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.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 3 April 2013 as a correct record (attached).

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 3 April 2013 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 S-A Stavrou declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being acquainted with the applicants and having advised them in the past. The Councillor had determined that her interest was non-pecuniary and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/0394/13   Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone Road, Chingford; and

·                     EPF/0457/13   Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone Road, Chingford.

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.

The Sub-Committee noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

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

The Principal Landscape Officer presented a report to confirm a tree preservation order at Knollys Nursery, Pick Hill in Waltham Abbey.

The Principal Landscape Officer reported that a planning application had been received to redevelop the area of the existing house and derelict glasshouses, and to extend development into the adjacent field. As part of the application process, a tree survey had been submitted by the applicant which categorised a number of the trees as ‘B’ quality, but these trees were suitable for retention and consideration should have been given to designing the development around them. The submitted layout plans did not appear to have taken the retention of any of the surveyed trees into account and indeed the majority of the trees on the site were shown to be removed. The trees were considered to be under a direct threat of being felled hence an order was made on those trees deemed suitable for legal protection. The planning application was subsequently refused.

The Principal Landscape Officer informed the Sub-Committee that, although the planning application had been refused, these trees still required legal protection by this order as the trees were likely to be felled otherwise. In making the order, it would highlight to the applicants the important trees on the site and, should they choose to submit further applications for development, this should assist them in designing a new layout with the retention of these trees. It was therefore recommended that the Sub-Committee should confirm the order without modification.

Resolved:

(1)        That Tree Preservation Order TPO/EPF/23/12 at Knollys Nursery, Pick Hill in Waltham Abbey be confirmed without modification.

(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:

(1)        That the planning applications numbered 1 – 11 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(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 Director 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.