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 March 2013 (attached).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 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 Mrs A Grigg declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of attending the church adjacent to the site in question. The Councillor had determined that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/0403/13 59 – 61 High Road, Epping

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Philip declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the neighbour to the application site in question. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2452/12 The Old School House, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois CM16 7DL

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor K Avey declared a non pecuniary interest in the following items of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/1558/09 North Barn, New Farm Drive, Abridge RM4 1BU;
• EPF/2451/12 32 Piercing Hill, Theydon Bois CM16 7JW; and
• EPF/0403/13 59 – 61 High Road, North Weald

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs J Whitehouse declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society. The Councillor had determined that she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

• EPF/2452/12 The Old School House, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois CM16 7DL

(e)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor B Rolfe indicated that he would make a non pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda, he also requested that the interest should be declared under Item 7 Development Control, Report Item 1.

Councillor B Rolfe had made a similar declaration at the last meeting of this sub-committee on 20 March 2013 regarding this planning application. He advised that he had decided not to take part in the discussion and voting on the North Barn planning application and would withdraw from the meeting. He had decided to do this on advice and because he had recognised that any involvement by himself could be misinterpreted by the applicants and could be used to undermine the Council’s position in any potential planning appeal or other challenge. He said that he remained clear in his own mind that he had done nothing wrong but recognised that his higher duty was to avoid any undue risk to the Council.

• EPF/1558/09 North Barn, New Farm Drive, Abridge, Essex RM4 1BU he made a statement under this agenda item:

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 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 - 5 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(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.