Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2017 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2017 were unanimously received as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman, subject to Councillor Peter Ridgwell asking that it be noted that he had voiced agreement with the statement made by Councillor David Palmer with regard to electrical vehicle charging points, in respect of Minute No 271 (Planning Application DC/17/1106/FUL – Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall).

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) also took this opportunity, with the permission of the Chairman, to advise the Committee that the Secretary of State had formally decided not to call in the Mildenhall Hub application for his determination, hence planning permission had now been formally granted.

Report No: DEV/FH/17/041

Planning Application - 39 no. dwellings with an area of open space, associated landscaping, access and engineering works (demolition of existing dwelling and associated outbuildings)

Planning Application - 39 no. dwellings with an area of open space, associated landscaping, access and engineering works (demolition of existing dwelling and associated outbuildings)

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee because it was for a major application and because the Parish Council objected to the proposal.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions, as set out in Paragraph 79 of Report No DEV/FH/17/041.

The Principal Planning Officer made her presentation which included visuals of; landscaping, visibility splays, elevations and street scenes.  Attention was also drawn to noise contour mapping in light of the proposed dwellings being under the flight path from RAF Lakenheath.

Attention was drawn to Paragraph 10 of the report in which the S106 contributions required for primary education were stipulated as being for West Row Community Primary School.  The Officer explained that West Row would be the catchment school in respect of the contributions from this development, if approved, because Beck Row Primary School had already been allocated the maximum number of contributions from other approved developments.

The Principal Planning Officer also advised of the following corrections/amendments to the report (relevant agenda page numbers as indicated):

·         Condition 2 – revision number in relation to block 5 was incorrect – this should be ‘P03’ (Page 36) and the visibility splay drawing number should have revision P01 on the end;

·         Condition 6 – word ‘not’ to be deleted (double negative – Page 38);

·         SCC Archaeological Service confirmed that Condition 9 (Page 39) was no longer required as all archaeological works and reporting had now been completed;

·         Condition 13 – Officer note – wording agreed with Anglian Water (Page 41);

·         Condition 23 – slight reword at the beginning; ‘The dwellings hereby approved shall not be occupied…’ (Page 43);

·         Condition 24 – Vis splay plan No. missing; 31429-IW-XX-XX-DR-A-2001 P01 (Page 43-44);

·         Condition 30 – insert ‘(shown on the Tree Reference Plan by ACD Environmental; drawing ORB21002-01B)’ after ‘T14’ to make the condition more precise (Page 45); and

·         Condition 34 – delete the word ‘residential’ (Page 46).

Speakers:    Annette Dawson (resident) spoke against the application;

                   Nicole Perryman (agent) spoke in support of the application

Members asked a number of questions in relation to; defined need, school capacity, density of the scheme, elevations and maintenance of driveways.  All of which were responded to by the Case Officer and the Service Manager (Planning – Development).

Councillor David Bowman spoke as Ward Member for the application and voiced support for the scheme which would provide much needed affordable housing.  He moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation and inclusive of the identified amendments, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Simon Cole.

Upon being put to the vote, and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the following Heads of Terms, and subject to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 275.

Report No: DEV/FH/17/042

Planning Application - Variation of conditions 2 and 4 of DC/17/0790/FUL - to allow use of amended plans for providing a new entrance to restaurant and amended opening hours Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm and Friday and Saturday 11am to 11 pm for Change of use of Sports Pavilion (D2) to Restaurant/Cafe (A3)

Planning Application - Variation of conditions 2 and 4 of DC/17/0790/FUL - to allow use of amended plans for providing a new entrance to restaurant and amended opening hours Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm and Friday and Saturday 11am to 11 pm for Change of use of Sports Pavilion (D2) to Restaurant/Cafe (A3)

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee by the Delegation Panel following call-in of the application by Councillor Ruth Bowman (Ward Member).

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Mildenhall Parish Council were in support and Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions, as set out in Paragraph 21 of Report No DEV/FH/17/042.

The Senior Planning Officer made reference to Planning Application DC/17/0790/FUL which was granted in July 2017.  The application before Members sought a variation to conditions in relation to the July permission.

The Officer advised that since publication of the agenda amended plans had been submitted by the applicant which showed details of a designated smoking shelter.  The Council’s Public Health and Housing had been consulted on this amendment and were happy with what was proposed (as per Condition 10 of the recommendation).

Speakers:    Aidan Keogh (resident) spoke against the application

Marilyn McGuire (applicant) spoke in support of the application

Councillor Ruth Bowman (Ward Member) spoke on the application.  She raised concerns that restaurant patrons could gravitate towards the Social Club’s outside seating areas and, similarly, that those attending the Social Club could walk through the building in order to access the restaurant’s designated smoking area. 

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that the movement of customers throughout the building was a matter for management and could not be controlled via planning conditions/restrictions.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that whilst there was nothing to restrict smoking at the outside seating areas, the restaurant was not permitted to serve food to these tables, as per Condition 11 of the recommendation.

Another Member made comment as to whether the vegetation along the boundary of neighbouring Turnstone Close could be increased in order reduce the impact on residents’ amenity.  The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that it would be not be reasonable to request this on such a small-scale application, however, the applicant was present and may take note of the comment.

Councillor Simon Cole moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Louis Busuttil.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.       NS     time limit

2.       NS     Approved plans (amended)

3.       NS     plant, machinery and equipment details

4.       NS     operational hours

5.       NS     delivery times

6.       NS     Bin empty times

7.       NS     background music only

8.       NS     hours of construction

9.       NS     parking prior to first use

10.     NS     smoking area – to be provided prior to first use

11.     NS     No external seating

(Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 276.

Report No: DEV/FH/17/043

Planning Application - Change of use from B1 (Light Industrial) to B2 (Food Preparation)

Planning Application - Change of use from B1 (Light Industrial) to B2 (Food Preparation)

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee as Forest Heath District Council owned the building for which planning permission was sought.

No representations had been received from third parties.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions, as set out in Paragraph 18 of Report No DEV/FH/17/043.

Councillor David Bowman moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Simon Cole.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.   The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than 3 years from the date of this permission.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents.