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 9 February 2011 as a correct record (attached).

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 09 February 2011 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, Councillors A Watts, Ms S Stavrou and Mrs R Gadsby  declared personal interest in agenda items 7 (5) (EPF/0046/11 Town Mead Sports and Social Club, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey) and 8 (TPO/119/10 – Town Mead Playing Fields, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a members of the Waltham Abbey Town Council.  The Councillors declared that their interests were prejudicial and indicated that they would leave the meeting during the consideration and voting on the items.

(b)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Ms S Stavrou and Mrs M Sartin declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (1) (EPF/2637/10 – Chingford Day Centre Nursery, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being members of the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority.  The Councillors declared that their interests were 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, Councillors J Wyatt and R Bassett declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (1) (EPF/2637/10 – Chingford Day Centre Nursery, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being deputy members of the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority.  The Councillors declared that their interests were not prejudicial and indicated that they 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 reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider the planning applications 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 – 6 be determined as set out in the annex to these minutes.

Recommendation:

That Tree Preservation Order 119/10 is confirmed without modification

Background

1.         A planning application (EPF/2105/10) was received (and later withdrawn) for a driving range on part of the Town Mead Playing Fields. A further application (EPF/0046/11) appears later on this Agenda. Both applications showed the removal of a woodland covering approximately 2 acres. This woodland borders Waltham Abbey Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre to the east, the embankment of the M25 to the south, and the sports grounds to the west and north.

2.         The woodland is on a raised mound and is planted with, poplar, willow and ash. As a woodland they provide an important screen from the Recycling Centre. The playing fields are well used both for sport and dog walking, and as such these trees provide a key amenity feature within this open recreational area.

The Grounds of Objection

3.         One objection has been received from the firm of Architects dealing with the planning application.  The reasons for the objection are ;

(1)                           That the woodland is scrubby and is not aesthetically pleasing.

(2)                           That, during the winter months, it  does not offer an effective screen.

(3)                           The mound on which the woodland stands is just a spoil heap left over from the construction of the M25 and was not intended to be permanent.

(4)                           The whole area is unkempt, is used as a dumping ground and some of the trees are in poor health.

(5)                           The current trees have no historical merit or amenity value, a new landscape scheme would have greater benefits than a TPO on trees which have no significance other than as a screen from a refuse site.

The Director of Planning and Economic Development comments as follows:

4.         The woodland is approximately 30 years old, and no management of the trees appears to have been undertaken. If a management plan for the woodland was agreed and implemented this would improve the look of the area without the necessity to clear fell the trees.

5.          With the density of existing planting on the mound, the trees do make an effective winter boundary. If the trees were thinned out, and further lower level planting was undertaken, this screening would be maintained. The alternative of felling all the trees, removing the mound and replacing with a one tree wide evergreen screen is unlikely to provide the extent of screening currently present.

6.The fact that the mount has been planted, would indicate that the mound was intended to be in that location and the planting on it is indicative of a planting scheme. This can be confirmed by the fast growing selection of species planted.

7. It is acknowledged that not all trees are in good health and that management of some of them is required. This can be achieved by undertaking work to selected trees, rather than indiscriminate wholesale removal. The fact that the area is used as a dumping ground is not a reason to not confirm this Order.

8. The woodland is  ...  view the full agenda text for item 80.

This item was referred to the next meeting of the District Development Control Committee, with no recommendation.

(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.