28 MAY 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)
B Cabbell Manners
Mrs A R Green
P W High
S C Mears
J D Savory
Mrs A C Sweeney
Mrs J Trett
Mrs P Bevan Jones - Sheringham North Ward
Mrs H T Nelson - Sheringham South Ward
Officers
Mr J Williams - Development Control Manager (East)
Mr R Howe - Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager
Mr G Linder - Senior Planning Officer (West)
Miss J Medler - Senior Planning Officer (West)
(19)
THE LATE COUNCILLOR T H MOORE
A minute’s silence was held for the late Councillor T H Moore, who had died
suddenly on 30 April 2009 after attending the previous meeting.
(20)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DETAILS OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS
An apology for absence was received from Councillor J H Perry-Warnes. There were
no substitute Members in attendance.
(21)
MINUTES
The Minutes of a meeting of the Committee held on 30 April 2009 were approved as
a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
(22)
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman stated that there was one item of urgent business which he wished to
bring before the Committee, relating to signage on premises in Fakenham. The
reason for urgency was to seek authority to serve a Discontinuance Notice if
necessary.
(23)
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No interests were declared.
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.
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28 May 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.
(24)
CLEY-NEXT-THE-SEA - 20090288 - Installation of first and second floor
windows and balconies; 1 Beau Rivage for Mr Johnson-Watts
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.
The Committee considered item 1 of the officers’ reports.
The Senior Planning Officer reported that an amended plan had been received in
respect of the design of the balconies. She reported that the Conservation, Design
and Landscape Manager had no objection to the amended plan as the revised
design would result in a more refined and lightweight structure.
The Senior Planning Officer requested delegated authority to approve this application
subject to no new grounds of objection being received from the Parish Council in
respect of the amended plan and subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions
to include materials.
Councillor H C Cordeaux commented that there had originally been a window in the
top of the gable. Whilst the proposal would introduce more glazing to the gable it
was on the north facing elevation and would not therefore reflect the sun.
It was proposed by Councillor B Cabbell Manners, seconded by Councillor Mrs J
Trett and
RESOLVED by 6 votes to 0 with 1 abstention
That the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to
approve this application subject to no new grounds of objection being
received from the Parish Council in respect of the amended plan and
subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions to include materials.
(25)
HOLT - 20090397 - Conversion of stable to two-storey dwelling and erection of
two two-storey dwellings ; rear of, 27 High Street for C T Baker Ltd
The Committee considered item 2 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Pert (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer reported that an amended plan had been received. The
Town Council had objected on grounds related to access from the busy High Street
and traffic problems. The Conservation, Design and Landscape Manager had no
Development Control Committee (West)
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28 May 2009
objection in principle to change of use of the stable building or erection of the two
additional dwellings. The Sustainability Co-ordinator had no objection subject to
conditions. The Environmental Protection Officer had no objection subject to details
of bin storage.
The Senior Planning Officer recommended refusal on overdevelopment grounds.
Councillor P W High considered that the revised design was not an improvement on
the original design and that the scheme would overdevelop the site. He also had
concerns regarding the access. He considered that single-storey accommodation
would be preferable.
Councillor Mrs A C Sweeney considered that car parking spaces should be provided
for any development in Holt due to the lack of public transport in the evenings.
It was proposed by Councillor P W High, seconded by Councillor J A Wyatt and
RESOLVED unanimously
That this application be refused on overdevelopment grounds.
(26)
SHERINGHAM - 20090203 - Erection of two semi-detached two-storey
dwellings; Garage Court Lawson Way for Flagship Housing Group
The Committee considered item 3 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mr Short (supporting)
The Senior Planning Officer reported that Beeston Regis Parish Council supported
this application. He requested delegated authority to approve this application subject
to no objections from the Community Safety Manager and subject to the imposition of
appropriate conditions to include the use of obscured glazing to the ground and first
floor windows to each gable.
Councillor Mrs P Bevan Jones, a local Member, stated that as Cabinet Member for
Strategic Housing she recognised the need for affordable housing and the site
appeared to be an ideal location. However, the site provided valuable space for
parking and access to the adjacent playing field. She stated that there was
inadequate parking space for residents of Lawson Way. She considered that child
safety would be compromised by blocking the access and the view of the field from
dwellings in Lawson Way. She requested a site inspection.
The Senior Planning Officer explained that that a link to the playing field would be
retained. There was no legal right for residents to park on the land and it could be
fenced off at any time.
Councillor Mrs H T Nelson, Member for Sheringham South, considered that it was
necessary to have a report in respect of Section 17 issues from the Community
Safety Manager. She supported the request for a site inspection.
Councillor B Cabbell Manners considered that the proposal would be improved by
repositioning the dwellings to allow the access to the playing field to be widened. He
proposed delegated approval of this application subject to increasing the width of the
access. This was seconded by Councillor J D Savory.
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28 May 2009
As an amendment, it was proposed by Councillor P W High, seconded by Councillor
Mrs J Trett
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.
On being put to the vote the amendment was declared carried by 4 votes to 2 with 1
abstention and on being put as the substantive proposition it was RESOLVED
unanimously.
The Committee requested that officers should discuss with the applicants the
possibility of widening the access.
(27)
WALSINGHAM - 20090181 - Erection of garages and boat store; 45a
Scarborough Road for Mrs J Wilson
The Committee considered item 4 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speakers
Mrs Stanley (objecting)
Mrs Wilson (supporting)
Councillor J D Savory, a local Member, acknowledged the concerns of the
neighbours and the Parish Council but the access was not an issue to be considered
under this application and the Highway Authority had raised no objection to this
application. He had no objection in principle to the garage and boat store but he
considered that additional planting to the eastern side would protect the privacy of
the neighbours.
Councillor Mrs A R Green suggested that cladding be added to the rear of the
building to soften its appearance.
The Senior Planning Officer agreed that it would be preferable to soften the
appearance of the building but he considered that it would be unreasonable to
request both cladding and planting.
It was proposed by Councillor J D Savory, seconded by Councillor Mrs J Trett and
RESOLVED unanimously
That this application be approved subject to the imposition of
appropriate conditions to include a requirement to the use the building
solely as a garage/boat store in association with the existing dwelling
and not as habitable accommodation, to prevent the building being
sold, leased or occupied independently from the main dwelling and to
require additional landscaping to the rear of the building.
(28)
WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA - 20090333 - Erection of single-storey dwelling with
accommodation in roofspace; Wingate Two Furlong Hill for Mrs Richards
The Committee considered item 5 of the officers’ reports.
Public Speaker
Mrs Price (objecting)
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28 May 2009
The Senior Planning Officer reported that an amended plan had been received. She
read to the Committee the comments of the Highway Authority which had no
objection provided that the required visibility splay could be achieved, otherwise it
would object on grounds of inadequate visibility. The applicant’s agent had
confirmed that it was proposed to use clay tiles and install a sewage treatment plant.
The Building Control Manager had no objection. The Environment Agency had no
objection subject to details of the sewage treatment plant being provided and a
percolation test being carried out.
The Senior Planning Officer requested delegated authority to approve this application
subject to no objections from the Highway Authority in respect of satisfactory
resolution of the access issues and the imposition of appropriate conditions.
Councillor Mrs J Trett, a local Member, questioned why the dwelling was proposed to
be sited so close to the boundary given the amount of space available. She
considered that the proposed dwelling was out of proportion with Wingate.
Councillor J D Savory also considered that the proposed dwelling was too close to
the boundary.
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs J Trett, seconded by Councillor J D Savory and
RESOLVED
That consideration of this application be deferred to allow a site
inspection by the Committee and that the local Members and Chairman
of the Town Council be invited to attend.
The Development Control Manager suggested that the agent be requested to provide
a plan showing the relationship with neighbouring dwellings. Councillor S C Mears
requested a plan indicating the shadowing effect of the proposed dwelling.
(29)
APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR A SITE INSPECTION
The Committee considered item 6 of the officers’ reports.
RESOLVED
That consideration of the following 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.
GREAT RYBURGH – 20090432 – Conversion and extension of former
granary to form nine affordable residential dwellings; The Granary
Station Road for Michael McNamara Associates
The Committee agreed that site inspections would take place on Friday 19 June as
both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman would be unable to attend on 18 June.
(30)
APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 7 of the officers’ reports.
(31)
APPLICATIONS REFUSED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
The Committee noted item 8 of the officers’ reports.
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(32)
NEW APPEALS
The Committee noted item 9 of the officers’ reports.
(33)
PUBLIC INQUIRIES AND INFORMAL HEARINGS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 10 of the officers’ reports.
(34)
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS APPEALS - PROGRESS
The Committee noted item 11 of the officers’ reports.
(35)
APPEAL DECISIONS
The Committee noted item 12 of the officers’ reports.
(36)
QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT
The Development Control Manager presented the quarterly performance report
which had been published in the Members’ Bulletin (issue 499 - 6 May).
The
Committee noted the report.
(37)
SIGNAGE AT MARKET PLACE, FAKENHAM
The Chairman stated that he had determined that this item be considered as a matter
of urgency pursuant to the powers vested in him by Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local
Government Act 1972.
The Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager displayed photographs showing
signage that had been erected on the former Woolworths building in Market Place,
Fakenham by the new lessees, Warehouse Clearance Shops. The signage and
surrounding fascia were painted in garish colours in a very prominent site in the
Conservation Area. No complaints had been received from the Town Council or
other parties in respect of the signage. However, the issue had been brought to his
attention by a member of staff. He explained that it was possible to serve a
Discontinuance Notice to require the removal of the sign within eight weeks.
The Planning Legal and Enforcement Manager requested delegated authority to
serve a Discontinuance Notice unless a more acceptable solution could be achieved.
Councillor B Cabbell Manners considered that the sign itself would be acceptable if
the surrounding fascia was painted in a more appropriate colour. Councillor S C
Mears supported this suggestion.
RESOLVED
That the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to serve a
Discontinuance Notice unless the fascia surrounding the sign is painted
in an appropriate colour.
The meeting closed at 11.00 am.
Development Control Committee (West)
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28 May 2009