To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors LO Barnett, RBA Burke, and ME Cooper.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2008.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th March, 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To note the contents of the attached report of the Head of Planning Services in respect of appeals for the northern area of Herefordshire.

The Sub-Committee noted the Council’s current position in respect of planning appeals for the northern area of Herefordshire.

Proposed demolition and conversion of mill, construction of glass link and new works to form three storey double block and to create nine apartments and all associated works.

Proposed demolition and conversion of mill, construction of glass link and new works to form three storey double block and to create nine apartments and all associated works.

The Development Control Manager requested that a further condition be added to the recommendation in respect of external lighting. He advised members that the draft heads of terms listed on page 26 of the agenda were an indication of the contribution that would have been required, had the application been submitted after April 1st, 2008.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Tomkins, the applicant, spoke in support of his application.

Councillor RC Hunt, one of the local ward members, thanked members for attending the site inspection. He advised members of his concerns in respect of parking issues on Pinsley Road and advised them of concerns regarding cars exiting the car park of the White Lion public house onto a busy junction. In summing up he felt that the application was acceptable and added that the section 106 agreement should be retained in the officers recommendation.

Councillor JP French noted the comments received from the Civic Trust and the Parish Council and thanked the applicant for submitting clearer plans. She felt that the applicant should help the local community infrastructure by honouring the proposed section 106 agreement.

RECOMMENDATION

In respect to the application ref no DCNC2008/0002/F that planning permission be granted subject to the following:

1.      The Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to complete a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure a contribution for play and sport facilities and any additional matters and terms as he considers appropriate.

2.      Upon completion of the aforementioned planning obligation that the Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be authorised to issue planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.    A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission))

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

2.        Notwithstanding the approved details included in the application, additional drawings and specifications in respect of the following matters shall be submitted to the local planning authority before the commencement of any works.  The works to which they relate shall subsequently only be carried out in accordance with the details which have been approved by the local planning authority in writing beforehand:

(a)         submission of samples of facing and roofing materials

(b)         treatment of the south facing painted gable of the existing mill

(c)         colour of external finishes

(d)         rainwater goods

(e)         external surface materials

       Reason: To ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with details that are appropriate to the safeguarding of the architectural or historic interest of the building (as one which is in a conservation area, or of local interest) and to comply with the requirements of Policy HBA12 and HBA13 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

3.        Before work commences architectural details of windows and their openings including sills and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 175.

Re-build existing ground floor side extension and construct new first floor bedrooms above, including new rear single storey dining room.

Re-build existing ground floor side extension and construct new first floor bedrooms above, including new rear single storey dining room.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr O’Boyle, a neighbouring resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mrs Clayton, the applicant, spoke in support.

Councillor PJ Watts, one of the local ward members, advised members that the Parish Council had not yet had an opportunity to discuss the amended plans. He noted that there were a number of similar extensions on the New Mills estate and felt that the removal of the proposed white render finish had made the application more acceptable. He did voice concerns in respect of the proposed dormer window and felt that a velux style window would alleviate the concerns of the neighbouring resident.

In response to the points raised by the local ward member, the ** Planning Officer advised that the dormer window looked away from the neighbouring property and that the proposed extension would have to be made considerably higher in order to accommodate a velux style window.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1       A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission))

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

2       Prior to commencement of the development hereby permitted the following matters shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for their written approval:-

-          Written details and samples of all external materials;

         The development shall not commence until the Local Planning Authority has given such written approval. The development shall be carried out in strict accordance with the approved details and thereafter maintained as such;

         Reason:- To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development within the street scene.

3       Prior to the first use of the extension hereby permitted the car parking spaces shown upon Dwg. No. 05 (scale 1:100) received 18th March 2008 shall be fully implemented. Thereafter these car parking spaces shall be maintained and kept free of obstruction.

         Reason: - To ensure satisfactory on-site car parking provision.

4       No windows shall be inserted in the first floor south-eastern elevation of the side extension hereby permitted without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  To safeguard the privacy of the occupiers of 1 Sunshine Close.

INFORMATIVES:

1       N19 - Avoidance of doubt

2       N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of Planning Permission

Proposed change of use of site to international centre for birds of prey. Proposed aviaries; clinic/research building; toilet block; vehicular access and car park; porch to cafe/shop and associated works.

Proposed change of use of site to international centre for birds of prey. Proposed aviaries; clinic/research building; toilet block; vehicular access and car park; porch to cafe/shop and associated works.

Councillor RJ Phillips felt that a site inspection would be beneficial as the setting and surroundings were fundamental to the determination or to the conditions being considered.

The Legal Practice Manager advised members that Mr Alcock, the applicant’s agent, had registered to speak and in accordance with the public speaking guidance he would be required to address the committee prior to a vote being taken on the proposal for a site inspection.

At this juncture due to a disturbance in the public gallery the Chairman decided to adjourn the meeting in accordance with standing order 4.28.1. The meeting reconvened at 3.00 pm.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Alcock, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor JHR Goodwin, the local ward member, stated that he had initially felt that a site inspection would be beneficial to members but had some concerns regarding the welfare of the birds due to a further months delay in determining the application.

RESOLVED

THAT the determination of the application be deferred pending a site inspection on the following grounds:

• The setting and surroundings are fundamental to the determination or to the conditions being considered.

Proposed erection of a polytunnel and storage building/shed for bee-keeping use.

Proposed erection of a polytunnel and storage building/shed for bee-keeping use.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Rev. Parrett spoke in objection to the application.

Councillor RJ Phillips, the local ward member, noted that the application had previously been refused under delegated powers. He was concerned that the storage building was situated opposite a residential dwelling and also noted that the application site fell within a conservation area. Finally he said that he was disappointed that the village design plan appeared to have been ignored in this instance and felt that the application should be refused as it was contrary to policies S1, S2, DR1, DR2, DR4, E11, E13, E15, HBA6 and LA3 of the unitary development plan.

A number of members expressed concerns in respect of the size of the proposed units, it was felt that the storage building was considerably larger than needed.

RESOLVED:

That   (i) The Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee is minded to refuse the application subject to the reasons for refusal set out below (and any further reasons for refusal felt to be necessary by the Head of Planning Services) provided that the Head of Planning Services does not refer the application to the Planning Committee:

1.      The application is contrary to Policies S1, S2, DR1, DR2, DR4, E11, E13, E15, HBA6, LA3, and PPS7.

2.      Negative impact on the character, appearance and landscape quality of the surrounding Conservation Area.

(ii)         If the Head of Planning Servicesdoes not refer the application to the Planning Committee, Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be instructed to refuse the application, subject to the reason for refusal referred to above.

[Note: Following the vote on this application, the Head of Planning Services advised that he would not refer the application to the Planning Committee.]

7th May, 2008

The date of the next meeting of the Northern Area Planning Sub Committee was noted.