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 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.

(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 Mrs P Brooks, J Collier, W Pryor and Mrs E Webster declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being a member of Waltham Abbey Town Council’s Planning Committee. 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/0555/09 – 6 Forest Close, Waltham Abbey.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 29 April 2009 as correct record (attached).

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 29 April 2009 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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:

That Planning applications numbered 1 – 2 be determined as set out in the annex to these minutes.

To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee received a report from the Principal Planning Officer concerning the planning appeal decisions during the six-month period October 2008 to March 2009. Overall, the Council had received 75 decisions on appeal – 71 planning appeals and 4 enforcement appeals – of which 35 of the planning appeals were allowed (49%) but none of the enforcement appeals, giving a total of 47% of the Council’s decisions being overturned in this period.

The Principal Planning Officer reported that the proportion of appeals that arose from a Sub-Committee’s decision to refuse an application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation was 24%. Of these 17 appeals, the Council was only successful in sustaining the Committee’s decision in two cases. The Sub-Committee was content that only one of their decisions had been rejected in this manner and no awards of costs had been made against the Council during this period.

The Sub-Committee were informed that new appeal procedures had been introduced on 6 April 2009. Firstly, in respect of applications for extensions or alterations to single dwellings or works within the curtilage of a single dwelling, applicants would only have 12 weeks in which to appeal rather than the previous six months. Secondly, appellants could now make an application for costs for an appeal dealt with by written representations, instead of only at hearings and inquiries.

The Sub-Committee felt that there had been a change in emphasis from the Planning Inspectors in upholding more appeals, and that this could be under Government guidance to encourage additional housing. The new permitted development rights was also considered a possible factor. It was felt that it would be useful for Councillors to have access to the Government guidance issued to Planning Inspectors.

RESOLVED:

            That the Planning Appeal Decisions for the period October 2008 to March 2009 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.