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a Tree Warden. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and he would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1155/09  5 Cedar Park, Cedar Place, Chigwell

• Confirmation of Tree Preservation Order: EPF/11/09 – 36-68 Bracken Drive, Chigwell.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Hart declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and that he would leave the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting thereon:

• EPF/1135/09  9 Harwater Drive, Loughton

(f)         Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors D Dodeja, Mrs J Sutcliffe and P Spencer declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being members of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and they would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• 36 & 37 Fairlands Avenue, Buckhurst Hill

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2009 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2009 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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 noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

(Director 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.

            RESOLVED:

            That the planning applications numbered 1 – 9 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

Recommendation:

That tree preservation order EPF/11/09 is confirmed with modification (omission of T32- field maple)

Background:

Tree Preservation Order EPF/11/09 was made to protect 32 individual trees and 1 group of trees within residential gardens and the grass verge at 36-68 Bracken Drive Chigwell.

This area is currently protected by a ‘blanket’  Essex County Council Tree Preservation Order made in 1951. These Essex Orders are currently being reviewed and the purpose of this new Order is to  protect those trees still worthy of preservation that were previous covered by the Essex Order. It also includes some additional trees now considered worthy of preservation.

Objection to the Tree Preservation Order :

Two objections have been received –

A - 60 Bracken Drive in respect of T32 – Field Maple

B - 56 Bracken Drive in respect of T3, T4, T5, T6 (oaks), T7 Hornbeam

A  The objection at 60 Bracken Drive is made on the grounds that :

i) The tree is in poor condition.

B  The objection at 56 Bracken Drive is made on the grounds that ;

i) There are 6 large trees within the rear garden. 5 have been selected to be protected by this Order. The owner considers that 6 mature trees are too many for the size of garden.

ii)  They cause dense shade

iii)  They have misshapen crowns because of crowding and have large dead branches.

iv)  Unable to grow shrubs and plants under the trees because of shading.

v)  This number of trees results in an excessive volume of leaves in the autumn.

Director of  Planning & Economic Development Comments

A - 60 Bracken Drive This is a relatively small tree due to it being suppressed by the adjacent hornbeam (T31). Its total height is approx 5 metres and at approx 3 metres from ground level the main truck splits into two. One of these branches has been removed and a decay pocket has developed. The foliage cover is thin within the crown, which indicates poor health.

The loss of this tree would not be significant within the landscape in view of the hornbeam (T31) within this garden and the oak (T27) within the neighbour’s garden, both of which are protected by this order and provide a more visible screen.

B - 56 Bracken Drive.  This group of good quality mature oaks and a hornbeam are remnants of the woodland which once covered this area.

i) The garden is south east facing and approximately 26 metres long which includes a patio area adjacent to the house. These trees stand approx 14 metres in height and extend from the rear boundary 16metres into the garden.  All of these trees are of similar age and quality, none show any significant defects when inspected from ground level. It is therefore difficult to select one or two trees that would be suitable for removal based on their current condition. The owner has not indicated which of the trees they would wish to fell. Continuing the protection  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report regarding the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order on 32 individual trees, 1 group of trees within residential gardens and grass verge at 36-68 Bracken Drive Chigwell. The Sub-Committee were informed that the Tree Preservation Order EPF/11/09 had been made to protect trees at this site following a review of a ‘blanket’ Essex County Council Tree preservation Order made in 1951. Two objections had been received regarding 60 Bracken Drive - T32 (field maple) and 56 Bracken Drive - T3, T4, T5, T6 (oaks) ,T7 (hornbeam).  The Director of Planning & Economic Development had responded as follows:

i)    60 Bracken Drive – In view of the poor condition of the field maple it was recommended that the order be confirmed with the medication of the omission of T32 –field maple.

ii)   56 Bracken Drive – That the individual problems and shortcomings of these trees are outweighed by the collective group effect the trees produce. By protecting the trees proper consideration would be ensured for work to or felling of the individual trees and for that reason it was recommended that the order would not be modified in respect of the trees at the property.

RESOLVED:

That the Tree Preservation Order EPF/11/09 be confirmed with the omission of T32 – field maple.

(Director 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.