Agenda and minutes

Area Planning Sub-Committee West - Wednesday 21st February 2024 7.00 pm, MOVED

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping

Contact: V Messenger, Democratic Services Tel: (01992) 564243  Email:  democraticservices@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

37.

Webcasting Introduction

This meeting is to be webcast and the Chairman will read the following announcement:

 

“I would like to remind everyone present that this hybrid meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or other such use by third parties).

 

Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes. If any public speakers on Zoom do not wish to have their image captured, they should ensure that their video setting throughout the meeting is turned off and set to audio only.

 

Please also be aware that if technical difficulties interrupt the meeting that cannot be overcome, I may need to adjourn the meeting.

 

Members are reminded to activate their microphones before speaking”.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 Sub-Committee noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

38.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements agreed by the Council, to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission.

39.

Declarations of Interest

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor  S Heather declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and as a voting Chairman thereon:

 

·         EPF/2601/22 – Land to the South & East of the former Chimes Garden Centre, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey EN10 6RJ

 

b)             Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor C Whitbread declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda as a former County Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and currently the County Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Corporate Affairs. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

 

·         EPF/2601/22 – Land to the South & East of the former Chimes Garden Centre, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey EN10 6RJ

40.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 15 November 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

          RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 15 November 2023 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

41.

Any Other Business

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

42.

Site Visits

To identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held with regard to any planning application listed in this agenda, prior to consideration of the application.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no formal site visits requested by the Sub-Committee.

43.

EPF/2601/22 Land to the South & East of the former Chimes Garden Centre, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey EN10 6RJ pdf icon PDF 441 KB

To consider the attached report for outline application for the redevelopment of the site to provide up to 52 later living apartments (Extra Care Housing) incorporating a convenience shop and café (use class E); 13 retirement cottages (Extra Care Housing); 10 self build & custom build houses; 4 affordable houses, open space, bowling green, children's play area and improved local bus service; all matters reserved except access.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Planning Officer presentation provided an update on the application and clarified that two of the original recommended reasons for refusal from the November 2023 Committee Report were no longer being suggested by officers.

 

Discussion took place around the need for the development, impact on the Green Belt, and where the financial contributions should be put towards. The level of affordable housing provision (or contribution in lieu of) was discussed, as was potential flood risk, and the designation/quality of the Green Belt land.

 

It was made known to Members that if planning approval was recommended then this application would have to be presented to the District Development Management Committee (DDMC) for a decision since this would be contrary to policy. Councillor C Whitbread put forward some suggestions/questions for DDMC, which were:

 

1.    That members might benefit from a site visit before the DDMC meeting;

2.    That there had to be consistency in planning, which could at times be difficult to achieve;

3.    Questions must be asked as to whether the level of contributions was right;

4.    There should be certainty on the affordable housing provision;

5.    The Council needed to ensure that there was good community gain; and

6.    Consideration must be given as to whether this would open up opportunities for other similar greenfield sites to be developed.

 

A vote was taken to refuse consent as per the officer’s recommendation, which was not upheld.

 

No motion was advanced to approve planning consent.

 

Four Members then referred the item up to DDMC under a Minority Reference.

 

Decision: The application was referred to DDMC with no recommendation from the Area Planning Sub-Committee West and a recommendation to refuse planning consent from the officer.

44.

EPF/2844/22 Nether Kidders Farm, Laundry Lane, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey EN9 2DY pdf icon PDF 263 KB

To consider the attached report for the change of use and conversion of existing buildings to form three dwellings and associated car ports, alterations to existing vehicle access, provision of soft landscaping.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members discussed the merits of the scheme and concerns around the existing site and surrounding area.

 

Following the debate, a vote was taken on the officer’s recommendation to refuse planning consent but was not upheld. A motion was proposed and seconded by Members to recommend approval since the proposal would result in an enhancement of the environment, an improvement to landscaping, and would be providing homes.

 

Members delegated conditions to officers but clarified that they wished to see a condition removing permitted development rights (particularly for outbuildings) and a condition regarding the removal of the existing menage. The vote was carried to approve the application, subject to conditions and a S106 Legal Agreement.

 

Decision: The application was approved with conditions (subject to S106 Legal Agreement).

45.

EPF/2106/23 Hannah Nursery, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey E4 7RG pdf icon PDF 245 KB

To consider the attached report for RETROSPECTIVE - One Fascia sign adjacent to the site entrance from Sewardstone Road 200cm(w) x 100cm(h). White board with black writing bearing the name of the site and postal code affixed to the exterior of the site boundary fencing. No company names, services or products are listed/shown.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Decision: The application for advertisement consent was approved with conditions.

46.

EPF/2179/23 Black Swan PH, Common Road, Waltham Abbey EN9 2DF pdf icon PDF 372 KB

To consider the attached report for the s73 variation to condition 2 (plan numbers) attached to EPF/3254/21 (The erection of two new detached dwellings). The proposed changes are; (1) Two front dormer windows and three rear roof lights to the bungalow, and (2) changes to the front landscaping to create two parking spaces at the front of each dwelling, including the creation of a second vehicular access point, the erection of 1.8m high timber fences with 2m high brick piers, further landscaping, and cycle/bin stores.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The impact on the listed building and landscaping was debated, with clear opinions being given as to the quality and merit of the proposal and overall scheme.

 

The vote was not upheld to refuse planning consent as per the officer’s recommendation. A motion was proposed and seconded by Members to approve consent, based on the opinion that this would not be detrimental to the setting of the Listed Building or the character and appearance of the wider area. Members voted in favour of approving planning consent.

 

Decision: The application was approved  with conditions.