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.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman presided over the meeting and invited nominations from the Sub-Committee for the appointment of a Vice-Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor M Cohen be appointed as Vice-Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2009 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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

(a)        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 would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2063/09   2 Forest Lane, Chigwell.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs L Wagland, J Knapman, A Lion and B Sandler 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 would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2063/09   2 Forest Lane, Chigwell;

·                     EPF/1554/09   144 Manor Road, Chigwell;

·                     EPF/1712/09   Brownings Farmhouse, Gravel Lane, Chigwell; and

·                     EPF/2115/9     30 Chigwell Park Drive, Chigwell.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor M Cohen declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2063/09   2 Forest Lane, Chigwell; and

·                     EPF/1716/09   Beechlands, 42 Alderton Hill, Loughton.

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

·                     EPF/1716/09   Beechlands, 42 Alderton Hill, Loughton.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors K Angold-Stephens, R Barrett, R Law, Mrs C Pond, Mrs P Richardson 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 would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/1716/09   Beechlands, 42 Alderton Hill, Loughton; and

·                     EPF/1949/09   276 High Road, Loughton.

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.

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

When considering the planning application for 276 High Road in Loughton, the Sub-Committee felt that the occupants of the flats above the property should have also been consulted along with a site notice displayed. The Principal Planning Officer agreed to report back to the Sub-Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 6 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report regarding the Planning Appeal decisions for the period April to September 2009, highlighting successful appeals whereby the Sub-Committee refused the application contrary to the Planning Officer’s recommendation and the award of any costs against the Council where the refusal was found to be unsustainable.

The Principal Planning Officer reported that of the 49 planning appeals during the period, 14 were allowed, which had equated to a rate of 28.6%. The Council’s Local Performance Indicator had a target of 25%, which the Council had narrowly failed to achieve during the period but the Council’s performance had still improved in comparison with last year. The Council was also unsuccessful in winning any of the six appeals whereby the relevant Sub-Committee had refused the application contrary to the Officer recommendation. Of these six applications, four had been determined by Area Planning Sub-Committee South. During the period, there had been no award of costs made for or against the Council.

The Sub-Committee acknowledged that Members had to consider all aspects of an application very carefully when considering a refusal contrary to the Officer’s recommendation. It was also accepted that the Council’s scope for action was restricted when there was already an existing consent on the site. The Sub-Committee felt that some further training would be useful, in particular with the consideration of reasons for refusal and examining the circumstances of past planning appeals that had been upheld by the Planning Inspector.

RESOLVED:

            That the Planning Appeal decisions for the period April to September 2009 be noted.

(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 Director of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.