Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Barry, D Hancock and           C Hunt.

The meeting was advised that Councillors M Jones and P Windley would act as substitutes for Councillors C Hunt and D Hancock who had given apologies.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Cllr Liggett declared an interest in applications NED/19/00647/FL, NED/19/00648/FL, NED/19/00649/FL and NED/19/00651/LB. Cllr Liggett explained that she had registered to speak in opposition to the applications and intended to withdraw from the meeting for the period when the applications were being considered.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Special Planning Committee held on the morning of 3 September and the Minutes of the scheduled Planning Committee in the afternoon of 3 September 2019.     

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of Special Planning Committee held on the morning of 3 September 2019, and the Minutes of the scheduled Planning Committee in the afternoon of 3 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

(a)     Report No PM/11/19-20 – Development Management Applications

(b)     Report No PM/12/19-20 – Planning Appeals – Lodged and Determined

The report to Committee explained that a planning application had been submitted for thedemolition of an existing house, attached barn, and outbuildings to the north and south and the erection of one replacement house (Amended Plans)(Amended Title) at Grange Farm, Cowley Lane, Holmesfield, Dronfield for Mr & Mrs Oates. The application had been referred to the Committee by the Planning Manager – Development Management, to allow for a full consideration of the relevant policy issues.

Members were reminded that Committee had considered this application at its last meeting. During its discussion of the application, concern had been raised about the potential impact of the increased size of the new dwelling. Members had noted the concerns of the Parish Council that by approving this application a precedent might be set for similar applications for large developments effecting the Green Belt in the future.  The Committee subsequently resolved to defer consideration of the application, so that it could obtain the additional information required in to make a determination on the application.

The Committee was directed to the recent late comments/update report which had been issued the afternoon prior to the meeting and were advised of further late comments which was circulated on the day of the meeting.

No objectors spoke against the application.

The applicant and the agentexercised their right to attend the meeting and bothspoke in support of the application. No supporters spoke in favour of the application.

Committee considered the application having regard to the suitability of the proposal in the location in policy terms, most notably its impact on the Green Belt, its effect on the character of the site and the surrounding area, impact on the privacy and amenity of neighbours, and highway safety issues.

Members discussed the application and how under the revised plans the scale of the replacement house had been reduced. In particular, Committee heard that the proposed replacement building would now represent a 20-25% increase in volume – although the applicants believed that the increase would be less than this. Under the original plans, the new building would have been 30% greater by volume than that which it replaced.  Members felt that with the revised plans, the proposed development would help to improve the area and be appropriate for the Green Belt given its reduced size. There was a consensus that it should now be supported.

RESOLVED – That application number NED/18/01195/FL be approved in line with officer recommendations, with the final wording of conditions delegated to the Planning Manager – Development Management.

NED/18/00858/FL

The report to Committee explained that an application had been submitted for thedemolition of a current dwelling, replacement with a new two storey dwelling with improvements to access at Peglant Cottage, Matlock Road, Ashover, Chesterfield for Mr & Mrs Sandhu. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Armitage, who had raised concerns about it.

The Committee was directed to the recent late comments/update report which had been issued the afternoon prior to the meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 278.

The Committee considered Report No PM/12/19-20/AK of the Planning Manager – Development Management. 

The following appeal had been lodged:-

Mr S Helliwell – Construction of vehicular access, domestic access track and private parking area (Resubmission of 18/00377/FL) at Land Approximately 100M South East Of Greenfield House, Hungerhill Lane, Stonedge (18/01245/FL)

The following appeal had been part allowed/part dismissed:-

Mr Paul Cropper – Application for 2no Velux windows and re-roofing with Solar PV roofing slates (Conservation Area) at The Barn, Corner Farm, Main Road, Higham (19/00424/FLH)

The following appeals had been dismissed:-

Mr Andrew Thompson – Application for new 3 bedroom dwelling, including new access and driveway (Conservation Area/ Affecting setting of a listed building) at 3 Church Street, Eckington (18/01168/FL)

Mr David Wilson, Mr William Wilson and Zafeen Ltd – Outline application (all matters reserved except access) for residential development and associated infrastructure (Major Development/Departure from development plan/Affecting a public right of way) at Land To The East Of Little Morton Road, North Wingfield (18/00505/OL)

No appeals had been allowed or withdrawn.

The Planning Manager – Development Management drew Members attention the decision of the Planning Inspector on a number of appeals. What was clear from these decisions is that less weight was now being given to specific grounds for rejecting planning applications than in the past.

Members discussed the appeals process, how the inspector’s decisions can be challenged and the reasons why the weight given by the Planning Inspectorate to certain issues when considering appeals against decisions had altered. Members noted the financial cost to the Council if decisions to reject planning applications are overturned on appeal. Members also thanked the Planning Manager – Development Management for his hard work in defending planning decisions against appeals

RESOLVED – That the report setting out the appeals lodged and determined within the previous month be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business to be discussed at the meeting.