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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, held on 30 May 2012.

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2012 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 A Lion 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 interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/0498/12   Rear of 6 Shillibeer Walk, Chigwell; and

·                     EPF/0858/12   5 Canterbury Close, Chigwell

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Lion declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being a resident of Canterbury Close. 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/0858/12   5 Canterbury Close, Chigwell.

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(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following items 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 applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/0498/12   Rear of 6 Shillibeer Walk, Chigwell;

·                     EPF/0858/12   5 Canterbury Close, Chigwell; and

·                     EPF/0962/12   3 Alderton Mews, Loughton.

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors T Cochrane, R Cohen, L Girling, Jennie Hart, L Leonard, J Markham,  C Pond and D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being a member 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 applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/0962/12   3 Alderton Mews, Loughton;

·                     EPF/0486/12   3 Church Hill, Loughton; and

·                     EPF/0931/12   182 Roding Road, Loughton.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors C Pond, T Thomas and D Wixley declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being a member 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/0962/12   3 Alderton Mews, Loughton;

·                     EPF/0486/12   3 Church Hill, Loughton; and

·                     EPF/0931/12   182 Roding Road, Loughton.

(f)         Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Jennie Hart declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being acquainted with the objector. The Councillor had determined that her interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/0486/12   3 Church Hill, Loughton.

(g)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors G Chambers, H Ulkun and S Watson declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council. 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/0634/12   170-174  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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.

Resolved:

(1)        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 Senior Planning Officer presented a report concerning the planning appeal decisions for the period October 2011 to March 2012.

The Senior Planning Officer reported that, for this particular Sub-Committee, there had been two appeals allowed by the Planning Inspector where the Sub-Committee had refused the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation. These were:

(i)         EPF/2151/10   Loyola Preparatory School, 103 Palmerston Road

Revised application for the provision of an artificial playing surface and surround fencing to the existing playing field; and

(ii)        EPF/2664/10   Woolston Manor, Abridge Road

Use of motel building (class C1) for residential purposes as 26 apartments (class C3).

The Senior Planning Officer stated that, whilst performance in defending appeals had improved, the Sub-Committee was reminded of the need for justifiable reasons for refusing planning permission that were not only relevant and necessary but also sound and defendable. Refusing a planning application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation should only be contemplated in cases where the Sub-Committee was certain that they were acting in the wider public interest. Such instances were now the subject of a separate Key Performance Indicator (KPI 55) and would be under greater scrutiny in the future.

Resolved:

(1)        That the Planning Appeal Decisions for the period October 2011 to March 2012 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.