Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C Hunt.

The meeting was advised that Councillor M Jones would act as a substitute for Councillor C Hunt.

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.

Councillor J Barry declared an interest in application NED/18/01170/OL and that she intended to withdraw from the meeting for the period when the application was being considered.

The Planning Manager – Development Management explained that he was acquainted with one of the objectors to Planning Application NED/18/01170/OL. He assured Committee that this would not influence his judgement or advice to the Committee.  He had chosen to make the Committee aware of this in the interests of transparency.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of Planning Committee held on 1 October 2019.     

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the last meeting of the Planning Committee held on                            

1 October 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

(a)     Report No PM/13/19-20 – Development Management Applications

(b)     Report No PM/14/19-20 – Planning Appeals – Lodged and Determined

The Committee considered Report No PM/13/19-20/AK of the Planning Manager – Development Management together with visual presentations for each of the following applications.

NED/18/01170/OL

Councillor Barry left the meeting at this point.

The report to Committee explained that an outline planning application had been submitted for the erection of up to 250 dwellings (Major Development/Contrary to development plan/Affecting a Public Footpath)(Amended Plans)(Amended Title) on land east of Williamthorpe Road and south of Tibshelf Road, Holmewood for Mr Cliff Richards. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor N Barker, who had raised concerns about it.

Six objectors exercised their right to attend the meeting and spoke against the application.

Three supporters spoke in favour of the application.

Three of the agents exercised their right to attend the meeting and spoke in support of the application.

The Committee was directed to the recent late comments/update report which had been issued the afternoon prior to the meeting

Committee considered the outline application. It recognised that the primary issue to be considered at this point was whether the principle of residential development on the site would be acceptable and sustainable. In particular, the Committee considered whether the technical constraints, most notably those relating to highway safety or the environmental impact, of the site could be overcome, with or without conditions, to enable an acceptable form of development to be undertaken.

Members discussed the application. Concerns were raised that the possible benefits of the development might be outweighed by the drawbacks. As part of this, Members heard about the likely impact of the proposed development on traffic levels, and local services, including education. Members also discussed the possible impact of the development on the environment and especially what it would mean for biodiversity.  In addition, they considered how the application might affect the distinctive separate identity of local communities, if the current agricultural land between them was built upon.

RESOLVED – That application number NED/18/01170/OL be refused against officer recommendations, for the following reasons:-

(1)     The Application is considered to be unacceptable as the proposed housing would, by reason of its location, harm the landscape and rural character of the area and lead to a merging of settlements.

         The development would form a prominent intrusion into the countryside and fail or enhance either the natural environment or local distinctiveness.

         The benefits arising from the scheme would not outweigh this harm and so the development would be contrary to policy NE1 of the North East Derbyshire Local Plan and the National Policy Framework when read as a whole.

NED/19/00809/FL

Councillor Barry re-joined the meeting at this point.

The report to Committee explained that an application had been submitted to vary conditions 5 (method statement) and 7 (implementation plan and timetable) pursuant of 14/00901/FL (amended title/amended plans) on land to the rear of 14 to 22 Green Lane and 4 to 16 Park Avenue, Dronfield for Neil Twigg. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor P Parkin, who had raised concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 321.

The Committee considered Report No PM/14/19-20/AK of the Planning Manager – Development Management. 

No appeals had been lodged, dismissed or withdrawn.

The following appeal had been allowed:

Mr K Swain – Application for conversion of existing stable building to form 2 dwellings at K J S Fisheries, Field Lane, Killamarsh (18/01061/FL)

The Committee noted the appeal decision of the Planning Inspectorate attached as Appendix A to the report.

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 was no urgent business.