The Committee observed a silence in memory of Councillor Bernard Hunt.

None.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

None.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2020.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairperson.

None.

Outline planning permission for 16 dwellings with all matters reserved except access.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Outline planning permission for 16 dwellings with all matters reserved except access.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking for virtual meetings, Mr J Daniels, a local resident, submitted a written submission in objection to the scheme.  This was read to the meeting.  Mr N Beddoe, the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application as a virtual attendee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor Symonds, spoke on the application.  In summary, he expressed particular concern about a number of highway issues.  The proposed highway access was not the best solution. He requested the Committee to defer the application and require the applicant to resubmit the application with the access onto Merrivale Lane to be located at the southern end of the development. If the application were to be approved he requested a number of conditions.

The Lead Development Manager cautioned against deferring the application.

The Committee discussed the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He reiterated his requests for consideration to be deferred with a request for an alternative access to be provided and for additional conditions if the application were to be approved.

The Lead Development Manager commented that consideration could be given to the proposed additional condition together with the addition of Ross Rowing Club to the s106 agreement.

RESOLVED: That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Planning Obligation under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 in accordance with the Heads of Terms stated in the report, officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers are authorised to grant outline planning permission, subject to the conditions below and any further conditions considered necessary by officers.

Regulatory Conditions

1.         An application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the local planning authority before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun either before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission, or before the expiration of two years from the date of the approval of the last reserved matters to be approved, whichever is the later.

            Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

3.         Approval of the details of the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping (hereinafter called "the reserved matters") shall be obtained from the local planning authority in writing before any development is commenced.

            Reason: To enable the local planning authority to exercise proper control over these aspects of the development and to secure compliance with Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, Ross on Wye Neighbourhood Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

4.         The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved plans and supporting details:

•           Application Form  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Re-organisation and upgrade of the existing 'Bleathwood lodges country park' to include demolition of existing site buildings, the change of use of the on-site residential property for holiday let, the construction of a replacement facilities/meet and greet building, maintenance building, and the provision of accommodation in the form of 45 lodges, with associated access and parking.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Re-organisation and upgrade of the existing 'Bleathwood lodges country park' to include demolition of existing site buildings, the change of use of the on-site residential property for holiday let, the construction of a replacement facilities/meet and greet building, maintenance building, and the provision of accommodation in the form of 45 lodges, with associated access and parking.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking for virtual meetings, Mrs C Whitlock, a local resident, spoke in opposition to the scheme, as a virtual attendee.  Ms E Cass, the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application also as a virtual attendee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor Stone, spoke on the application.  In summary, he observed that there had been many representations both in support of and in objection to the application including an objection from the Parish Council.  In conclusion, he expressed concern about the sustainability of the application having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework’s three objectives of sustainable development.  He also referenced the local concerns about the scale and possible impacts of the development.

The Committee discussed the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He remained concerned about the sustainability of the site.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

2.         The development hereby approved shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved plans and supporting details and the schedule of materials indicated thereon unless other conditions of this Decision Notice dictate otherwise.

            Reason: To ensure adherence to the approved plans and to protect the general character and amenities of the area in accordance with the requirements of Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework

Pre Commencement Conditions

3.         No development shall commence until a fully detailed Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and named ‘responsible persons’ shall be supplied to the local planning authority for written approval. The approved CEMP shall be implemented and remain in place until all work is completed on site and all equipment and spare materials have finally been removed. The Construction Management Plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following matters:

•           site management arrangements, including on-site storage of materials, plant and machinery; temporary offices, contractors compounds and other facilities; on-site parking and turning provision for site operatives, visitors and construction vehicles (including cycle parking for staff and visitors); and provision for the loading/unloading of plant and materials within the site

•           wheel washing facilities and other measures to ensure that any vehicle, plant or equipment leaving the application site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Outline planning application for a residential development with all matters reserved except for access for up to 37 dwellings.

The application was refused in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Outline planning application for a residential development with all matters reserved except for access for up to 37 dwellings.) 

(Councillor Stone indicated that due to technology issues he was prohibited from voting on the application.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking for virtual meetings, Mrs K Davis of Colwall Parish Council spoke in opposition to the proposal as a virtual attendee.  Mr J Dunham-Vaughan, a local resident, made an objection to the application by video submission.  Mr J Baggott, the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application as a virtual attendee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor Johnson, spoke on the application.  In summary, he commented on the requirement to provide housing in Colwall and suggested that any proposed development of similar size would face the criticism that it was to the detriment of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  He considered the Mill Lane site was sustainable and that there was local support for the proposal. The site had at one time been identified for development in the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).  He questioned the direction the emerging NDP, to which the proposal was now contrary, was taking.  He urged the Committee to grant permission.

The Committee discussed the application.

The Principal Planning Officer emphasised that the proposal was considered to represent major development within the AONB and accordingly the National Planning Policy Framework directed that the application be refused.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He reiterated his support for the proposal.

RESOLVED on the Chairperson’s casting vote: That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.         The proposed development by its nature, scale and setting is major development within a designated area identified within the National Planning Policy Framework that does not meet any of the exception tests of NPPF Paragraph 172. Notwithstanding that, the proposal would have a significant and adverse impact and harm to both the character, appearance, setting and enjoyment of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and on the purposes for which the area has been designated or defined, and an adverse impact on the character, appearance and setting of Colwall. As such the proposal is contrary to policies SS1, SS6, RA2 and LD1 of the Herefordshire Core Strategy, Malvern Hills AONB Management Plan and policies within the emerging Colwall Neighbourhood Development Plan, the landscape aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and paragraph 11, 170 and 172 and the provisions of the CRoW Act.

2.         The application is also not accompanied by a completed Section 106 agreement which is necessary to secure the required provisions and make the development acceptable. It is therefore contrary to Policies H1, IDI, OS1 and OS2 of the Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy and the Council’s Supplementary Planning Document on Planning Obligations

Informative

The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Date of next site inspection – 20 October 2020

Date of next meeting – 21 October 2020

Noted.