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.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 13 July 2011 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

In the absence of the Vice Chairman, the Chairman requested nominations for the role of Vice Chairman.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor K Chana be elected Vice Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

(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 D Dodeja, P Spencer and Mrs J Sutcliffe 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 interests were not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

• EPF/1049/11 18 Brook Road, Buckhurst Hill;
• EPF/1198/11 34 Stradbroke Grove, Buckhurst Hill; and
• EPF/1242/11 63 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill

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

• EPF/0853/11 8 The Summit, Loughton; and
• EPF/1428/11 The Ridings, Manor Road, Loughton

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors K Chana 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 interests were not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

• EPF/1273/11 93 Manor Road, Chigwell;
• EPF/1280/11 1 Gainsborough Place, Chigwell;
• EPF/0806/11 46 Dacre Gardens, Chigwell;
• EPF/0936/11 22 Coolgardie Avenue, Chigwell;
• EPF/1152/11 109 and 111 Manor Road, Chigwell; and
• EPF/1211/11 49A Hainault Road, Chigwell

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Mohindra declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Chigwell Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that his interests were not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

• EPF/1273/11 93 Manor Road, Chigwell;
• EPF/1280/11 1 Gainsborough Place, Chigwell;
• EPF/0806/11 46 Dacre Gardens, Chigwell;
• EPF/0936/11 22 Coolgardie Avenue, Chigwell; and
• EPF/1152/11 109 and 111 Manor Road, Chigwell

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Mohindra declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Chigwell Parish Council and also knowing the neighbour to the application site concerned. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1211/11 49A Hainault Road, Chigwell

(f)         Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs C Pond declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Loughton Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest were not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0853/11 8 The Summit, Loughton

(g)        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 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

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 business for the Sub-Committee to consider.

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

The Sub-Committee received a report from Mr C Neilan, Tree and Landscape Officer, regarding Confirmation of Tree Preservation Order EPF/07/11, St. John’s C of E Primary School, and Car Park of St. John’s Centenary Hall, Buckhurst Hill.

St. John’s School had approached the District Council for advice on trees within the school grounds prior to their submission of a planning application for a new classroom extension. In addition, a number of calls had been received from members of the public advising that the Church were considering plans for a new Church Hall, and concerns had been raised regarding potential loss of trees. It was appropriate to identify the most important trees in making this Tree Preservation Order.

The Grounds of Objections

One objection had been received on behalf of the Parochial Church Council and the Church Wardens. The objection related to five trees within the church car park area. The reasons given were:

(a)        It was not accepted that these trees were of any significant importance by virtue of their age, location or amenity benefit, bearing in mind the number of trees within the church grounds; and

(b)        Plans were yet to be drawn up for the new community facilities.

The Director of Planning and Economic Development commented as follows:

There were many trees on the consecrated land directly surrounding the church. These had not been included in the order due to the large number of graves within their vicinity. The trees, which were protected, were in the open area of the church car park. The volume of enquiries received, prior to making this order indicated that they had a high public amenity value. Although no application for the demolition and replacement of the existing halls had been submitted, it was premature to exclude these trees from the order on those grounds. Should such an application be received, the importance of the trees would then be considered and re-evaluated against the reasons given for the application.

RESOLVED:

That Tree Preservation Order 07/11 be confirmed without modification.

(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 – 11 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.

(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.