To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors LO Barnett and RJ Phillips

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

GUIDANCE ON DECLARING PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AT MEETINGS

The Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct requires Councillors to declare against an Agenda item(s) the nature of an interest and whether the interest is personal or prejudicial.  Councillors have to decide first whether or not they have a personal interest in the matter under discussion.  They will then have to decide whether that personal interest is also prejudicial.

A personal interest is an interest that affects the Councillor more than most other people in the area.  People in the area include those who live, work or have property in the area of the Council.  Councillors will also have a personal interest if their partner, relative or a close friend, or an organisation that they or the member works for, is affected more than other people in the area.  If they do have a personal interest, they must declare it but can stay and take part and vote in the meeting. 

Whether an interest is prejudicial is a matter of judgement for each Councillor.  What Councillors have to do is ask themselves whether a member of the public – if he or she knew all the facts – would think that the Councillor’s interest was so important that their decision would be affected by it.  If a Councillor has a prejudicial interest then they must declare what that interest is and leave the meeting room.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2008.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 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 position in respect of appeals for the northern area of Herefordshire.

Members congratulated officers on the success rate for the defending of appeals in the area.

Proposed erection of three bungalows and associated parking spaces.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr. Jolly the applicants agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor B Hunt, one of the Local Ward Members, commented that the proposed development was modest in size and he felt it was appropriate for the site.  He said that there have been long running issues with drainage capacity in the town of Bromyard, particularly concerning the safe removal of foul drainage water. He felt that as this application made provision to divert storm water away from mains drainage, it would result in no overall increase of water in the system. He added that neighbouring properties’ drains would be adjusted to take advantage of the storm water soakaways installed at the proposed development. Overall, he said, the mains drainage capacity should be unaffected by the proposed development. He added that he was pleased that proposed condition nine had been included in the recommendations as this would ensure adequate drainage was in place before the houses were occupied. He supported the application.

In response to Councillor B Hunt’s statement, The Northern Team Leader said that Welsh Water had accepted the development would not cause extra water to be added to the drainage system, but remained concerned at the potential for public health problems as a result of foul drainage leakage in the future.

Councillor A Seldon, the other Local Ward Member, said that he felt this was a difficult decision especially considering that the sub-committee had granted permission for an additional 18 dwellings yet to be constructed. He worried that this may lead to further foul drainage leakage and moved refusal.

Councillor JP French said that proposed conditions 9 to 13 in the report were adequate to ensure that the potential for drain overload was minimised and seconded Councillor B Hunt’s proposal to approve the development.

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       B01 (Development in accordance with the approved plans )

         Reason. To ensure adherence to the approved plans in the interests of a satisfactory form of development and to comply with Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

3       C01 (Samples of external materials )

         Reason: To ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings so as to ensure that the development complies with the requirements of Policy DR1 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4       F14 (Removal of permitted development rights )

         Reason: In order to protect the character and amenity of the locality, to maintain the amenities of adjoining property and to comply with Policy H13 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5       G10 (Landscaping scheme )

         Reason: In order to maintain the visual amenities of the area and to conform with Policy LA6 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6       G11 (Landscaping scheme - implementation )

         Reason: In order to maintain the visual amenities of the area and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

14 January 2009

14 January 2008