20 AUGUST 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 A R Green
P W High
S C Mears
J H Perry-Warnes
Mrs A C Sweeney
Mrs J Trett
Mrs A M Tillett - substitute for J D Savory
Mrs P Bevan Jones - Sheringham North Ward
Officers
Mr G Lyon - Acting Development Control Manager (East)
Mr R Howe - Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager
Mr G Linder - Senior Planning Officer (West)
Miss T Lincoln - Planning Officer (West)
Mr D Mortimer - NCC Development Control Officer (Highways)
(80)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DETAILS OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Cabbell Manners and J
Savory. There was one substitute Member in attendance as shown above.
(81)
MINUTES
The Minutes of a meeting of the Committee held on 23 July 2009 were approved as a
correct record and signed by the Chairman.
(82)
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there were no items of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Committee.
(83)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors H C Cordeaux, Mrs A R Green, J H Perry-Warnes and Mrs A C Sweeney
declared interests, the details of which are recorded under the minute of the item
concerned.
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.
Development Control Committee (West)
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20 August 2009
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.
(84)
FAKENHAM - 20090364 - Erection of four three-storey dwellings; 25 Nelson
Road for Nelson Grove Development Limited
The Committee considered item 1 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Evennett (supporting)
The Planning Officer reported that an amended site plan was still awaited. The agent
had provided information in respect of the proposed dwelling heights.
Councillor S C Mears, a local Member, considered that the third storey on plots 5 and
6 would overlook the garden of the neighbouring dwelling.
Members suggested ways of overcoming the concerns regarding overlooking by
lowering the height of the dwellings, resiting the dwellings or relocating the dormers
to the opposite elevation.
Councillor Mrs A M Tillett considered that the dwellings would be very dominant in
the landscape, were too urban in appearance and would not blend in with the
adjacent countryside.
The Acting Development Control Manager stated that the dwellings were the same
height as the adjacent development. He stated that any alterations in respect of
windows had to comply with means of escape requirements. Siting had been
approved at outline application stage.
It was proposed by Councillor S C Mears, seconded by Councillor Mrs J Trett
That the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to
approve this application subject to negotiations in respect of removal of
the dormer windows overlooking the neighbouring dwelling.
On being put to the vote, 4 Members voted in favour of the proposition and two
against with one abstention, whereupon it was RESOLVED on the casting vote of the
Chairman.
(85)
SALTHOUSE - 20090434 - Erection of two-storey front extension, single- storey
side extension and dormer window; The Patch Coast Road for Mr Colman
Councillor H C Cordeaux vacated the Chair during consideration of this application to
allow him to speak from the floor as local Member.
Councillor J A Wyatt (Vice-Chairman) in the Chair.
Development Control Committee (West)
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20 August 2009
The Committee considered item 2 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Colman (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer reported that a further amended plan had been received.
The applicant proposed to cover the glass with a film which reflected light back into
the room and install non-intensive lighting. The Environmental Protection Officer
had stated that there was no legislative control over dark skies and did not consider
that the proposal would result in light pollution. The Conservation, Design and
Landscape Manager had no objection in respect of materials. He had advised
caution in respect of unnecessary light pollution and considered that whether or not it
constituted a nuisance would depend on how the space was used.
The Senior Planning Officer stated that in officers’ opinion there were insufficient
grounds to refuse this application in respect of light pollution. He recommended
approval of this application.
Councillor H C Cordeaux, the local Member, stated that Salthouse was a small,
unspoilt village overlooking marshland of international importance. He stated that the
dwelling was in an elevated position and he considered that the design of the glazed
extension was out of character with the village. He considered that the proposal
would cause excessive light pollution. He proposed deferral of this application to
negotiate a traditional design more in keeping with Salthouse. This was seconded by
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes.
As an amendment, it was proposed by Councillor S C Mears, seconded by Councillor
P W High, that this application be approved subject to the imposition of appropriate
conditions.
On being put to the vote, 4 Members voted in favour of the amendment with 4
against. The amendment was declared lost on the casting vote of the Chairman.
The original proposition was put to the vote, with 4 Members voting in favour of the
proposition and 4 against. On the casting vote of the Chairman it was
RESOLVED
That consideration of this application be deferred to negotiate a
traditional design more in keeping with Salthouse.
(86)
SHERINGHAM - 20090649 - Erection of single-storey front extension and porch;
6a North Street for Mr and Mrs Bentley
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes declared a personal interest in this application as he
knew Mr Bentley.
The Committee considered item 3 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speakers
Mr McGinn (Sheringham Town Council)
Mr Bentley (supporting)
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20 August 2009
Councillor Mrs P Bevan Jones, a local Member, stated that she had visited the site
and had been inside the property. She read an email from Councillor Mrs J P Moss
who supported this application but expressed a preference for a sloping roof instead
of a flat roof as proposed. She reported that Councillors B J Hannah and Mrs H T
Nelson also supported the application. She requested approval of this application or
a site inspection.
Councillors S C Mears and J H Perry-Warnes considered that a sloping roof would
be preferable. The Acting Development Control Manager explained that a previous
application which included a sloping roof was refused on grounds that it failed to
preserve the character of the Conservation Area.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs A M Tillett, seconded by Councillor J A Wyatt and
RESOLVED by 4 votes to 3 with 1 abstention
That this application be refused on grounds that the proposed sitting
room extension would fail to preserve or enhance the character of the
Conservation Area contrary to the requirements of Policies EN4 and
EN8 of the adopted North Norfolk Core Strategy.
(87)
SUSTEAD - 20090590 - Continued use of land for maize maze open to visiting
members of the public and winter storage of equipment and structures; Hall
Farm Cromer Road Metton for Mr Harrison
Councillor Mrs A C Sweeney declared a personal interest in this application as she
had spoken to Mr Harrison and also knew him in his capacity as a member of
Sustead Parish Council.
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes declared a personal interest in this application as he
knew Mr Harrison and had met with him.
Councillor Mrs A R Green declared a personal interest in this application as she
knew Mr Harrison.
Councillor H C Cordeaux declared a personal interest in this application as he knew
Mr Harrison.
The Committee considered item 4 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Harrison (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer reported that an email had been received from the
applicant stating that he would not agree to the Highway Authority’s requirements for
the provision of passing bays as the amount of traffic did not warrant such
expenditure. He had stated that no accidents had occurred as a result of the
operation of the business over the last 7 years.
The Senior Planning Officer reported that the Parish Council supported this
application and considered that the facility provided valuable summer employment in
the area. He reported that Councillor Mrs S A Arnold had commented that Felbrigg
Parish Council was unhappy with the amount of traffic which could be generated.
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20 August 2009
Councillor Mrs A C Sweeney, the local Member, stated that she had driven around
the area and had not encountered any problems. She could not envisage a problem
given the seasonal nature of the attraction.
Councillor Mrs A M Tillett stated that she frequently travelled along the road and was
not aware of any traffic problems.
Councillor S C Mears stated that farm diversification was necessary for agricultural
enterprises to survive.
Councillor J H Perry-Warnes considered that the road was not narrow and two cars
could normally pass.
The Development Control Officer (Highways) explained that verge overruns were
occurring and a large amount of money had been spent to repair them. He stated
that if permanent permission were given the applicant would be required to hard
surface the access.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs A M Tillett, seconded by Councillor Mrs A R Green
and
RESOLVED unanimously
That this application be approved subject to hard surfacing of the
access and subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.
Reasons: The Committee recognises that the use is seasonal and
limited to a few weeks of the year. The attraction is of considerable
benefit to the local tourist industry and is a form of farm diversification.
It is also recognised that there are unmetalled passing bays.
(88)
TATTERSETT - 20090575 - Erection of two-storey front extension; 18
Wellington Crescent Sculthorpe for Mrs Taylor
The Committee considered item 5 of the officers’ reports.
The Senior Planning Officer reported the views of Councillor Miss D A Wakefield, the
local Member, who objected to this application on grounds that the size and position
of the extension would be out of character with the street scene, detract from the
original MOD layout and the proposal would be likely to set a precedent.
Councillor J A Wyatt considered that a hipped roof would be preferable.
Councillor Mrs A M Tillett stated that the dwellings were no longer owned by the
MOD. She considered that the current owners should be allowed to individualise
their properties.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs A M Tillett, duly seconded and
RESOLVED unanimously
That this application be approved subject to the roof being hipped and
subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.
Development Control Committee (West)
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20 August 2009
(89)
APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR A SITE INSPECTION
The Committee considered item 6 of the officers’ reports.
RESOLVED
That consideration of this application be deferred to allow a site
inspection by the Committee and that the local Members and Town
Mayor be invited to attend:
SHERINGHAM – 20090777 – Erection of A1 (retail supermarket) and D1
(Norfolk Food Academy) with associated kitchen garden, parking,
landscaping and infrastructure; Sheringham Town Allotments, land
south of A149 Weybourne Road for Greenhouse Community Projects
(90)
APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 7 of the officers’ reports.
(91)
APPLICATIONS REFUSED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 8 of the officers’ reports.
(92)
NEW APPEALS
The Committee noted item 9 of the officers’ reports.
(93)
PUBLIC INQUIRIES AND INFORMAL HEARINGS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 10 of the officers’ reports.
(94)
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS APPEALS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 11 of the officers’ reports.
(95)
APPEAL DECISIONS
The Committee noted item 12 of the officers’ reports.
(96)
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED
That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press
and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of
business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of
exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 12A
(as amended) to the Act.
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20 August 2009
(97)
PLANNING ENFORCEMENT SCHEDULE OF CURRENT CASES
The Committee considered item 13 of the officers’ exempt reports updating the
situation previously reported concerning the schedule of outstanding enforcement
cases and unresolved complaints more than three months old as at 30 June 2009.
RESOLVED
1.
That the contents of the report and the annexed Schedules of Current
Enforcement Cases be noted.
2.
That the cases where compliance has been achieved be removed from
the first Schedule.
The meeting closed at 10.50 am.
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20 August 2009