Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Hancock, who was substituted by Councillor P Windley.  Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor M Foster, R Hall and M Jones.

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.

None. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of Planning Committee held on 18 October 2022.     

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 18 October 2022 were approved as a true record. 

Change of use of a Brownfield Site to Housing Land and construction of a five bedroom dwelling with attached garage (Amended Plans) at 37 High Street, Apperknowle

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that an Application had been submitted for the change of use of a Brownfield Site into Housing Land and for the construction of a five bedroom house, with an attached garage, at 37 High Street, Apperknowle. The Application involved amended plans. It had been referred to Committee by the local Ward Councillor, A Dale, who had raised issues about it. Members were informed that as the site was owned by the Council, it was appropriate for Planning Committee to determine the Application.

Planning Committee was recommended to approve the Application, subject to conditions. The report to Committee explained the reasons for this.

Officers contended that the building would be appropriate in scale, design and location to the character and function of the local settlement. They felt that, subject to appropriate conditions, it would not cause unacceptable harm to the level of amenity currently enjoyed by the occupiers of adjacent properties. Officers concluded, therefore, that the proposal would be an acceptable form of development and that there were no technical reasons why the Application should be rejected.

Before the Committee discussed the Application it heard from G Flavell, the Agent for the Application, and V Jones, who spoke against the Application.

Planning Committee considered the Application. It took into account the relevant Planning Issues. In particular, the Principle of Development and the site’s location as an Unallocated Site within the defined Settlement Development Limits (SDL) for Apperknowle. It considered National and Local Planning Policy, including Local Plan Policy SS7, which permits development on those sites within Settlement Development Limits that have not been allocated within the Local Plan or a Neighbourhood Plan. Committee also took into account Local Plan Policy SDC2, and its requirement for replacement trees to be planted, when possible, for those removed as a result of a development.

Members discussed the Application. They reflected on the amendments which had been made to the scale of the proposed development. Members heard how the building would now be significantly lower in overall height than originally proposed. They reflected on the officer assessment of how, following the changes to size, the proposed building would be a typically proportioned two-storey dwelling, consistent with the scale, proportions of other properties close to the site.

Members discussed the impact which the development might have on neighbouring properties and the concerns raised about the possible loss of privacy. Some Members sought clarification on vehicle access to the site and whether this would be adequate. Committee was reminded that the Highway Authority had not objected to the proposed development, subject to clarification about the garage size and bin storage areas.

Committee Members discussed the removal of certain trees as part of the development. Specific attention was paid to Sycamore trees close to the lane leading from the site to the road. Members heard the reasons why, given their location at the edge of the development, and their lack of amenity to the local area, a Tree Preservation Order  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/52/22-23

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that two appeals had been lodged, two had been dismissed and two appeals had been allowed.   

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

None. 

The Chair to Move:

“That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 5, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972”.  (As amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2008).

RESOLVED -

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 5, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972”.  (As amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2008).

(Principal Planning Enforcement Officer – Development Management)

                                                                                Paragraphs 2 and 5

The report to Committee summarised the work of the Council’s Planning Enforcement Service. The report set out information relating to the work carried out by the Planning Enforcement service during the first six months of the 2022-23 financial year and showed how this compared to the previous period.

Committee discussed the report and the action taken on specific enforcement issues. During their discussion, Members reiterated their support for the work of the Planning Enforcement Service and congratulated the officers for the good progress which they had made.

RESOLVED -

That the report and workload information on the Planning Enforcement Service be noted.

By Acclamation

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

                                                Paragraphs 3 and 5

The report to Committee provided information on specific ‘Section 106’ Agreements, or agreements reached between the Council as Planning Authority with developers to carry out specific work to help offset the impact of new developments on local people.

Members were informed of those agreements where the funding had now been secured. It also included information about Section 106 agreements where the funding had not yet been received or written-off.

RESOLVED - 

(1)      That the information contained within Appendices A, B and C of the report be noted.

(2)      That the contents of paragraph 2.1 of the report be noted and endorsed.

(3)      That information on Section 106 Agreements continues to be reported to     Planning Committee.

    By Acclamation

(Assistant Director of Planning)

                  Paragraphs 3 and 5

Members were reminded that an appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning permission for 397 dwellings at land west of Upperthorpe Road, Killamarsh (application NED/18/01003). The report to Committee explained that follow-on legal advice had been received, which Members were asked to consider.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor D Ruff and W Armitage moved and seconded a Motion that the Council cease to pursue its grounds for refusal to the Appeal, in order to minimise the costs to the Council.

The Motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED -

(1)  That the Council cease to pursue its grounds for objection to the Appeal, in order to minimise the costs to the Planning Authority

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

None.