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.

It was noted that Councillor T Matthews was appointed as the substitute for Councillor K Williamson for the duration of the meeting.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

(a)        Pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Ward Councillor R Balcombe declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following agenda items by virtue of knowing the applicant.

·     EPF/2072/24 & EPF/2078/24 – The Old Forge, Dunmow Road, Fyfield, Ongar CM5 0NN

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 December 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of Planning Committee B held on 4 December 2024 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider the attached report for the erection of two additional portal frame dry storage barns.

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and a representation from the applicant’s agent. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application.

When the Officer recommendation to refuse planning permission was defeated, Councillor M Dadd proposed a motion to approve the application that was seconded by Councillor T Matthews. The vote to grant planning permission was carried with all conditions delegated to Planning Officers to finalise.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions.

To consider the attached report for a two storey rear addition.

Members of the Committee received a joint presentation for EPF/2072/24 and EPF/2078/24 from the Planning Officer, representations from the applicant (EPF/2072/24), the applicant’s agent (EPF/2078/24) and Councillor N Bedford. The Committee discussed the planning merits of these two applications.

The vote was undertaken separately for these two applications. The Committee voted against the Officer recommendation to refuse application EPF/2072/24. Reasons for approval of this application were proposed by Councillor M Dadd and seconded by Councillor C Amos. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the application with all conditions being delegated to the Planning Officer to finalise in accordance with the plans.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions.

To consider the attached report for a Grade II listed building application for a two storey rear addition.

This application for listed building consent was presented and debated jointly with EPF/2072/24 as they were for the same site.

The vote was undertaken separately for these two applications. The Committee voted against the Officer recommendation to refuse application EPF/2078/24. Reasons for approval of this application were proposed by Councillor M Dadd and seconded by Councillor C Amos. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the application with all conditions being delegated to the Planning Officer to finalise in accordance with the plans.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE with conditions the listed building consent.

To consider the attached report for an outline application for the erection of 15 no. new commercial units, improvements to the access road, car parking, refuse areas, cycle stores, tree planting, soft landscaping and sustainable urban drainage; all matters reserved except access (Revised scheme to EPF/0751/23 & EPF/0752/23).

The Committee agreed to bring forward EPF/1888/24 followed by EPF/1889/24, as they were both revised applications for the 2023 application sites also on the agenda for this meeting.

Members of the Committee received a joint presentation for EPF/1888/24, EPF/1889/24, EPF/0751/23 and EPF/0752/23 from the Planning Officer. Representations were received from an objector, the Parish Council, applicant’s agent and Ward Councillor C Whitbread.

The vote was undertaken separately from the other three applications. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the application with conditions.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions (subject to s106 Legal Agreement) and delegated authority for any non-material changes to the conditions / s106 Agreement.

To consider the attached report for an outline application for the erection of 21no. family houses, sustainable drainage systems, car parking (including alterations to the existing Green Lane access), pedestrian and cycle paths, refuse areas, cycle stores, tree planting, soft landscaping and amenity space; all matters reserved except access (Revised scheme to EPF/0751/23 & EPF/0752/23).

Following the joint presentation, representations were received from an objector, the Parish Council, applicant’s agent and Ward Councillor C Whitbread.

The vote was undertaken separately from the other three applications. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to strengthened conditions, as below

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions (subject to s106 Legal Agreement) and delegated authority for any non-material changes to the conditions / s106 Agreement.

To consider the attached report for an outline application for the demolition of the existing buildings followed by the construction of 16 no. family homes, improvements to the vehicular and pedestrian access, car parking, sustainable drainage systems, refuse areas, cycle stores, tree planting, soft landscaping and amenity space; all matters reserved except access.

Following the joint presentation, representations were received from an objector, the Parish Council, applicant’s agent and Ward Councillor C Whitbread.

This application had been deferred from the Area Plans West Committee meeting on 5 June 2024 for additional information relating to highways safety and vehicle movements to and from the site, which was detailed in the agenda report.

The vote was undertaken separately from the other three applications. The Committee voted against the officer recommendation to approve the application. Councillor T Mathews, seconded by Councillor M Dadd, put forward a motion to refuse EPF/0751/23 on the basis that the revised application EPF/1888/24 had been approved, but officers advised this was not a reason for refusal. Therefore, after some discussion between the Chairman and officers, the Committee instead voted unanimously that the application be deferred to give the applicant time to reconsider and possibly withdrawn the application.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to DEFER the application.

To consider the attached report for an outline application for demolition of existing buildings, followed by the construction of 22no. commercial units, 6no. (affordable) family houses, sustainable drainage systems, car parking (including alterations to existing Green Lane access), pedestrian and cycle connection, refuse areas, cycle stores, tree planting, soft landscaping and amenity space; all matters reserved except access.

Following the joint presentation, representations were received from an objector, the Parish Council, applicant’s agent and Ward Councillor C Whitbread.

This application had been deferred from the Area Plans West Committee on 5 June 2024 for additional information relating to highways safety and vehicle movements to and from the site, which was detailed in the agenda report.

The vote was undertaken separately from the other three applications. The Committee voted against the officer recommendation to approve the application. Councillor T Mathews, seconded by Councillor M Dadd, put forward a motion to refuse EPF/0752/23 on the basis that the revised application EPF/1889/24 had been approved, but officers advised this was not a reason for refusal. Therefore, after some discussion between the Chairman and officers, the Committee instead voted unanimously that the application be deferred to give the applicant time to reconsider and possibly withdrawn the application.

RESOLVED:

The Committee voted to DEFER the application.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 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.

There was no other business raised at the meeting.