There were no apologies: all Committee members were present.

There were no Disclosures of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2014 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2014 were submitted and signed.

A total of 1 application report is included on this agenda for decision, of which 1 will be within the Government's target             dates for determination of applications

On 13^th June 2014 there were no applications over 8 weeks not yet determined but under consideration by the Development Management Section Head.

The Chair noted that there were no applications over eight weeks yet to be determined and thanked Planning officers for their diligence.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

An application with regard to reserved matters for the appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of 20 new dwellings, pursuant to outline planning permission ref. 13/00450/OUTM.

The Committee received a report of the Development Management Section Head including the relevant planning history of the site and details of six responses to the application. One letter expressed support for the proposal and five made objections to the application. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Officer advised that the current Application related only to scale, appearance, layout and landscaping for the dwellings at Rounton; other conditions and matters covered by the Section 106 planning obligation were still to be approved. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Officer explained that affordable housing would be provided at an alternative site in the borough.  This housing would be in the form of seven affordable units in Aldenham Road.  A proposal for a Woodland Management Plan would also be dealt with separately. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager outlined the application and added that there would be no homes on site with more than three levels of accommodation. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager then drew the Committee’s attention to the Update Sheet.  He noted that a eucalyptus tree on the boundary with number 35 Bay Tree Walk had caused damage to the boundary wall.  The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager explained that, on the site map, this tree had not been shown as being retained and it was not the subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).  The Council’s Arboricultural Officer had agreed that there would be no problems associated with removing this tree. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager advised that a full specification of materials to be used was still awaited and noted that Condition 2 in the report recommended that full details of all external materials be still subject to approval. 

The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager concluded by advising that, at present, the developer proposed to use only two designs of roof tiles and three colours of brick.

The Committee agreed that Councillor Jeanette Aron could speak to the meeting in her capacity as a ward councillor.

Councillor Aron said that she had addressed the meeting in July 2013 when the last application at Rounton had come to Committee.  She advised that, along with local residents, she,had concerns regarding management of the woodland on site and explained that, when the application for s.106 approval came to committee, she hoped to see details of the Woodland Management Plan included in the proposals. 

Councillor Aron stressed that she hoped that future residents would be made aware of their commitment to the site and asked that the developer ensure that the new owners were made aware of the Ancient Woodland and their responsibility for its management.

The Major Cases and Enforcement Manager advised that the detailed requirements of s.106 agreements were usually delegated to officers but could be brought to committee for a decision if Members so wished. 

The Committee then discussed the application.

Councillor Watkin reminded the committee that the Ancient Woodland had been at the heart of the debate at previous meetings and agreed that residents were concerned that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.