Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to this face-face meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Committee in the New Council Chamber.  

He explained the new arrangements in place for speaking on planning applications under Standing Order 17A, with speakers to be invited to address the committee immediately before an application rather than at the start of the meeting.

The Chairman than introduced those officers present at the meeting

Please note that following changes to SO17A, public speaking about applications for planning permission will be at the start of relevant agenda items rather than at the start of the meeting.  Time limits and notification deadlines remain unchanged, as set out below.

To receive and hear any person who wishes to address the Committee. The Chairperson will select the order of the matters to be heard. Each speaker will be limited to a period of five minutes for public participation on non-planning matters (up to a maximum of 30 minutes) and three minutes for the applicant/supporters and three minutes for objectors on a planning application (up to a maximum of 30 minutes).

If there is more than one person wishing to object to an application, the Chairperson will invite those persons to agree a spokesperson among themselves. In default of agreement the Chairperson may select one person to speak.

Requests to speak must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, or to the officer mentioned at the top of this agenda letter, by noon on the day before the meeting and the request must detail the subject matter of the address.

Please ensure that any submissions meet the required time limits and can be read out in five minutes for public participation on non-planning matters (up to a maximum of 30 minutes) and three minutes for applicant/supporter statements and three minutes for objector statements on a planning application (up to a maximum of 30 minutes). Members of the public are advised that 400 words at normal speaking speed equate to a three minute statement.

It was noted there were no speakers under Standing Order 17.

Two requests to speak had been received under Standing Order 17A and the speakers would be invited to address the committee immediately prior to the consideration of the application in question (agenda item 6).

A Member must declare any disclosable pecuniary interest where it relates to any matter being considered at the meeting. A declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest should indicate the interest and the agenda item to which it relates. A Member is not permitted to participate in this agenda item by law and should immediately leave the meeting before the start of any debate.

If the Member leaves the meeting in respect of a declaration, he or she should ensure that the Chairman is aware of this before he or she leaves to enable their exit from the meeting to be recorded in the minutes in accordance with Standing Order 37.

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18 May 2022 to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

Section 1 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

At the invitation of the Chairman, Sarah Ould, local resident, addressed the committee speaking against the application.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Chris Dolling, Applicant, addressed the committee speaking in favour of the application.

The Director of Place’s representative presented the report.  He also drew members’ attention to the update sheet which had been published the previous day.  Reference was made to a Committee site inspection that was held on 15 September 2022 and the additional third-party comment.  The Residents Association had written to members of the P&R Committee.  The issues raised concerned road and pedestrian safety and the impact of the proposal on 18 Rodney Road.

Four further letters of objection had been received (now 5). The principal issues raised were the close proximity of the road to the bungalow on 18 Rodney Road, levels creating safety and well-being concerns; the loss of surrounding trees and undergrowth to accommodate the road and to noise, dust and disturbance during site construction; local amenities being at full capacity and loss of an area for dog walkers. The additional letter referred to concern regarding construction works next to Infants School.

Under officer comments It was noted that these issues had been fully considered and were dealt with within the main report.  The gradient and construction detailing of the proposed road were matters that would be dealt with under the reserved matters submission.  Appropriate conditions were recommended to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on this bungalow and other properties in the locality of the site.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the ward member, Councillor Bridget Petty addressed the committee.

Following debate it was:

Resolved: Subject to

a) the completion of a Habitat Regulation Assessment and

b) the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement securing:

       I.          the provision of 30% Affordable Housing,

     II.          the delivery, and future management arrangements, of an area of off-siteland to be secured in perpetuity for ecology/bat mitigation purposes,

       I.          financial contributions towards (i)  funding of Traffic Regulation Order application and lining costs in connection with parking restrictions around site entrance, (ii) public transport, including provision of two replacement bus stops with shelters and associated cabling and electrical cost, (iii) travel plan comprising sustainable travel vouchers to be spent flexibly on sustainable travel such as taster bus tickets and cycle equipment, (iv) off-site improvements to surface of public right of way LA2/31, (v) six fire hydrants, including cost of installation and five years maintenance and (vi) an off-site payment for Neighbourhood Open Space

the application be APPROVED (for the reasons stated in the report) with the additional resolution:

That local residents be consulted on the reserved matters application in accordance with a process to be agreed by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Ward Member:

1.     Approval of the details of the scale, layout, appearance of the buildings and the landscaping of the site (hereinafter called "the reserved matters") shall be obtained from the Local Planning Authority, in  ...  view the full minutes text for item PAR 14

Section 3 report of the Director of Place Directorate (attached)

The Director of Place Directorate’s representatives reported on appeal decisions and appeals that had been lodged since the date of the last meeting. 

Resolved: that the report be noted.

Report of Executive Member for Corporate Services

The representative of the Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer presented the report.

It was reported that the Council needed to update the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer designations following changes in post title.  The roles were responsible for elections and the provision of the register of electors. 

The Council needed to designate a Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.  It was proposed to designate this to the Head of Democratic and Electoral Services in line with the recently adopted structure of Democratic and Electoral Services. 

Resolved:

1. that the post of Assistant Director of Legal and Governance be designated Returning Officer (and Electoral Registration Officer) for elections in accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983 following changes to the post title, and

2. that the post of Head of Democratic and Electoral Services be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer in line with the current structure of Democratic and Electoral Services

For a matter to be considered as an urgent item, the following question must be addressed: “What harm to the public interest would flow from leaving it until the next meeting?” If harm can be demonstrated, then it is open to the Chairperson to rule that it be considered as urgent. Otherwise the matter cannot be considered urgent within the statutory provisions.

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