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 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 17 November 2010 (attached).

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 November 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, Councillors Mrs A Grigg and D Stallan declared a personal interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being members of North Weald Bassett Parish Council. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2260/10   Roughtalleys Wood, Kiln Road, North Weald Bassett;

·                     EPF/2107/10   Chase Farm, Vicarage Lane, North Weald Bassett;

·                     EPF/2222/10   McDonalds, London Road, Hastingwood;

·                     EPF/2223/10   McDonalds, London Road, Hastingwood; and

·                     EPF/2224/10   McDonalds, London Road, Hastingwood.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs J H Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being well acquainted with the applicant. The Councillor had determined that her interest was prejudicial but would address the Sub-Committee as a public speaker before leaving the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2356/10   10 Barn Mead, Theydon Bois.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J M Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being a relative of the public speaker. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/2356/10   10 Barn Mead, Theydon Bois.

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

·                     EPF/2107/10   Chase Farm, Vicarage Lane, North Weald.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs D Collins declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that her interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/1112/10   Units 1 – 5, Roffey Hall Farm, Threshers Bush, Harlow.

(f)         Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor R Morgan declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being well acquainted with the applicant. The Councillor had determined that his interest was prejudicial and would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                     EPF/1112/10   Units 1 – 5, Roffey Hall Farm, Threshers Bush, Harlow.

(g)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs S Jones and J Philip declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of being members of Theydon Bois Parish Council and acquainted with one of the objectors. 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/1415/10   Frank Foster House, Loughton Lane, Theydon Bois.

(h)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor B Rolfe declared a personal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

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.

It was noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

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

The Principal Planning Officer presented the biannual Probity in Planning Report for the appeal decisions during the period April to September 2010.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the Council received decisions on 36 appeals during the period, of which 10 were upheld (31.7%). There were two appeals upheld where the Sub-Committee had resolved contrary to the planning Officer’s recommendation, these were:

(i)         EPF/1271/09 – replacement of former stables with an accommodation block and rear extension to form a conservatory and storage at the Green Man in Toot Hill; and

(ii)        EPF/0380/10 – side and rear two storey extension and two storey front extension at 3a The Weind in Theydon Bois.

The Sub-Committee was further informed that there  were two awards of costs made against the Council during this period. In one instance, the Planning Inspector had awarded costs in the sum of £8,287 against the Council for an enforcement notice appeal at 53 High Street in Epping for issuing the enforcement notice too soon after being given notice of a retrospective planning application.

The Sub-Committee was reminded to only consider setting aside the Planning Officer’s recommendation in cases where it was in the wider public interest to do so and a good indication of successfully defending the decision at appeal had been given.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the Planning Appeal decisions for the period April to September 2010 be noted.

(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:

(1)        That the planning applications numbered 1 – 13 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

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

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report concerning the extension of Footpath 51, linking Norton Heath Road with Spains Hall Road in Willingale.

The Sub-Committee was informed that Essex County Council had consulted the District Council, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, of their intention to extend a footpath that ran north off Norton Heath Road to meet a track running south towards it off Spains Hall Road. There had been no objections received to the proposal and it would be in the public interest to have Footpath 51 extended, which could be done without any undue harm being caused to either the countryside or the amenities of any local resident.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That Essex County Council be notified that no objection had been raised to the order proposing the extension of Footpath 51 in Willingale.

(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 Director of Planning and Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting, had been circulated and could be inspected at the Civic Offices.