Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

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.

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.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs P Brooks declared personal interest in agenda items 7 (5) (EPF/0425/07 -Claverhambury Manor, Claverhambury Road, Galley Hill, Waltham Abbey), 7(6) (EPF/0439/07 - Former Garage Block, Homefield, Waltham Abbey), 7(7) (EPF/0448/07 - 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey), 7(8) (EPF/0544/07 - 111 Monkswood Avenue, Waltham Abbey), 7(9) (EPF/0581/07 - Monkhams Farm, Hollyfield Road, Waltham Abbey) and 7(10) (EPF/0603/07 – Gilwell Park, Bury Road), by virtue of being a members of the Waltham Abbey Town Council, Planning Committee.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the items.

(b)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs R Gadsby declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a colleague of the applicant.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(c)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs M Sartin declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a colleague of the applicant.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(d)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs J Lea declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a colleague of the applicant.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item. She also declared a personal interest in item 7(8) (EPF/0544/07 – 111 Monkswood Avenue, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of living in that road. She declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

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(e)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Bassett declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (2) (EPF/0232/07 – Langridge Barn, Paynes Lane, Nazeing) and 7(7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey).  The Councillor declared that his interests were not prejudicial and indicated that he would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(f)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs P Smith declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a colleague of the applicant.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(g)            Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R D’Souza declared a personal interest in agenda item 7  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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.

That Chairman proposed that item 7(7) (EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey) be referred up to its parent committee, the District Development Committee. This was seconded by Councillor Wyatt and agreed unanimously by the committee.

            RESOLVED:

That application EPF/0448/07 – 92 Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey be referred to the District Development Committee for consideration.

(Head of Planning Services and Economic Development) to consider the attached report.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report advising of the results of all the successful appeals, particularly those refused by committee contrary to officer recommendations. The purpose was to inform the committee of the consequences of their decisions in this respect and, in cases where the refusal is found to be unsupportable on planning grounds, an award of costs may be made against the Council.

Over the six-month period between October 2006 and March 2007, the Council received 74 decisions on appeals – 71 planning and related appeals and 3 enforcement appeals. Of the 71 planning and related appeals 22 were allowed (31%) and none of the 3 enforcements – a combined total of 29.7% of the Council’s decisions being overturned.

On this occasion, the proportion of appeals that arose from decisions of the committees to refuse contrary to the recommendation of officers was much higher than on previous occasions. Of the 71 appeal decisions, 18 arose in such circumstances and the Council lost 12 of those cases. If those 18 cases were entirely discounted from the statistics, the Council’s performance figure would have been 19%, which is well within the top quartile performance nationally.

There were two cases where costs were awarded during this period – one for the Council and one against.

            RESOLVED:

That the Planning Appeals decision for the period October 2006 and March 2007 be noted.

(Head 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, Planning applications numbered 1 – 10 be determined as set out in the annex to these minutes.

(Head 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 details of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated to all members and were available for inspection at the Civic Offices.