Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER

Contact: Democratic Services  01799 510369

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ryles.

 

Councillor Fairhurst declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Saffron Walden Town Council.

 

2.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2018 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

3.

UTT/18/1011/OP - Land West of Maranello, Watch House Green, Felsted pdf icon PDF 261 KB

To consider application UTT/18/1011/OP.

Minutes:

The proposal was for an outline application, with appearance, landscaping and scale reserved, for the construction of 28 new dwellings, including 11 affordable homes, formation of new vehicular access, associated local area for play, parking and landscaping.

 

Councillors discussed that this application could undermine the work of the Neighbourhood Plan which was in its early stages, and the impacts and benefits to the community of this proposed development.

 

            Councillor Gerard proposed to reject the application. Councillor Fairhurst seconded this motion.

 

            RESOLVED to refuse the application for the following reasons:

 

1)    The proposal would adversely affect the rural character of the area, in conflict with Policy S7 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005) and the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

2)    The application does not include a mechanism to secure suitable affordable housing provision, in conflict with Policy H9 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005).

 

3)    The application does not include a mechanism to secure suitable contributions towards education in conflict with Policy GEN6 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005).

 

 

            A Storah, R Ramm and M Calder spoke on this application.

 

4.

UTT/18/0784/OP - Land East & North Clifford Smith Drive, Watch House Green, Felsted pdf icon PDF 286 KB

To consider application UTT/18/0784/OP.

Minutes:

The proposal was for an outline application with all matters reserved, except for access, for the erection of up to 30 dwellings served via new access from Clifford Smith Drive, complete with related infrastructure, open space and landscaping.

           

Members raised concerns that the application, if approved, would undermine the work of the Neighbourhood Plan which was in its early stages and whether the benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the harm to the local community and surrounding countryside 

 

Councillors also discussed that the housing needs report for the area had already been met with the existing adjacent development.

 

            Councillor Gerard proposed to refuse the application. Councillor Fairhurst seconded this motion.

           

            RESOLVED to refuse the application for the following reasons:

 

1)    The proposal would adversely affect the rural character of the area, in conflict with PolicyS7 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005) and the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

2)    The application does not include a mechanism to secure suitable affordable housing provision, in conflict with Policy H9 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005).

 

3)    The application does not include a mechanism to secure suitable contributions towards education in conflict with Policy GEN6 of the Uttlesford Local Plan (adopted 2005).

 

            A Storah, R Ramm and C Loon spoke on this application.

 

5.

UTT/18/1299/FUL - Site at Thaxted Road Former Civic Amenity and Granite Site, Thaxted Road, Saffron Walden pdf icon PDF 375 KB

To consider application UTT/18/1299/FUL.

Minutes:

            The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3.25pm. The meeting was reconvened at 3.30pm.

 

The application was for amendments to planning application UTT/13/0268/FUL, incorporating amendments approved under UTT/17/1782/FUL, to allow the change of use of Unit 3 from Class A1 retail to Class D2 Gym.

 

            Councillor Mills proposed to approve the application. Councillor Chambers seconded this motion.

 

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to a Section 106 Agreement, the conditions in the report, and the following amended condition;

 

26.       Unit 3 hereby permitted shall be used for a gym/health and fitness facility and for no other purpose (including any other purpose within Classes D2) of the Schedule of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes Order) 1987, or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

 

REASON: To define the scope of the permission and so as to not cause unacceptable harm to the vitality and viability of the town centre or the surrounding locality, in accordance with NPPF.

 

S Stephen spoke on this item.

 

6.

UTT/17/3540/FUL - Land To The North Of 35 To 40, Hanover Place, Saffron Walden pdf icon PDF 237 KB

To consider application UTT/17/3540/FUL.

Minutes:

The applicant sought full planning permission for the erection of a single dwelling. The application proposed a ground floor comprising of a study, utility room, cloakroom, kitchen, dining area, living room and a reception room/bedroom, and 3 bedrooms and bathrooms on the floor above.

 

Councillor Mills proposed to defer this application in order to visit the site. Councillor Chambers seconded this motion.

           

RESOLVED that the application be deferred.

 

Cllr Light spoke on this item.

 

7.

UTT/18/0569/FUL - Myco Garden Centre, Elder Street, Wimbish pdf icon PDF 161 KB

To consider application UTT/18/0569/FUL.

Minutes:

The application sought planning permission for the change of use of the building from an office/storage unit to a retail/take way unit, to allow the sale of pre-prepared sandwiches, cakes and snacks, pre-packaged tea and coffee, and arts and crafts items.

 

Councillor Chambers proposed to approve the application. Councillor Mills seconded this motion.

 

RESOLVED: Permission granted subject to the conditions in the report.

 

8.

UTT/18/1298/LB - Police Station, East Street, Saffron Walden pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To consider application UTT/18/1298/LB.

Minutes:

The application was for listed building consent to form a new pedestrian access to existing front boundary wall along East Street, which forms part of the Grade II listing.

 

Members considered the application and concerns were raised regarding the issue of piecemeal planning and ‘application by stealth’.

 

The Legal Officer asked the Development Management Team Leader to confirm for the benefit of the Committee, that the application was purely to pierce the wall for a gate, and she confirmed that this was the case. Members could only consider the application before them.

 

 

Councillor Chambers proposed to approve the application. Councillor Mills seconded this motion.

 

RESOLVED: Permission is granted subject to the conditions in the report.

 

 

The meeting ended at 4.05pm.