Agenda and minutes

This being the first meeting of the Development Control Committee since the Authority’s Annual Meeting in May 2018, the Lawyer opened the meeting and asked for nominations for the Chairman of the Committee for 2018/2019.

Councillor Carol Lynch nominated Councillor Rona Burt as Chairman and this was seconded by Councillor Roger Dicker.

There being no other nominations, the motion was put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Rona Burt be elected Chairman for 2018/2019.

Councillor Burt then took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Councillor Rona Burt nominated Councillor Chris Barker as Vice Chairman and this was seconded by Councillor Peter Ridgwell.

There being no other nominations, the motion was put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Chris Barker be elected Vice Chairman for 2018/2019.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Bowman and Brian Harvey.

Councillor Andrew Appleby was also unable to attend the meeting.

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 2018 were unanimously received by the Committee as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman. 

Report No: DEV/FH/18/006

Planning Application - (i) 63no.bed Care Home for the Elderly including car park, bicycle, refuse and garden store (ii) Alterations to vehicular and pedestrian access from Fordham Road (Demolition of existing house including associated swimming pool, outbuildings and hard-standing)

Planning Application - (i) 63no.bed Care Home for the Elderly including car park, bicycle, refuse and garden store (ii) Alterations to vehicular and pedestrian access from Fordham Road (Demolition of existing house including associated swimming pool, outbuildings and hard-standing)

This application had been deferred from the Development Control Committee on 2 May 2018 in order for Officers to obtain further information from the Local Highway Authority regarding the level of parking proposed for the scheme, following concerns raised by Members. 

The planning application had been referred to the Development Control Committee in light of Newmarket Town Council having objected to the proposal which was contrary to the Officer recommendation of approval.

The Principal Planning Officer - Major Projects drew attention to the recommendation within Paragraph 107 of Report No DEV/FH/18/006 and explained that this was subject to the receipt of a satisfactory bat survey due later in June.  However, since the May meeting of the Committee the Section 106 Agreement had been completed meaning the recommendation was no longer subject to this.

As part of his presentation the Officer made reference to:

·         Additional evidence and advice contained within the report from Paragraph 41 onwards;

·         The previous (2017) scheme for which planning permission was refused;

·         Nearby approved developments at Nowell Lodge and Southernwood; and

·         Separation distances, tree protection plan and landscaping scheme.

The Officer also advised the Committee that they had been made aware of correspondence sent directly to Members earlier that day from nearby residents opposing the development.  The content of which did not raise any new concerns beyond those already submitted.  However, the Officer cautioned Members on the map/plan supplied in the correspondence as this had not been checked by the Planning Authority for accuracy.

Sam Bye, Senior Development Management Engineer – Suffolk County Council, was in attendance following Members’ request at the May Committee for a Highways Authority representative. 

The Highways Officer explained that the County Council were unable to recommend refusal of an application on highways grounds unless they considered that the proposed scheme would have a severe impact on the highways network.

In respect of the application seeking determination; the site was close to the Town Centre, benefited from nearby bus services and the applicants would be encouraging sustainable transport for their employees.  The Highways Authority were, therefore, satisfied that with the appropriate mitigation (as set out in the relevant conditions) the parking proposed for the facility would be adequate.

Speakers:    Mr Christopher Welsh (neighbouring resident) spoke against the application

                   Ms Debbie Twinn (on behalf of the applicant) spoke in support of the application

A number of Members voiced concern at the level of parking provided within the application.  Councillor Stephen Edwards drew attention to the evidence within the report and questioned the table set out within Paragraph 45, in that the majority of the residential care homes listed therein were from metropolitan areas such as Birmingham and Leeds.  Councillor Edwards explained that these urban areas would benefit from extensive public transport networks far  ...  view the full minutes text for item 298.

Report No: DEV/FH/18/007

Members were advised that a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was made on 47 individual trees and 6 tree groups located across the Lords Walk estate in Eriswell.  The TPO was made on 26 January 2018 and was served to protect the trees in response to a number of individual planning applications for development across the site including on areas of open space.

The Senior Ecology & Landscape Officer explained that the trees were considered to be a significant public amenity asset both individually and as groups.  They were mature trees and had attractive features, they also provided an important element of a natural setting within the residential development which was largely lacking in vegetation or natural features.

One objection had been received which included a proposal to remove tree T2 from the Order, this modification was considered reasonable by the Officer and the recommendation was therefore to confirm the TPO with T2 (Silver Birch) removed.

As part of her presentation the Officer provided photographs and further explanation on each of the trees/groups as listed within Paragraph 4 of Report No DEV/FH/18/007.

Councillor Simon Cole moved the Officer’s recommendation and this was duly seconded by Councillor Louise Marston.

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

Decision

The report be noted and Tree Preservation Order TPO/031(2017) be CONFIRMED with a modification to remove tree T2 (Silver Birch).