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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 18 August 2010.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 18 August 2010 be agreed.

(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 Dodeja, Mrs J Sutcliffe, P Spencer and Ms S Watson declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue that they were 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:

• EPF/1354/10, 30 Stag Lane, Buckhurst Hill
• EPF/1658/10, 30 Stag Lane, Buckhurst Hill
• EPF/90/10, TPO at Land to the rear of 66-78 Walnut Way, Buckhurst Hill

(b)                           Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs Richardson declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue that she was a member of Loughton Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and she would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1413/10, Land Rear of Diggens Court and Vanryne House, High Road, Loughton;
• EPF/1507/10, 43 Forest View Road, Loughton;
• EPF/1782/10, Pavement outside Homebase car park, Church Hill, Loughton;
• EPF/1723/10, Rear of car park of 184-186 High Road, Loughton.

(c)                           Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Barrett declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue that he lived in the road and was the ward Councillor. 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/1413/10, Land Rear of Diggens Court and Vanryne House, High Road, Loughton;

·                                EPF/1723/10, Rear car park of 184-186 High Road, Loughton.

(d)                           Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors B Sandler, K Chana and Mrs L Wagland declared personal interests in the following items of the agenda by virtue that they were 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/1325/10, 114, 116, 118 Manor Road, Chigwell;
• EPF/1689/10, Hedgeside, 132 High Road, Chigwell.

(e)                           Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor K Angold-Stephens declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue that he was a members of Loughton Town Council and for EPF/1782/10 a member of the Loughton Residents Association. The Councillor had determined that his interests were not prejudicial and he would stay in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1413/10, Land Rear of Diggens Court and Vanryne House, High Road, Loughton;
• EPF/1507/10, 43 Forest View Road, Loughton;
• EPF/1782/10, Pavement outside Homebase car park, Church Hill, Loughton.

(f)                             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs C Pond declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue that she was a member of the Loughton Residents Association; for EPF/1413/10 a member of the Methodist Church and for EPF/1782/10 that she had commented on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

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 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.

            RESOLVED:

            That the planning applications numbered 1 – 8 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

Recommendation:

That Tree Preservation Order 90/10 is not confirmed

Background

This ‘Area’ Tree Preservation Order was made on a triangular parcel of land boarded by the rear gardens of 66-78 Walnut Way, Station Way and the railway line. From outside the site several mature trees are visible both on the boundary with Station Way and around the buildings.

The buildings currently on site house generators in connection with Transport for London. We had been advised that these buildings were no longer of use and that the land was to be sold.

The Order was made strategically and to pre-empt any proposals for the redevelopment of this area of land.

Head of Planning Services Comments

After having served this Order, Transport for London have advised that only part of the site has been sold. They retain land occupied by a new generator building to be used by them for the foreseeable future. Transport for London are ‘statutory undertakers’ and this part of the site is classified as ‘operational land’, allowing them to undertaken any tree work necessary irrespective of the trees protected status. Therefore, it is considered inappropriate to preserve these trees.

A detailed Tree Survey has been undertaken for the area of land sold by Transport for London. The trees on this part of the site are of poor quality and as individual trees not considered worthy of protection.

Conclusions

It is recommended that the Order is not confirmed.

The ‘Area’ Tree Preservation Order on the parcel of land boarded by the rear gardens of 66-78 Walnut Way, Station Way and the railway line not be confirmed because the area owned by London Transport are ‘statutory undertakers’ and are allowed to undertake any tree work necessary irrespective of the trees protected status. Therefore is was considered inappropriate to preserve these trees.

A detailed Tree Survey had been undertaken for the area of land sold by Transport for London. The trees on this part of the site are of poor quality and as individual trees were not considered worthy of protection.

RESOLVED:

That the tree preservation order 90/10 was not confirmed.

(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.