Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Fawcett, who was substituted by Councillor D Cheetham.

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.

Councillor K Rouse declared an interest in Item 6 as a Member of the Clay Cross Town Deal Board. Councillor K Rouse indicated that she would leave the meeting at the appropriate time and would not participate in Committee’s discussion of, or determination on, the Application.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of Planning Committee held on Tuesday 3 October 2023.    

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3 October 2023 were approved as a true record.

Councillor K Rouse left the meeting at this point.

Reconfiguration and erection of new extensions to the Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre and former DACES building, including limited demolition within the Clay Cross Conservation Area. Erection of 16 new build commercial units. Extensive hard and soft landscape proposals around the buildings, including enhancements and modifications to Market Street and Bridge Street (Major Development / Affecting Setting of a Listed Building / Conservation Area / Affecting Public Right of Way / NEDDC) (Amended Plans) at Site Covering Land Roads and Buildings to the North and West of Broadleys, Clay Cross.

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that an Application had been submitted for the reconfiguration and erection of new extensions to the Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre and former DACES building, including limited demolition within the Clay Cross Conservation Area. The Application involved the erection of sixteen new commercial units, as well as extensive hard and soft landscape proposals around the buildings, including enhancements and modifications to Market Street and Bridge Street. It was classed as a Major Development, which would affect the setting of a listed building, the Conservation Area and a Public Right of Way. The Application, which involved Amended Plans, was located at the Masterplan Site, covering land, roads and building to the North and West of Broadleys, Clay Cross.

The Application had been referred to Committee by the Planning Manager (Development Management) because of the strategic importance of the proposed Development.

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

Members heard that the proposed re-development would cover much of Clay Cross Town Centre, including land which fell within the Clay Cross Conservation Area. Grant aid had been secured from the Towns Fund for a range of specific re-development projects. These had been included in the Clay Cross Town Investment Plan and could be implemented if the Application was approved.

Officers felt that the proposed re-development would be acceptable in principle and supported by the appropriate Development Plan policies. They highlighted specific benefits of the Application. These included the creation of a public open space, which had the potential to improve the character and appearance of Clay Cross Town Centre. The Application would in overall terms preserve the character of the Clay Cross Conservation Area.  In particular, it would preserve the significance of the nearby Grade II listed Church. It would also bring back into use the Non-Designated Heritage Assets, which formed part of the re-development, while not causing them any significant harm.  

The officers recognised that the Application had drawbacks in planning terms, such as the loss of the land designated for housing supply. But they had concluded that any negative aspects of the proposed scheme would be outweighed by the overall benefits for Clay Cross of the redevelopment and new investment. Consequently, they had concluded that the Application should be approved.

Members were informed that no one had registered to speak on the Application.

Committee considered the Application. It took into account the site’s location within the wider Clay Cross Town Centre and the Clay Cross Conservation Area. It considered the relevant local and national planning policies. These included Local Plan Policy SS1, on sustainable development in the District, the efficient use of land and the re-use of buildings, Local Plan Policy SS2, on the overall spatial strategy and distribution of development across the District and Local Plan Policy WC4, on the impact of new developments on the vibrancy and economic health of town centres. It also took into account Local Plan Policy SD5,  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA/42/23-24

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

Councillor K Rouse re-entered the meeting at this point.

The report to Committee explained that five appeals had been lodged. No appeals had been allowed and one appeal had been dismissed.

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 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).

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 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).

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee summarised the work of the Council’s Planning Enforcement Service during the period 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023. The report also provided information on the volume of planning enforcement enquiries and enforcement cases dealt with since 2020.

Members discussed the report and thanked the Enforcement Service for its hard work.

RESOLVED -

That the report and workload information on the Planning Enforcement Service be noted (by acclamation).

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

None.