Agenda and minutes

“I would like to remind everyone that this meeting will be filmed live or recorded, and uploaded to the internet and will be capable of repeated viewing.

Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

If any public speakers on MS Teams do not wish to have their image captured, they should ensure that their video setting throughout the meeting is turned off and set to audio only.

Members and public speakers are reminded to activate their microphones before speaking and turn them off when they have finished.”

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.

To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The following substitutions were noted:

·       Councillor Matthews had been appointed for Councillor Stocker, and

·       Councillor Allgood had been appointed for Councillor Kauffman on Item 8, EPF/0641/24 - THE TOP OAK PUBLIC HOUSE, OAK HILL ROAD, STAPLEFORD ABBOTTS, ROMFORD, RM4 1JL.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

a)          Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor Kauffman declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of knowing the agent of the application.

·            EPF/0641/24 - THE TOP OAK PUBLIC HOUSE, OAK HILL ROAD, STAPLEFORD ABBOTTS, ROMFORD, RM4 1JL

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Area Planning Sub Committee South held on 7 August 2024 and the meeting of the Area Planning Sub Committee West held on 28 August 2024.

It was noted that Councillor Williamson was present at Sub-Committee South and Councillor Lea was present at Sub-Committee West.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee South held on 7 August 2024 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee West held on 28 August 2024 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The committee agreed to move this item forward due to public interest. Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representations from an objector, the Parish Council, Councillor C Whitbread and Ward Councillor Jon Whitehouse. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted against the officer recommendation to approve the application. Reasons for refusal of the application were proposed, seconded, and voted for by The Committee.

The justification submitted in the application is insufficient to outweigh the loss of the tree due to its significant visual and other amenity value. Its removal would be detrimental to the local landscape setting and heritage. The loss of the tree is therefore contrary to Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy DM5 of the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2023(2023).

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to REFUSE the application.

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representation from the Agent of the applicant. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted for the officer recommendation.

Resolved:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (Subject to s106 Legal Agreement).

The Chairman, Councillor Jones announced that Ward Councillor Amos and herself and could not determine this application and that no substitutes had been nominated.

The Chairman announced that Ward Councillor Kauffman could not determine this application but substitutes Councillor Allgood had been nominated.

Councillor Williamson was proposed, seconded and agreed as Chairman for the item and Councillor Ardakani was proposed, seconded and agreed as Vice Chairman.

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representations from the Parish Council, applicant and Ward councillors Jones and Amos. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted for the officer recommendation.

Resolved:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (Subject to s106 Legal Agreement).

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representation from the applicant. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted for the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions.

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representation from the applicant and Ward Councillor C Whitbread.  The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted for the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (Subject to s106 Legal Agreement).

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representation from the applicant and Ward Councillor Matthews.  The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application. The Committee voted for the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application (Subject to s106 Legal Agreement).