Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Emanuel, P Fairhurst, R Freeman, M Lemon and J Loughlin.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor B Light.

Non-pecuniary declarations of interest were made by:

·         Councillor Sutton as Ward Councillor for Takeley and Member of Takeley PC (Item 5).

·         Councillor Bagnall as per Councillor Sutton.

·         Councillor Reeve as Ward Councillor for Broad Oak and the Hallingburys (Item 6).

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 and 17 March 2022 were approved with one amendment:

Page 15, PC119 – removal of the bullet point that stated “Climate change and ecology”.

To note the Speed and Quality report.

The Development Manager presented the speed and quality report and outlined the criteria. He said that he would be reporting the 2019 -21 allowed appeals data to the Committee in May.

In response to various questions about making improvements, the Development Manager confirmed that:

·         Additional higher level staff were now in place and provided greater capacity.

·         All major applications regardless of recommendation would in future be reported to Committee.

·         Major applications trackers were being introduced.

·         Appeal trending would be taken forward and would include information on dismissed appeals.

The report was noted.

To consider application UTT/21/3108/FUL.

The Principal Planning Officer presented an application for the for the erection of a solar photovoltaic farm alongside associated works. He said that a small proportion of the site was not green belt  and therefore S7 applied. He referred to this application being a cross-boundary application with East Herts DC. He said that 47 standard letters of support had been received in respect of climate change, Carbon Dioxide emissions, fossil fuels, sustainable energy security and renewables. However, he said that these would have no impact on the recommendation in respect of benefits against harms.

The application was recommended for refusal.

The Principal Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         The situation at East Herts DC re the application being made there.

·         Outstanding concerns from Highways, Ecology and Archaeology.

·         Possible conditions in the event of a decision being made against the recommendation.

·         Employment numbers.

·         Educational purposes.

·         Public Rights of Way.

Councillor Light had arrived at 12.55 pm

There was a brief adjournment between 1.00 pm and 1.05 pm.

The Interim Legal Services Manager made a statement that any emails and attachments that had been received the previous evening would not be considered by the Committee.

Members discussed:

·         The balance between the negatives and the benefits of the proposal.

·         Consideration of solar panels.

·         Erosion of the Green Belt and the CPZ.

·         The planning application situation at East Herts DC.

·         The fact there were likely to be alternative locations in the district for similar proposals.

·         The lack of a clear response from Highways.

Councillor LeCount proposed that the application be refused for the reasons as set out in Section 17 of the report.

Councillor Sutton seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to refuse the application for the reasons as set out in Section 17 of the report.

(Councillor Light did not vote as she had arrived during the course of the item).

A Urquart, D Brett and G Hilton (applicant) spoke in support of the application.

To consider application UTT/21/3095/FUL.

The Senior Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of the existing pair of semi-detached dwellings and the construction of six new residential dwellings and associated access, parking and landscaping.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The Senior Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         An Appeal being granted in 2020.

·         Other sites in CPZ being material considerations.

·         A buffer zone with the Flitch Way.

·         Parking spaces.

·         Garden sizes all above the Essex Design Guide figure.

·         A bus service.

Members discussed:

·         Precedents being set by developments on the road.

·         Sewage and water pressure issues.

·         Material Planning considerations.

·         Possible overdevelopment.

·         Comments made by Place Services.

·         NPPF 197C.

·         Parish Council objections.

Councillor Reeve proposed that the application be approved subject to those conditions as set out in Section 17 of the report.

Councillor LeCount seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to approve the application, subject to those conditions as set out in Section 17 of the report.

D Amott (applicant) spoke in support of the application.

To consider application UTT/21/3204/FUL.

The Senior Planning Officer presented an application for the replacement of an existing static home with detached house with associated access and parking.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The Senior Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         The current level of travellers sites in the district.

·         There being no impact on the register of travellers.

Members discussed:

·         The size of the dwelling.

·         The possible creeping development.

·         The possible conditioning in respect of the dwelling remaining within the traveller community.

Councillor Reeve re-stated his non-pecuniary declaration on this item and          proposed that the application be approved subject to those conditions set out in Section 17 of the report.

Councillor LeCount seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to those conditions set out in Section 17 of the report.

Councillor G Driscoll (on behalf of Great Canfield PC) spoke against the application. The application had been called in by Councillor Driscoll.

The meeting adjourned at 2.00 pm and re-convened at 2.45 pm. Councillor De Vries was not in the room when the meeting re-convened.

To consider application UTT/2719/FUL.

The Development Management Team Manager and the Planning Officer presented an application for the proposed erection of 32 self-build and custom build dwellings.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions and completion of a S.106 Obligation Agreement in accordance with the Heads of Terms.

Councillor De Vries joined the meeting at 2.52 pm.

Questions were answered in respect of:

·         SUDs and water drainage.

·         Lack of a response from the Town Council.

·         Affordable housing provision.

·         Schooling provision.

·         The S106 not specifying financial sums as reflected in paragraph 14.3.10 as supplied by Essex CC.

·         Comments made by Place Services (Conservation and Heritage) in respect of Ford Farm.

The meeting adjourned at 3.05 pm and re-convened at 3.15 pm.

Members discussed:

·         That the bar had been set very high by the developer.

·         That this was a good quality development, where people would like to live.

·         That it would be good if the Town Council were more involved.

Councillor Reeve  proposed that the application be approved subject to the terms as detailed in the report’s recommendations.

Councillor LeCount seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to those items set out in Section 17 of the report-

A)   Completion of a S106 Obligation Agreement in accordance with the Heads of Terms

B)   Conditions

And

If the freehold owner shall fail to enter into such an agreement, the Interim Director Planning & Building Control shall be authorised to REFUSE permission following the expiration of a 6 month period from the date of the Planning Committee.

(Cllr De Vries did not vote as he had arrived during the course of the item)

S Bampton (agent) spoke in support of the application.

There was a further short adjournment between 3.35 pm and 3.40 pm.

To consider application UTT/21/3182/FUL.

The Principal Planning Officer presented an application for the proposed erection of 9 detached dwellings, provision of new access and associated landscaping and parking.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The Principal Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         The history of applications on this plot.

·         The access arrangements.

·         Receipt/non-receipt of an archaeology report.

Members discussed:

·         That neighbours were particularly concerned about parking arrangements and dirt.

·         Possible conditioning of the timing of planting the buffer within the Landscaping condition.

The Chair proposed that the application be approved subject to those conditions as set out in Section 17 of the report and that the Construction Management Plan includes the name and contact details of a site manager.

Councillor Sutton seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to those conditions as set out in Section 17 of the report and that the Construction Management Plan includes the name and contact details of a site manager.

A statement was read out from A Young (agent) in support of the application.

To consider application UTT/21/2649/FUL.

The Principal Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of five existing buildings, and erection of three new buildings forming 10 residential dwellings. Alternative scheme to that approved under references UTT/20/2154/FUL, UTT/20/0876/FUL and UTT/20/3016/FUL.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

The Principal Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         Affordable housing or off-site contribution to affordable housing.

·         Previous applications and Class Q builds.

Members discussed:

·         Whether it was possible to request affordable housing provision.

·         The general lack of 1 and 2 bedroom properties in the district.

Councillor Caton proposed that the application be deferred to enable further discussions to take place with reference to affordable housing provision.

Councillor Bagnall seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED to defer the application pending discussions taking place with reference to affordable housing.

S Bampton (Agent) spoke in support of the application and a statement was read out from A Edwards against the application.

To consider application UTT/22/0086/FUL.

The Principal Planning Officer presented an application for the erection of 1 detached dwelling with cart lodge.

The application was recommended for refusal.

The Principal Planning Officer responded to questions from members in respect of:

·         Whether the property would be 1.5 or 2 storey.

·         The response by Place Services and the need for consistency.

Members discussed:

·         The lack of a 5 year land supply.

·         The site offering a good development within the existing curtilage.

·         Local support, including lack of objection from the Parish Council.

·         That the applicant had worked closely with Place Services to ensure minimal impact.

Councillor Light proposed that the application be approved on the basis that the development was within the existing curtilage, would not be extending the development and would contribute to the 5 year land supply.       .

Councillor Sutton seconded the proposal.

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the conditions that would be required if the application was approved. He has subsequently expanded them and they are detailed below.

·         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this decision.

REASON: To comply with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

·         The development hereby permitted shall be constructed in accordance with the approved plans as listed unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To comply with the requirements of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

·         Prior to any of the development hereby permitted is commenced, details of all materials to be used in the external finishing of the building shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter the development shall be constructed in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the appearance of the proposed development will reflect with the character of the surrounding locality in accordance with policy GEN2 of the adopted Local Plan.

·         Prior to commencement of development above slab level, full details of both hard and soft landscape works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  Subsequently, these works shall be carried out as approved.  The landscaping details to be submitted shall include:-

a)  Proposed finished levels

b)  Means of enclosure

c)  Car parking layout

d)  Hard surfacing, other hard landscape features and materials

e)   Existing trees, hedges or other soft features to be retained (unless since removed)

f)  Planting plans, including specifications of species, sizes, planting centres, number and percentage mix

g)  Details of planting or features to be provided to enhance the value of the development for biodiversity and wildlife

h)   Details of siting and timing of all construction activities to avoid harm to all nature conservation features

i)   Location of service runs

j)  Management and maintenance details

REASON:  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC10

This document contains late submissions, updates or addendums to existing agenda items which are received up to and including the end of business on the Friday before Planning Committee. The late list is circulated after 12.00pm on the Monday prior to Planning Committee. This is a public document and it is published with the agenda papers on the UDC website.