To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors ACR Chappell, KS Guthrie,
RI Matthews, AP Taylor and DC Taylor.

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 McCaull for RI Matthews;

Councillor JB Williams for DC Taylor;

Councillor RH Smith for KG Guthrie; and

Councillor A Toon for AP Taylor.

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

Councillor PM Morgan declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 (Minute 64) - DCNE/092162/F - change of use from agricultural to school playing field and erection of security fencing and gate  at Ashperton Primary School, Ashperton, Ledbury.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd October, 2009.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd October, 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman announced the arrangements for the meeting.

At the end of the meeting he outlined the arrangements for the new Planning Committee which would replace the existing system in January.  He paid tribute to the past and present Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Committee and the three Area Planning Sub-Committees and thanked Members for their help and support over the years. 

To receive the attached report of the Northern Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 21st October and 18th November 2009.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meetings held on 21st October and 18th November, 2009 be received and noted.

To receive the attached report of the Central Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 11th November, 2009.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meeting held on 11th November, 2009 be received and noted.

To receive the attached report of the Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 28th October and 25th November 2009.

RESOLVED: That the report of the meetings held on 26th October and 25th November, 2009 be received and noted.

To consider the Annual Monitoring Report 2008-2009.

The Team Leader Strategic Planning presented the report of the Planning Policy Manager about the Annual Monitoring Report 2007 – 2008.  He said that The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 had introduced new provisions and requirements for development planning. The regular review and monitoring of Development Plans through mandatory Annual Monitoring Reports (AMR’s) was a fundamental feature of the new planning system.  AMR’s were based on the period from 1st April to 31st March and had to be submitted to the Secretary of State by no later than the following 31st December.  He advised that the AMR’s were required to assess the impact of the Councils planning policies and framework.  The Team Leader Strategic Planning presented the following updates to his report:

The reproduction of the report in the Agenda had “clipped” the text of certain paragraphs. The “missing text” (which is in the original document) is as follows

The Team Leader Strategic Planning also asked the Committee to note that on page 92f of the Agenda, that the partnership referred to was between Advantage West Midlands and the regional planning body (currently the West Midlands Regional Assembly).

The Committee considered the contents of the AMR and the Team Leader Strategic Planning highlighted the main features and outlined the extent to which the objectives of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP) policies were being met.  He advised the Committee of the key findings which had revealed the following:-

·         housing – for the UDP since 1996 some 10,395 new dwellings had been completed, amounting to 85% of the UDP target of 12,200 new dwellings.  The downturn in the housing market had meant that  689 had been  completed in the last 12 months (a fall of around 20% from the 829 completed in 2007-8. The percentage of housing completions on previously developed or brownfield land at 80% (550) had exceeded  regional and national targets.  208units of affordable housing, were completed in 2008-9,an increase over the previous year (141 units) which was the highest level recorded in the monitoring process.  In addition, the preparation of the Local Development Framework had provided an opportunity to review the UDP affordable housing policies and a number of options for this were set out in the Place Shaping Paper which would be published in January.

·         employment - the amount of land developed for employment uses over the monitoring period was 10.22ha, above the average recorded since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Ward: Three Elms

The Central Team Leader presented a report about an application for outline planning permission for the construction of new B1/B2/B8 industrial/warehouse units together with associated works to create service yards, car parking and access improvements. The effect of these works would be to redevelop the redundant core of the industrial estate and to create a more vibrant and commercially viable environment. One of the key strategic objectives in redeveloping the site was to provide for viable and attractive alternative accommodation to meet the needs of local businesses relocating from the Edgar Street Grid regeneration area.  He advised that although some of the open space would be lost, it would still include a reasonable amount of formal and informal open space.  He added that at present the area was the subject of anti-social behaviour and vandalism and that the scheme would help to overcome this.  He also drew attention to the fact that there was a considerable area of open space within easy walking distance nearby which had good access links for local residents.  He presented the following updates which had been received since the preparation of the report:

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

Valuation & Estates Manager – the capital receipt from the sale of this piece of Public Open Space (POS) will go in its entirety to the provision of improved facilities in the area. The proposed disposal of the POS was publicly advertised at the time the decision to sell the land to the Advantage West Midlands was made. There were only a few enquiries from the local residents as a consequence of the process, which were all in support of the proposal

Environmental Health & Trading Standards Manager – I have no objection to the development proposed in principle, however in order to protect the amenity of nearby residents with regards noise, I would ask that a condition be placed on the permission for a Noise Scheme to be agreed with the Planning Authority prior to occupation of the units.  

Environment Agency – No objection by suggest the use of conditions to ensure that issues of flooding, contaminated land and watercourse protection are properly addressed.

OFFICER COMMENTS

The comments of the Environmental Health & Trading Standards Manager and the Environment Agency are noted and those additional conditions are recommended.

CHANGE TO RECOMMENDATION

Take out reference to ‘The Environment Agency’ and substitute ‘Sports England’ in the recommendation.

In accordance with the procedure for public speaking, Mr Watts, a local resident spoke against the application because of the loss of amenity land and the adverse impact he felt that it would have on the adjoining residential area. 

Councillors PA Andrews and AN Toon, two of the Local Ward Members, spoke in favour of the application, drawing attention to the many years of complaints about anti-social behaviour, vandalism and theft which had been received from local residents whose properties adjoined the site.  They asked for local residents to be kept informed about the proposals for the multi-use games area and landscaping which would be included in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Ward: Frome

The Senior Planning Officer presented a report about an application to use part of an agricultural field as a play area with a security fence to the rear of Ashperton Primary School.  Councillor PM Morgan the Local Ward Member said that the additional land as a school play area was vitally needed to improve the facilities provided by the school and help to secure its future.  The Committee was supportive of the application and agreed with a suggestion from Councillor Toon that the land should revert back to agricultural use should it no longer be required by the school in future.

RESOLVED THAT

planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

To be confirmed

20th January, 10th February, 24th February and 10th March 2010