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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 29 October 2008 as correct record (attached).

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 29 October 2008 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 Mrs P Brooks and Councillor Ms S Stavrou declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/2036/08 Clayton Hill Country Park, Old Nazeing Road, Nazeing) by virtue of being members of the Lea Valley Regional Park Association. The Councillors declared that their interest were prejudicial and indicated that they would leave the meeting during the consideration and voting.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs P Brooks, Councillor Mrs R Gadsby and Councillor Ms S Stavrou declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (5) (EPF/1828/08 32 Edward Court, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being  members of Waltham Abbey Town Council Planning Committee. The Councillors declared that their interest was not prejudicial and indicated that they would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Bassett declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (2) (EPF/1955/08 Land at Birchwood Industrial Estate, Hoe Lane, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of living near the site.  The Councillor declared that his interest was not prejudicial and indicated that he would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(d)        Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Ms A Cooper declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (2) (EPF/1955/08 Land at Birchwood Industrial Estate, Hoe Lane, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey) by being a member of Nazeing Town Council. The Councillor declared that her interests was not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Ms A Cooper declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/2036/08 Clayton Hill Country Park, Old Nazeing Road, Nazeing) by virtue of being a member of the Town Council.  The Councillor declared that her interest was not prejudicial and indicated that she 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 M Sartin declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (4) (EPF/1994/08 Fesden Bungalow, Harlow Road, Roydon) by virtue of bringing it before the committee.  The Councillor declared that her interest was 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 J Wyatt declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (3) (EPF/2036/08 Clayton Hill Country Park, Old Nazeing Road, Nazeing) by virtue of being a substitute member of the Lea Valley Regional Park Association. The Councillor declared that his interest was not prejudicial and indicated that he would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.     

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 at the meeting.

(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, Planning applications numbered 1- 5 be determined as set out in the annex to these minutes.

Note:

(Recorded in accordance with Council procedure Rule 15.5 ‘Right to Require Individual Vote to be Recorded’ and 24 ‘Application to the Executive, Committees and Sub-Committee, that Councillor Mrs A Cooper voted against application EPF/1955/08 Land at Birchwood Industrial Estate, Hoe Lane, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey).

To consider the attached report.

The Senior Planning Officer presented a report regarding the planning appeal

decisions for the period April to September 2008. The Sub-Committee were informed

that during the six-month period in question, the Council had received 78 decisions on

appeal, of which 75 were planning and related appeals and 3 were enforcement

appeals. Of these appeals, 24 of the planning appeals were upheld (32%) and 2 of

the 3 enforcement appeals were allowed, to give a combined total of 33.33% of the

Council’s decisions overturned.

In the previous year, 2007/08, a total of 132 decisions were received –

120 planning appeals and 12 enforcement appeals. Of the 120 planning appeals 36

were allowed but none of the enforcement appeals - a total of 27.3% of the Council’s

decisions being overturned.

The Principal Planning Officer reported that the proportion of appeals that arose from

decisions of the committees to refuse contrary to the recommendation of officers

during the 6 month period was 24% and of the 18 decisions that this percentage

represented the Council was successful in sustaining its objection in 7 occasions of them.

RESOLVED:

That, as part of the probity in planning, the appeal decisions for the period

April to September 2008 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 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.