No apologies for absence had been received: all Committee Members were present.

Councillor Sharpe advised that he had received correspondence relating to the application at minute number 48.  He explained that residents’ concerns had centred on issues under the remit of the Parks section rather than planning issues.  He confirmed that he had expressed no view on the matter.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2013 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2013 were submitted and signed.

A total of 3 application reports are included on this agenda for decision, of which 3 will be within the Government's target dates for determination of applications

On 13.11.13 there were 0 applications over 8 weeks not yet determined but under consideration by the Development Management  Section Head.

The Committee received a report advising that as at 13 November 2013 there had been no applications over eight weeks yet to be determined.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

An application to remove the existing portable cabin, the youth shelters and the associated surfacing; the replacement of the existing junior play area and the installation of new senior play area, the installation of Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), outdoor gym and youth shelter; resurfacing of the path in Riverside Recreation Ground; the removal of the seating and the feature area on former landfill area, removal of play area, basketball and skate-park in Riverside Park; the creation of scrapes, mounds and extension of reed bed on Lairage Land. (AMENDED PLANS)

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site.

Councillor Sharpe advised that funding had been provided for play facilities on the further side of the park.  He noted, however, that this area was somewhat hidden from sight and consequently provided opportunity for anti-social behaviour.  He considered, therefore, that to establish facilities on the application site would be a sensible decision.  He further noted that there had been no objections from residents but advised that further discussions would take place between local residents and the Parks section in the implementation of the proposals.  

Councillor Sharpe concluded that he felt that approval would be the right decision and hoped that the proposed facilities would lead to a safer play area for users. 

Councillor Bell added that he also supported this proposal as another MUGA was needed within the Borough.  He asked whether lighting would be provided for use during the hours of darkness.

The Applications Casework Manager said that this was a somewhat contentious issue.  He noted that it was necessary to consider the wildlife currently onsite and advised that the degree of weight to be given to the varying needs of users, wildlife and local residents had not so far been determined.  He advised that a condition was proposed requiring a lighting scheme to be submitted for approval about which there would be future discussions between the Police Authority and the Wildlife Trust. 

Councillor Sharpe noted that lighting the area after dark could impact on local residents.  He agreed that discussions between representatives of the Council, the Police Authority and Wildlife organisations as well as local residents would be advisable. 

The Chair concluded the discussion by noting that the MUGA in Central ward was well used and had reduced anti-social behaviour.  He reminded Members that there had been concerns from residents prior to the establishment of this facility but that these fears had been unfounded. 

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.         No development shall commence until a scheme that includes the following components to deal with the risks associated with contamination of the site shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

(a) a preliminary risk assessment which has identified:

·        all previous uses;

·        potential contaminants associated with those uses;

·        a conceptual model of the site indicating sources, pathways and receptors;

·        potentially unacceptable risks arising from contamination at the site;

(b) a site investigation scheme, based on (a) to provide information for a detailed assessment of the risk to all receptors that may be affected, including those off site.

(c)  the results of the site investigation and detailed risk assessment referred to in (b) and, based on these, an options appraisal and remediation strategy giving full details of the remediation measures required and how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Application for the erection of 2 No. detached dwellings and associated works following the demolition of the existing house and out buildings

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of six representations objecting to the application.

Councillor Derbyshire advised that he understood that residents could have reservations regarding the application.  He noted that the characteristic for Glen Way was individually designed detached homes; the proposal, however, was for a ‘handed’ pair which did not totally comply with the character of the area.    

Councillor Derbyshire said that the plot could easily accommodate the proposed development and that each house would be sited in substantially sized gardens.  He reminded the meeting that it was current Government policy to approve applications for the building of new houses.  He concluded that it was unlikely that a refusal for this application on the grounds of two similarly designed houses would be sustained at appeal.  

Councillor Sharpe expressed his agreement with Councillor Derbyshire and noted that the ‘test’ for a refusal would centre on ‘harm’.   He noted that whilst two homes of different design would have been a better solution, the application did not warrant a refusal on those grounds. 

The Chair noted that the room sizes were large and considered that the application would provide a good development in this area. 

RESOLVED –

that planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1          The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2          Construction of the development hereby permitted shall not take place before 8am or after 6pm Mondays to Fridays, before 8am or after 1pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays and Public Holidays.

3          No development shall commence on site, and no trees or hedges shall be removed or partially removed, until full details of all hard and soft landscaping works (including details of any changes to ground levels around the building), any fencing or other boundary treatments and any external lighting have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

4          No development shall commence on site until full details and physical samples of the bricks and the roof tiles have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

5          The proposed bathroom and toilet windows in both the flank elevations and the proposed side roof light bedroom windows of both houses shall be fitted with obscured glass at all times, and no part of those windows shall be capable of being opened other than parts that are at least 1.7m above the floor of the room in which the window is installed. This condition also applies to the side roof light window of the playroom at Plot 1 (but not at Plot 2).

6          Neither of the houses shall be occupied until the solar panels and the rainwater harvesting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Application for the part demolition/reconfiguration/change of use of existing Charter Place Shopping Centre, demolition of 37-57 and 67-69 High Street, and part retention of 63-65, High Street.

Erection of new buildings within Classes A1(shops), A3 (restaurants) and D2 (including cinema), including provision of new covered market, together with associated plant and machinery, and ancillary facilities.

Provision of new public realm. 

Alterations to existing pedestrian and cycle access and egress arrangements, highway alterations/ improvements and other ancillary works and operations.

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of four replies received in respect of the application.

The Chair drew the meeting’s attention to the Update Sheet which recorded the Applicant’s request for a deferral.  He noted that the Applicant had also agreed to extend the time period for the determination of the application for a further two months.

The Development Management Section Head explained that the time for determination of the application would have expired on 12 December 2013.  He advised that whilst a Development Control Committee meeting had been scheduled for this date, it would not be possible to issue any decision before the expiry of the statutory period.  He referred to the Applicant’s agreement to extend the period for determination by two months and said that this meant that a decision made on the application after 12 December but within the extra two months would not be regarded as having been made out of time.  

The Chair MOVED that:

The decision on this application be deferred in order that the planning application and the application for listed building consent can be considered at the same time.

On being put to the Committee the Motion was AGREED.

RESOLVED:

that the application be deferred in order that the planning application and the application for listed building consent can be considered at the same time.