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 adopted by the Council to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee, in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission. The Sub-Committee noted the advice provided for the public and speakers in attendance at Council Planning Sub-Committee meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, held on 20 January 2010, as attached.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2010 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 M McEwen declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of the applicant being a Parish Councillor in her ward. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2412/09 – Parsonage House, The Parsonage, Berners Roding, Ongar.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor P Gode declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Ongar Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2506/09 – Land at Station Approach, High Street, Ongar.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Stallan declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being the Housing Portfolio Holder. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2506/09 – Land at Station Approach, High Street, Ongar.

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Pritchard declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of his occupation. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2506/09 – Land at Station Approach, High Street, Ongar.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) 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 considered the supplementary agenda paper on the confirmation of a tree preservation order under any other business.

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

The Planning Officer reported that a Tree Preservation Order 42/09 became effective on 11 August 2009 protecting 2 Horse Chestnut and 1 Sycamore in the garden of 33 Severns Field, Epping. It had been made on a basis that the Council was aware of an allegation of subsidence caused by one or all of the trees adjacent to the property. A written representation had been received objecting on the basis that the reasons for making the order had not been explained and that the trees were not worthy of protection.

The Director of Planning and Economic Development responded to the objections as follows;

1.         The trees protected by this order formed a highly visible and established public amenity bordering the Epping Conservation Area. The TEMPO system for interpreting the value of the trees had been used as a professional aid and provided a sufficient scoring to justify the TPO.

2.         The trees had been visited by the Council’s Landscape Officer and Arboriculturist to review the damage and the owner’s insurance company had attributed the damage in particular to some non-TPO’d conifers and one of the Horse Chestnuts. The insurance company was still engaged in monitoring buildings movement and consequently not in a position to submit the information required.

The Committee had been made aware that even after confirmation of the TPO, an application could be made to exempt any of the trees. Hence these trees are worthy of a Tree Preservation Order.

RESOLVED:

That Tree Preservation Order EPF/42/03 be confirmed without modification.

(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.

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 2 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 schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.