2 APRIL 2009
Minutes of a meeting of the DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE (WEST) held in the
Council Chamber, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 9.30 am when there were present:
Councillors
H C Cordeaux (Chairman)
J A Wyatt (Vice-Chairman)
Mrs P Bevan Jones
Mrs A R Green
T H Moore
J H Perry-Warnes
J D Savory
Miss P E Ford - substitute for Mrs A C Sweeney
Mrs G M D Lisher - substitute for P W High
Mrs B McGoun - substitute for S C Mears
Mrs A M Tillett - substitute for B Cabbell Manners
Mrs H T Nelson - Built Heritage and Natural Environment Champion
Officers
Mr R Howe - Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager
Mr G Lyon - Acting Development Control Manager (West)
Mr P Godwin - Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager
Mr G Linder - Senior Planning Officer (West)
Miss J Medler - Senior Planning Officer (West)
Mr P Rhymes - Conservation and Design Officer
(273) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DETAILS OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Cabbell Manners, P W High,
S C Mears and Mrs A C Sweeney. Four substitute Members attended the meeting
as shown above.
(274) MINUTES
The Minutes of a meeting of the Committee held on 5 March 2009 were approved as
a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
(275) ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there were no items of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Committee.
(276) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes declared an interest, the details of which are recorded
under the minute of the item concerned.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009
(277) EDGEFIELD - 01/027/DEV6/04/002 – Standing of mobile home for residential
use adjacent to Sand Loke
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes declared a prejudicial interest in this matter as the
owner was a distant relative and vacated the Council Chamber on the advice of the
Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager.
The Committee considered item 1 of the officers’ reports seeking authority for
prosecution concerning non-compliance with an enforcement notice.
Councillor Mrs B McGoun considered that if breaches of planning control were
allowed to continue it would send out the wrong message to others.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs A R Green, seconded by Councillor J A Wyatt and
RESOLVED unanimously
That the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to
commence prosecution proceedings pursuant to Section 179 of the
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended for non-compliance
with the Enforcement Notice in the event that the mobile home is not
removed by the end of August 2009.
(278) HOLT CONSERVATION
Proposals
AREA:
Character
Appraisal
and
Management
The Committee considered item 2 of the officers’ reports seeking approval of the
draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals for Holt for
public consultation.
The Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager introduced the report and
explained the background and purpose of the Character Appraisal and Management
Plan.
The Conservation and Design Officer outlined the key characteristics of the Holt
Conservation Area and the key issues that had been identified. He explained that
permitted development has resulted in the gradual erosion of architectural character
and loss of historic features. New developments tended not to reflect the historic
character of the town. He recommended that some of the more recent housing
developments including part of Valley Lane, the area to the south of Market Place
and the Town Close, Birchwood House area be removed from the Conservation Area
designation. There were a number of buildings within the Conservation Area which
were considered to be worthy of local listing. The ‘erosion of character’ due to
permitted development could possibly be tackled through the introduction of further
controls known as Article 4 Directions.
The Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager read to the Committee an email from
Councillor M J M Baker, a local Member, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Councillor Baker objected to the use of kilometres in the document. The Planning
Legal and Enforcement Manager explained that Government regulations required
metric measurements to be used. Councillor Baker had also expressed concern that
there was no mention of Bakers of Holt in the document. The Planning Legal and
Enforcement Manager quoted from the officers’ report which stated that the omission
of any particular building, feature or space should not be taken to imply that it is of no
interest. He also stated that the local Members would be able to participate in the
public consultation exercise.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009
Councillor Mrs H T Nelson, the Built Heritage Champion, considered that the draft
document was worthwhile and served as a ‘wake-up call’. She referred to
inappropriate shop fronts and the need for a car park.
In answer to Members’ questions the Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager
explained that there were a number of buildings which were regarded as being
worthy of local listing. He stated that there were several buildings in the High Street
and elsewhere which were not listed and local listing would give more weight to their
consideration in the planning process. Whilst the Conservation Area designation
offered some protection, local listing would give more emphasis. These buildings
may not be nationally important but were of great value at a local level and to local
people in particular.
In response to questions regarding the mix of shops the Conservation, Design and
Landscape Manager explained that the exterior of the buildings was important but in
order for the exterior to be successful it was necessary to have a successful interior
and a viable and economic use.. However, it was not possible, within any ‘Use
Class’ under the planning legislation, to specify the type of businesses that could go
into buildings.
The Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager stated that there were many
independent shops in Holt. All retail shops were in Use Class A1 and there was no
distinction between them. The Local Planning Authority had control over issues such
as signage but could not specify the ranges of goods which could be sold.
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes asked if the deletion of part of Valley Lane from the
Conservation Area would make any difference to the proposed car park. The
Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager confirmed that it would have no effect
on the car park proposal.
Councillor J A Wyatt was concerned at the possible loss of car parking spaces on
Shirehall Plain and requested that they remain in place until new car parking facilities
were available.
Councillor Mrs P Bevan Jones asked whether consideration had been given to the
trees within the Conservation Area. The Conservation, Design and Landscape
Manager confirmed that all trees had been assessed. The appraisal document
contained a map showing the location of all important trees.
Councillor Mrs G M D Lisher queried the budgetary implications of the management
proposals and if it was possible to carry out any changes. The Conservation, Design
and Landscape Manager stated that there were no immediate budgetary
implications. Much could be achieved within the planning system. However, there
would be budgetary implications if the Council were to become involved, in
conjunction with the County Council, in a major enhancement of the public realm.
The Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager stated that if quality places were
to be created for people to enjoy and businesses to prosper it was necessary to
strike a balance between cars, people and the environment. There were as yet no
proposals to enhance Shirehall Plain but it was one sit, amongst others, where there
were opportunities to improve the environment in the town centre, which could be
considered in the context of the wider transport and parking issues in the town.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009
Councillor T H Moore expressed concern that the Fakenham town centre
enhancement had resulted in the loss of short-stay car parking spaces and he did not
wish to see this happen in Holt. However Councillor Mrs G M D Lisher considered
that the overall improvement in the town centre at Fakenham had been a success,
partly because of the changes in parking.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs P Bevan Jones, seconded by Councillor Mrs B
McGoun and
RESOLVED unanimously
1.
That the Draft Character Appraisal and Management Plan incorporating
proposed boundary changes and Article 4(2) directions be approved for
public consultation purposes.
2.
That following consultation, the amended Holt Conservation Area
Character Appraisal and Management Proposals be brought back before
Committee for final adoption.
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 report of the Head of Planning and
Building Control, the Committee reached the decisions as set out below.
Applications approved include a standard time limit condition as condition number 1
unless otherwise stated.
(279) WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA - 20081736 - Continued use of former dwelling as
guesthouse; Boxwood Northfield Lane for Mr Ayres
Councillor J D Savory stated that he knew the applicant and had spoken to him on
the telephone and visited the site prior to the last meeting.
The Committee considered item 3 of the officers’ reports.
Councillor J D Savory, the local Member, stated that this was one of the most highly
regarded guesthouses in the town with a high number of repeat visitors because of
the high level of customer care. He considered that visibility to the east had been
improved considerably by the cutting back of a hedge by the applicant. Two parking
spaces had been secured nearby for use by the family. He stated that there had
been no cars on the day of the site visit although three of the four rooms had been
occupied the previous evening as some of the guests had arrived by public transport
and one had left that morning. He considered that the combined history of no
accidents or complaints and the improvements the applicant had made mitigated the
highway concerns and the application should be approved.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009
Councillor Mrs P Bevan Jones supported the local Member. She stated that holiday
accommodation was scarce, there were other parking facilities nearby and some
guests arrived by public transport. She considered that this application should be
approved.
Councillor Mrs A M Tillett considered that it was important to retain holiday
accommodation.
It was proposed by Councillor J D Savory, seconded by Councillor T H Moore and
RESOLVED by 9 votes to 0 with 1 abstention
That this application be approved subject to the imposition of
appropriate conditions.
Reasons: improvements have been made to the access, there is a need
to retain good quality holiday accommodation, there is no history of
accidents and guests can arrive by public transport.
(280) WEYBOURNE - 20090029 - Conversion of games room to one unit of holiday
accommodation; The Stables Bolding Way for Mr Harrison
Councillor H C Cordeaux vacated the Chair to allow him to speak from the floor as
local Member.
Councillor J A Wyatt (Vice-Chairman) in the Chair.
Councillor Mrs A R Green stated that she had met Mr Harrison.
The Committee considered item 4 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Harrison (supporting)
Councillor H C Cordeaux, the local Member, stated that whilst the access did not fulfil
the Highway Authority’s criteria there was a 20mph speed limit in force and other
nearby accesses were worse. The application had the full support of the Parish
Council.
In answer to a question the Acting Development Control Manager stated that in the
event of approval the outstanding sustainability issues could be covered by
conditions if the applicant was willing to accept them.
It was proposed by Councillor H C Cordeaux, duly seconded and
RESOLVED
That consideration of this application be deferred to allow a site
inspection by the Committee and that the local Member and Chairman of
the Parish Council be invited to attend.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009
(281) APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR A SITE INSPECTION
Councillor J D Savory stated that he did business with the applicant’s father and
would speak to the Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager regarding his interest.
The Committee considered item 5 of the officers’ reports.
RESOLVED
That consideration of the following applications be deferred to allow a
site inspection by the Committee and that the local Member and
Chairman of the Parish Council be invited to attend.
BINHAM - 20081110 - Variation of condition 8 of planning permission
20060688 to allow two pieces of plant to be stored on the wash-down
facility at any time; Manor Farm Field Dalling Road for Tracked Dumper
Hire UK
BINHAM - 20081111 - Use of land for storage of no more than ten items
of tracked dumper hire plant; Manor Farm Field Dalling Road for
Tracked Dumper Hire UK
BINHAM - 20090145 - Formation of hard standing for agricultural
equipment; Manor Farm Field Dalling Road for Taylor Farm Partnership
(282) APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 6 of the officers’ reports.
(283) APPLICATIONS REFUSED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 7 of the officers’ reports.
(284) NEW APPEALS
The Committee noted item 8 of the officers’ reports.
(285) PUBLIC INQUIRIES AND INFORMAL HEARINGS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 9 of the officers’ reports.
(286) WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS APPEALS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 10 of the officers’ reports.
(287) APPEAL DECISIONS
The Committee noted item 11 of the officers’ reports.
The meeting closed at 10.50 am.
Development Control Committee (West)
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2 April 2009