Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Louise Marston.

There were no substitutes at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2016 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2016 were accepted as an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman, with 12 voting for the motion and with 1 abstention.

Report No: DEV/FH/16/025

Householder Planning Application DC/16/1274/HH

(i)      Retention of car port to side elevation

(ii)     Retention of Alterations to side extension roof

Householder Planning Application DC/16/1274/HH:

(i)      Retention of car port to side elevation

(ii)     Retention of Alterations to side extension roof

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee because the applicant was a relation of an Officer of Forest Heath District Council.

No third party or Parish Council representations had been received.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved as set out in Paragraph 16 of Report No DEV/FH/16/025.

It was proposed by Councillor Simon Cole, seconded by Councillor David Bowman and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Planning permission be GRANTED.

Report No: DEV/FH/16/026

Planning Application DC/16/0723/FUL - Dwelling adjoining No. 35 Kingsway

The Lawyer advised that the Chairman had agreed for this item to be withdrawn from the agenda due to it having come to light that a tree protected with a Tree Preservation Order existed within the site.  Officers therefore required additional time in which to review the application.

Report No: DEV/FH/16/027

Planning Application DC/16/1175/FUL

(i)      Change of use of existing garage to Hairdressing salon (Use Class A1)

(ii)     Extension to front of existing garage

The Lawyer advised that the Chairman had agreed for this item to be withdrawn from the agenda as a result of Officers having reviewed the file and ascertaining that the application did not have the correct site location plan. A further 21 day consultation period would therefore need to take place before the application could be determined.

Report No: DEV/FH/16/028

Outline Planning Application DC/16/0596/OUT (Means of Access to be considered)

(i)      Residential development for up to 125 dwellings

(ii)     Public open space including children’s play area and electricity substation

Outline Planning Application DC/16/0596/OUT (Means of Access to be considered):

(i)      Residential development for up to 125 dwellings

(ii)     Public open space including children’s play area and electricity substation

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee because it was a proposal for ‘major’ development and raised matters requiring interpretation of extant planning policy.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved as set out in Paragraphs 241 and 242 of Report No DEV/FH/16/028.

The Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects advised that since publication of the agenda the Council’s Public Health and Housing Team had submitted comments.  They did not object to the scheme but stressed that, due to the close proximity of the site to the dual carriageway, the noise mitigation measures proposed must be delivered.

Considerable discussion took place with regard to the access that was proposed for the development with Members favouring the inclusion of a mini roundabout.  The Officer explained that he could advise Suffolk County Council Highways of the Committee’s concerns and ask if they would consider it reasonable to amend the access for the scheme to include a mini roundabout.  If Highways agreed then an approach would be made to the applicants to establish whether they were willing to make the necessary amendments, or accept a condition requiring a roundabout at the access.

Comments were also made with regard to:

·         The proximity of the building line to the dual carriageway;

·         The location and level of open space to be provided; and

·         The degree of planting/replanting to be carried out.

The Officer explained that all of which would be considered as part of the Reserved Matters application.

Councillor Brian Harvey asked if any highways measures were to be included from the delivery of this scheme in respect of the access road into Worlington (from Red Lodge).  He raised concerns that the cumulative impact of development in Red Lodge was putting increased pressure on the smaller local/village roads by resulting in more residents avoiding using the A11 and five-ways roundabout.

The Officer explained that the size of this application did not justify any highways measures on this route but reminded the Committee that the previously approved, larger application for the ‘Yellow Land’ site at Red Lodge did secure highways works at Worlington and Kentford.  At the request of Councillor Harvey the Officer agreed to contact Worlington Parish Council to explain this and he also agreed to raise Councillor Harvey’s concerns with Suffolk County Council.

In response to questions concerning primary education, the Officer explained that Suffolk County Council was working to open the second primary school in Red Lodge to intake from September 2018.

Councillor Simon Cole asked if it would be possible to condition the planning application (as had been done with a previous application) to restrict occupation of the site until September 2018 when the second school was due to open.  The Officer explained that this was possible, however,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 169.

Prior to closing the meeting the Chairman advised Members that the Service Manager (Planning – Development) had recently undergone an operation.  She asked that well wishes be communicated to the Officer on behalf of the whole Committee.