30 OCTOBER 2014
Minutes of a meeting of the DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber,
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 9.30 am when there were present:
Councillors
Mrs S Arnold (Chairman)
Mr R Reynolds (Vice Chairman)
Mrs L M Brettle
Mrs A R Green
Mrs P Grove-Jones
Mr P High
Miss B Palmer
Mr J H Perry-Warnes
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mrs A Sweeney
Mrs V Uprichard
Mr J A Wyatt
Mr P Terrington - substitute for Mr M Baker
Other Members present: Mr P Moore, Mrs A Moore & Mrs V Gay
Officers
Mr A Mitchell – Development Manager
Mr R Howe – Planning Legal Manager
Mr G Linder – Senior Planning Officer
Mrs M Moore – Senior Planning Officer
Mrs N Turner – Housing Strategy Team Leader
(112) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DETAILS OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mr M Baker. One substitute
Member attended the meeting as shown above.
(113) MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 October 2014 were approved
as a correct record save that Minute (102) was corrected to state that the Chairman
added that “the conveyor serving the silos was quiet when the silos were full, but
noisy when empty.” The Minutes were signed by the Chairman as a correct record
with this amendment.
(114) ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
Application PF/14/1126 – Erection of a single storey dwelling at St Austin’s Grove,
Sheringham was raised as an item of urgent business following a Member’s request
that that the Committee undertake a site visit.
(115) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
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30 October 2014
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Where appropriate the Planning Officers expanded on the planning applications;
updated the meeting on outstanding consultations, letters/petitions received objecting
to, or supporting the proposals; referred to any views of local Members and
answered Members’ questions.
Background papers, including correspondence, petitions, consultation documents,
letters of objection and those in support of planning applications were available for
inspection at the meeting.
Having regard to the above information and the Officers’ report, the Committee
reached the decisions as set out below.
Applications approved include a standard time limit condition as condition number 1
unless otherwise stated.
(116) BLAKENEY - PF/14/0954 – Erection of two-storey and single-storey extensions
to link dwelling and annexe, single storey extension to annexe and erection of
boat store to front elevation of annexe; 50 High Street for Mr & Mrs M Archer
The Committee considered item 1 of the Officers’ reports.
The Senior Planning Officer reported that the Highway Authority had expressed
concern over safety as vehicles would need to reverse into the street.
The Senior Planning Officer recommended that given the concerns of the Highway
Authority the application be refused on grounds of highway safety.
Councillor Mrs L Brettle, Ward Member, queried the ownership of the passageway for
cars and whether the first two houses had the right to use the space.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs L Brettle, seconded by Councillor Mr R Shepherd
and
RESOLVED unanimously
That the Committee undertakes a site visit and that the Chairman of the
Parish Council and the Highway Authority be invited to attend.
(117) BODHAM - PF/14/0859 – Erection of sixteen dwellings; Land at Hall Close for
Broadland Housing Association
The Committee considered item 2 of the Officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr H Bruford (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer recommended a delegation of powers to the Head of
Planning to approve this application subject to completion of Section 106 agreement
and the imposition of conditions included in the report, and any other conditions
considered to be appropriate by the Head of Planning.
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30 October 2014
The Housing Team Leader - Strategy said that comparisons should not be made with
the previous shared ownership homes provided on the first exception housing
scheme in Bodham. The issue then was around the availability of mortgages in
January 2008, which was very different. The shared ownership homes proposed will
provide people with the opportunity to own a house.
Councillor Mr J Perry-Warnes commented that the people of Bodham were in favour
of the scheme.
Councillor Mrs A Sweeney agreed and said that the site was dormant land and that
housing was needed in Bodham which created an ideal opportunity.
Councillor Mr P Terrington asked whether the shared ownership homes would be
sold as privately owned homes if they remained empty.
The Housing Team Leader - Strategy said that no issues were anticipated, however
the homes could not be sold on the open market if they were not occupied through
the shared ownership scheme, and the Section 106 Agreement would ensure that
they would remain as affordable housing.
Councillor Mr R Reynolds informed Members that a similar scheme of shared
ownership houses in Fakenham had been very successful.
It was proposed by Councillor Mr J Perry-Warnes, seconded by Councillor Mrs A
Sweeney and
RESOLVED unanimously
That the Head of Planning be authorised to approve this application
subject to the prior completion of section 106 agreement and subject to
the conditions set out in the report.
(118) LETHERINGSETT WITH GLANDFORD – PF/14/1085 - Conversion of stables to
dwelling; The Stables, Home Farm House, Blakeney Road for Mr R Garnett
The Committee considered item 3 of the Officers’ reports.
Public Speakers
Dr J Whitely (objecting)
Mr P Johnson (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer stated that application PF/14/1086 which also related to
this site had been withdrawn and therefore the submitted plans had been amended
following the removal of the changes to The Dairy (as detailed in item 119).
The Senior Planning Officer recommended that authority be given to the Head of
Planning to approve this application as stated in the report.
Councillor Mrs L Brettle, Ward Member, expressed her support for the application
and said that the development would add to the area.
The Planning Legal Manager advised Members that issues relating to access to the
site concerned were civil matters and should not be taken into account in the
decision whether to approve or refuse the application.
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30 October 2014
Councillor Mr P High commented that the site visit had been very informative. He
stated that he thought the application should be refused because of traffic issues and
by reason of over-development.
Members expressed concerns regarding the removal of a flint wall to allow access
and the position of the car parking and the amount of space available.
It was proposed by Councillor Mr R Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Mrs S Arnold
and
RESOLVED by 8 votes to 6
That authority be granted to the Head of Planning to approve this
application subject to the receipt of a plan showing a satisfactory
revised parking arrangements to include the retention of the courtyard
wall and appropriate conditions.
(119) LETHERINGSETT WITH GLANDFORD – PF/14/1086 - Conversion of former
dairy building to a dwelling; The Dairy, Home Farm House, Blakeney Road for
Mr R Garnett
This application was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
(120) LETHERINGSETT WITH GLANDFORD - PF/14/1087 - Conversion of coach
house and stable to dwelling; The Coach House, Home Farm House, Blakeney
Road for Mr R Garnett
The Committee considered item 5 of the Officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Dr J Whitely (objecting)
The Senior Planning Officer recommended that authority be given to the Head of
Planning to approve this application as stated in the report.
Councillor Mrs L Brettle, Ward Member, said that the conversion created no further
intrusion onto the Glaven Valley and that she thought the property should be
preserved. She added that she supported the application and suggested screening
for vehicles.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs L Brettle, seconded by Councillor Mr R Reynolds
and
RESOLVED by 10 votes to 4
That authority be granted to the Head of Planning to approve this
application in accordance with the report to the Committee.
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30 October 2014
(121) NORTH WALSHAM - PF/14/0952 – Erection of subterranean dwelling; Land off
Field Lane, Scarborough Hill for Mr & Mrs Bird
The Committee considered item 6 of the Officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr R Bird (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer showed Members an amended plan of the site which
included the addition of a passing bay in Field Lane as well as the lowering of the
bank at the junction with Yarmouth Road, in order to address concerns raised by the
Highway Authority.
The Senior Planning Officer recommended refusal of the application as stated in the
report.
Councillor Mr P Moore, Ward Member, expressed his strong support for the
application. He said that the development would make use of an otherwise unusable
site as it had been a land fill site. Councillor Mr P Moore said that the objections
raised with regard to traffic were inane when comparing domestic traffic of one family
to the amount of lorries that used the lane when it was a land fill site.
Councillor Mr P Moore said that there were public benefits from the proposed
landscape enhancement and public access and that these should be sufficient to
warrant approval.
Members discussed the concerns of the Highways Authority but did agree with
Councillor Mr P Moore upon the comparison of lorries and domestic traffic.
The Senior Planning Officer advised Members that in the opinion of Officers the
proposal did not comply with paragraph 55 of the National Planning Policy
Framework. In his view although the design was interesting, it could not be
considered as either innovative or outstanding.
Councillor Mrs P Grove-Jones said that she thought it was an innovative and good
use of the land and that the only negative would be that the site is in the countryside
and outside the area where development would be acceptable.
The Planning Legal Manager advised the Committee on issues of materiality and
weight in the determination of planning applications and also outlined conditions
which the Committee may wish to have imposed on the permission, should the
Committee wish to approve this application.
Members considered that the development involved a brownfield site and would
result in a reduction in traffic movements. They agreed with Councillor Moore in that
this and the benefits he had referred to previously outweighed the policy concerns.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs L Brettle, seconded by Councillor R Shepherd and
RESOLVED by 11 votes to 2
That this application be approved subject to the imposition of
appropriate conditions including provision of a passing bay, and
junction improvements, landscaping and removal of permitted
development rights.
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30 October 2014
(122) NORTH WALSHAM - PF/14/1003 – Removal of Condition 1 of planning
permission ref. 13/0417 requiring the construction of attenuation pond;
Davenports Magic Kingdom, Cromer Road for Davenports Magic Kingdom
The Committee considered item 7 of the Officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Wagstaff (objecting)
The Senior Planning Officer reported that there had been no evidence of flooding at
the site and recommended that the company should be allowed to continue operating
without the attenuation pond. He stated that there were financial reasons why the
pond had not been constructed, which were out of Davenports Magic Kingdom’s
control.
The Environmental Protection Officer had reported that there was no evidence of
flooding and that the company had not contributed to any flooding at the site.
The Senior Planning Officer recommended approval of this application on the
grounds that the entertainment centre be allowed to trade for a further two years
without the need to provide a second attenuation reservoir and that during this period
monitoring of the site continues to ensure that there are no issues of off-site flooding.
Councillor Mrs V Gay, Ward Member, stated that the situation was a difficult one as
there were financial implications on both sides and that the flooding problems had not
been caused by Mr Davenport. She added that she was mindful that the Council had
had one year to monitor the situation already. Mrs V Gay said that it was a vital site
for North Walsham, and district-wide, for employment and that the Council should
take a more active role in resolving the issue. She suggested that the condition was
not removed but questioned whether two years was too long a time frame. North
Walsham Town Council had suggested one year.
Councillor Mrs A Moore, Ward Member, agreed with Councillor Mrs V Gay and
added that monies were available but that the responsibility fell to Citygate the
owners of the site. She said that the year suggested should not be for monitoring the
site but to allow time for Citygate to install the reservoir. Councillor Mrs A Moore
added that pressure should be put on Citygate to fulfil their responsibilities.
Councillor Mr R Terrington said that there was no doubt that a second attenuation
pond was needed as the existing pond overflows and floods farmland.
Councillor Mr R Reynolds said that from an engineering viewpoint the flooding was
not from Davenports as the swales they had installed to help tackle the issue were
always empty.
The Committee discussed whether two years was too long a time frame and whether
one year was long enough when considering average rainfall.
The Senior Planning Officer agreed that Davenports Magic Kingdom had done what
they could by installing the swales and that the attenuation pond was the
responsibility of Citygate who were in discussions with a Corporate Director.
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30 October 2014
It was proposed by Councillor Mr R Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Mr B Smith
and
RESOLVED by 11 votes to 3
That this application be approved on the grounds that the entertainment
centre is allowed to trade for a further two years without the need to
provide a second attenuation reservoir and that during this period,
monitoring of the site continues to ensure that there are no issues of
off-site flooding. In addition a letter be sent from the Committee to
Citygate seeking assurance of their intention to construct the
attenuation reservoir.
(123) APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR A SITE INSPECTION
The Committee considered item 8 of the Officer’s reports and the following item of
urgent business.
The Development Manager reported that a local Member had requested that the
Committee undertake a site inspection in respect of a planning application for the
erection of a single storey dwelling at St Austin’s Grove, Sheringham reference
PF/14/1126.
RESOLVED
That the Committee undertakes the following site inspection and that
the local Members and Town Mayor or Chairman of the Parish Council
be invited to attend:
SHERINGHAM – PF/14/0887 – Partial demolition of hotel and erection of
six residential apartments and single storey rear extension to hotel;
Burlington Hotel, The Esplanade for Mr McDermott
FULMODESTON – PF/14/0956 – Erection of three duck rearing units to
house 36,000 birds; Clipstone Farm house, Clipston for Ralph Harrison
and Partners
BLAKENEY - PF/14/0954 – Erection of two-storey and single-storey
extensions to link dwelling and annexe, single storey extension to
annexe and erection of boat store to front elevation of annexe; 50 High
Street for Mr & Mrs M Archer
SHERINGHAM PF/14/1126 – Erection of a single storey dwelling;
Threeways, 47 St Austin’s Grove for Ms J Rayner and Ms S Thirtle
The site visits will take place on 20 November 2014.
(124) APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 9 of the Officers’ reports.
(125) APPLICATIONS REFUSED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 10 of the Officers’ reports.
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30 October 2014
(126) NEW APPEALS
The Committee noted item 11 of the Officers’ reports.
(127) PUBLIC INQUIRIES AND INFORMAL HEARINGS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 12 of the Officers’ reports.
(128) WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS APPEALS - IN HAND
The Committee noted item 13 of the Officers’ reports.
(129) APPEAL DECISIONS – RESULTS AND SUMMARIES
None.
(130) COURT CASES – PROGRESS AND RESULTS
The Planning Legal Manager updated the Committee on current cases.
The meeting closed at 12.22 pm.
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30 October 2014