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 9 May 2012 (attached).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2012 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to an amendment by Councillors Jon Whitehouse, W Breare-Hall and K Avey amending the declarations of interests wrongly stating that they declared a personal interest in EPF/2552/11 and EPF/0225/12; and the addition of a personal declaration of interest for item EPF/0307/12, 9 Sunnyside Road, Epping, by virtue of being members of Epping Town Council.

(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 R Morgan  declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Matching Parish Council and being acquainted with the applicant as a member of Moreton Parish Council. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0718/12 – Rose Cottage, Matching Green, Matching.

(b)        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 his daughter attending St John’s Secondary School . The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2295/12 – St John’s C of E Secondary School, Epping.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors W Breare-Hall, Jon Whitehouse and K Avey declared personal interests in the following items on the agenda, by virtue of being members of Epping Town Council. The Councillors had determined that their interests were not prejudicial and they would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2295/12 – St John’s C of E Secondary School, Epping; and
• EPF/0666/12 – 11 Griffin Wood Cottages, High Road, Epping.

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Philip and S Jones declared personal interests in the following items of the agenda, by virtue of being members of Theydon Bois Parish Council. The Councillors had determined that their interests were not prejudicial and they would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• TPO/EPF/02/12 – 20 Piercing Hill, Theydon Bois;
• TPO/EPF/01/12 – Oak Hill Farm, Coppice Row;
• EPF/0268/12 – 121 Theydon Park Road, Theydon Bois;
• EPF/0496/12 – ‘Braemar’, Theydon Park Road, Theydon Bois; and
• EPF/0421/12 – 19 Dukes Avenue, Theydon Bois.

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Janet Whitehouse declared a personal interest in the following item on the agenda, by virtue of being a County Councillor. The Councillor had determined that her interests were not prejudicial and she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2295/12 – St John’s C of E Secondary School, Epping.

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.

To consider the attached report.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report on the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO/EPF/02/12) subject to the exclusion of T2, Oak.

The order was in response to a request from Theydon Bois Parish Council to consider protecting the cedar. On inspection it was found that two trees were present, a cedar and a medium sized oak. Both trees were protected. The preservation of the oak was objected to. It was accepted that the important tree and that the oak was not a particularly fine specimen nor an ideal replacement.

            RESOLVED:

            That TPO/EPF/02/12 be confirmed subject to  the exclusion of T2, oak.

To consider the attached report.

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report on the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO/EPF/01/12) is confirmed without modification. The site was within Oak Hill Farm, Coppice Row and is within the Green Belt.

The woodland boundaries along Coppice Row and the track leading to the deer sanctuary (to the south) form significant natural boundaries to this site, and contribute to the character of this transition zone between the Forest and the built environment of the village of Theydon Bois.

The Parish Council supported this order. An objection was also made by the owner of the land, citing various reasons.

It was noted that the trees within these woodlands had been protected to safe guard the natural green boundaries of the site which were fundamental to the setting of the field in the transition zone from the Forest to the more urbanised area of the Village and that the use of a ‘woodland’ designation was the most suitable option available under the legislation. In making this order the Council was acting in accordance with policy LL7 of the Adopted Local Plan and Alterations (adopted 1998 and 2006) in that it was protecting ‘trees and woodland of amenity value’.

            RESOLVED:

            That Tree Preservation Order 01/12 is 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 – 9 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee considered the regular probity in planning report advising the decision making committees of the results of all successful appeals, particularly those refused by committee contrary to officer recommendation. The purpose was to inform the committee of the consequences of their decisions in this respect and, in cases where the refusal was found to be unsupportable on planning grounds, an award of costs may be made against the Council.

Over the six-month period between October 2011 and March 2012, the Council received 51 decisions on appeals (44 of which were planning related appeals, the other 7 were enforcement related). Out of this 44, 11 were allowed (25%).

Councillor Janet Whitehouse expressed disappointment that in future this report would only go to the Planning Sub-committee’s once a year and not six monthly. This was in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning Services Scrutiny Standing Panel who agreed that the report came to them on a six monthly basis and the Area Plans Sub-committee every year.

            RESOLVED:

That the Planning Appeal Decisions for the period October 2011 to March 2012 be noted.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning & Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee could be inspected in the Members’ Room or on the Planning & Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices in 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.