To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Davies, DW Greenow, G Lucas, RI Matthews and PM Morgan.

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

The following named substitutes were appointed:-

Councillor PJ Edwards for Councillor RI Matthews.

Councillor R Mills for Councillor G Lucas.

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.

The following interests were declared

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 August 2008.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15th August, 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion of the name of Councillor RI Matthews in the list of apologies and also that Councillor PJ Edwards was appointed as named substitute for him at the meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

REEVES HILL WIND TURBINE

The planning application for the erection of 4 wind turbines at Reeves Hill in the northwest of the County was likely to be submitted to the meeting of the Committee in November.  It was agreed that the site visit should be undertaken on 24 October 2008.

VISIT TO WYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

On 11 September the Planning Chairman’s Group visited Wychavon District Council as part of its study into how other Planning Authorities deal with planning applications.  The Council has a single Planning Committee and the Group observed the practical issues involved and how the process relates to Wychavon’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers. 

To receive the attached report of the Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 27 August 2008.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meeting held on 27th August 2008 be received and noted.

To receive the attached report of the Central Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 September 2008.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meeting held on 3rd September 2008 be received and noted.

To receive the attached report of the Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 20 August and 17 September 2008.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meetings held on 20th August 17th September 2008 be received and noted.

To inform members of the comments received to the Draft Model Farm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) published for consultation purposes in June this year and to consider appropriate changes. 

Ward: Ross on Wye East

A report was presented the Team Leader Local Planning about comments received on the Draft Model Farm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which went out to consultation in June.  He said that the document was included within the Council’s Local Development Scheme (January 2008) and was produced in line with the regulations of the new planning system introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  He advised that the site of some 15 hectares had been identified in the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP) under policy E3 as an allocated employment site.  The SPD had been prepared by consultants on behalf of Ross Area Partnership and Herefordshire Council. It had been produced to expand upon and provide additional information and guidance in support of policies contained within the UDP.  Its main aims were to:

·         provide guidance on the existing planning policy framework which would influence the delivery of any future planning application;

·         identify the development requirements and constraints of the site;

·         provide guidance on the delivery of high quality design and landscaping principles for the site;

·         provide guidance on the delivery of access and movement to, from and within the site; and

·         ensure that the development can become fully integrated with the surrounding area.

The Team Leader Local Planning explained the innovative nature of the scheme which was aimed at diversification and growth of a rural economy.  He said that it was aimed at providing the type of employment suited to the locality and making the best use of the land to achieve a balanced live/work concept. The Head of Planning and Transportation said that the document was a first class piece of work for the development of a key area of land within the County, carried out in collaboration with key stake holders. He also said that there would be high expectations of the quality of the ensuing scheme.

Councillor ACR Chappell congratulated the officers on the quality of the proposals and recognised the hard work and also the difficulties that had to be overcome to lead to the scheme coming to fruition.  Councillor GFM Dawe asked about the views of the public on the green issues.  The Team Leader, Local Planning said that there was a carefully designed buffer zone between the site and the town which would help to provide an attractive landscaped approach to it, including pathways and cycle ways.  The use of the site would be light industrial which would be of more benefit to the local community and the environment.  Councillor PJ Edwards hoped that there would be a speed limit as appropriate on the approach roads to the site but welcomed the pedestrian and cycle links together with the safe crossing proposals for the A40.  Councillor PGH Cutter welcomed the scheme and felt that there had been a good consultation outcome with the proposals having met with the approval of the majority of local people. 

The committee has expressed its appreciation for the hard work undertaken by the Officers and approved the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

For:            Signature Homes & Construction Ltd per John Phipps Bank Lodge, Coldwells Road, Holmer, Hereford HR1 1LH

The application has been referred to the Committee because the Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee was minded to refuse it, contrary to Council Policy and Officer advice.

Ward: Leominster South

The Central Team Leader presented a report of the Head of Planning and Transportation.  He said that at its meeting on 27 August 2008, the Northern Area Planning Sub Committee was mindful to refuse the application contrary to Council policy and officer advice.  He reported the receipt of a letter from the applicant’s agent, stating that the previous planning permission for four dwellings could not be implemented as approved due to the proximity of a sewer which has a no-development zone around it.  He suggested the inclusion of an additional condition if permission was granted, to deal with surface water drainage issues In order to minimise any flood risk to third parties.

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

Councillor RC Hunt, the local ward member said that he was totally opposed to the scheme which he felt was out of keeping with the surroundings, would dominate the area and was in conflict with the Conservation Area, Millennium Green and The Grange.  He also felt that they density was too high, that there would be problems with the approach roads to the site which were narrow and restricted; and that a potential risk of flooding existed.  Councillor Mrs J Pemberton asked about the views of the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards and was advised that comments were awaited.  Councillors R Mills, PJ Watts and WJ Walling supported the local ward member and felt that the scale and setting of the proposals would be detrimental and would have an adverse effect on the local distinctiveness of the area.  Four storeys was thought by them to be too high and out of keeping with other buildings. 

The Central Team Leader said that the officers viewed the site as slightly separate from the adjoining residential area and that it fitted in with the scale and the size of Pinsley Mill and other buildings nearby.  The density complied with the provisions of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan, as did the issues of amenity, car parking access and open space.  There would be a noise barrier on the northern side of the footpath to reduce the impact of the adjacent railway line.  The public footpath had been integrated into the scheme to give security but at the same time provide an open aspect.  Councillor RV Stockton pointed out that there had been considerable negotiations leading to the current proposals which he felt to be acceptable in respect of all the comments that had been raised. 

Having considered all the different aspects of the application and comments made, the Committee decided that it should be approved. 

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.      A02 (Time limit for submission of reserved matters (outline permission) )

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

2.     A03 (Time limit for commencement (outline permission) )

         Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 92 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

For:            Director of Children's Services per Haverstock Associates 10 Cliff Road Studios Cliff Road London  NW1 9AN

Ward: Leominster South

The Central Team Leader said that a response had been received from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). It raised concern about the vehicle domination of the South Street frontage, which weakened the ability to provide a positive and welcoming presence. With regard to the design, issues were raised about the geometry of the building and the resultant outdoor spaces and the design and use of the internal space.  A letter of objection had been received from the occupier of 67B South Street regarding the public rights of way which would be blocked;  encroachment on the property, the boundary treatment (2.4m fence or wall) and security risk to the property from the compound for out of hours’ deliveries.  He said that clarification would be sought from the agent of the applicant in respect of the concerns that had been raised by the neighbour.

In accordance with criteria for public speaking, Mrs Pegg said that she did not object to the overall scheme but did object to the loss of the old grammar school building which was, she felt, a vital part of the Leominster street scene and merited conservation.

Councillor ACR Chappell agreed with the views of the objector and felt that the grammar school building should be kept for community use and integrated into the school village scheme in future. 

The Central Team Leader explained the details of the proposals and said that unfortunately the best way of gaining access and parking for cars and coaches would be to loose the existing grammar school building.  He said that there were no other satisfactory ways in which this problem could be overcome without causing problems in other more constrained streets near to the site.  Councillor PJ Edwards welcomed the proposals and hoped that the scheme would be an innovative design with energy conservation measures which would be similar to those at the Whitecross school in Hereford.  Councillor WJ Walling had reservations about such a large new complex on a constrained site and felt that an alternative site should have been chosen.  The Central Team Leader said that the application had to be judged on its merits.

The Committee noted with regret that it would not be possible to retain the old grammar school building but felt that the application should be approved.  Councillor GFM Dawe abstained from the voting on the application.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

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

         Reason:   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       B03 (Amended plans )

         Reason:   The development hereby approved shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the amended plans received by the local planning authority on 27th August 2008.

         Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the amended plans and to comply with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

For:      School Governors per Property Services Manager, Herefordshire Council Property Services, Franklin House, 4 Commercial Road, Hereford, 
HR1 2BB

Ward: Ross-on-Wye East

The Southern Team Leader presented the report of the head of planning and transportation. 

In accordance with criteria for public speaking, Mrs Warwick and Mr Whitehead, local residents, spoke against the application and Mrs Davies, the head-teacher spoke in favour. 

Councillor PGH Cutter, the Local Ward Member, said that he was in favour of the application and explained that the original school hall had been provided free of charge by St Josephs Convent but when the Convent had been sold for development purposes, it had been first rented to the school and then demolished for development and left the school without a suitable sports hall.  He said that all though there were objections from local residents about the out of school usage of the facilities, he was confident that these could be overcome by further negotiations, agreement and through the appropriate planning conditions.  The Southern Team Leader said that a condition would be imposed to prevent ‘light spillage’ out of school hours from adversely affecting local residents.  The Committee was satisfied that adequate steps would be taken to minimise the impact on local residents and agreed that the application should be approved. 

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.      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

3.      L01 (Foul/surface water drainage )

         Reason: To protect the integrity of the public sewerage system and to comply with Policy CF2 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4.      L02 (No surface water to connect to public system )

         Reason: To prevent hydraulic overloading of the public sewerage system, to protect the health and safety of existing residents and ensure no detriment to the environment so as to comply with Policy CF2 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5.      L03 (No drainage run-off to public system )

         Reason: To prevent hydraulic overload of the public sewerage system and pollution of the environment so as to comply with Policy CF2 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6.      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.

7.      G11 (Landscaping scheme - implementation )

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

8.      H29 (Secure covered cycle parking provision )

         Reason: To ensure that there is adequate provision for secure cycle accommodation within the application site, encouraging alternative modes of transport in accordance with both local and national planning policy and to conform with the requirements of Policy DR3 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan

9.      I33 (External lighting)

         Reason:  To safeguard the character and amenities of the area and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

14 November 2008

14 November 2008