Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robert Everitt, Ian Houlder, Ivor Mclatchy and Peter Stevens.

Any Member who is substituting for another Member should so indicate together with the name of the relevant absent Member.

The following substitution was announced:

Councillor Frank Warby for Ivor Mclatchy.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2016  (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2016 were confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered Reports DEV/SE/16/18 to DEV/SE/16/22 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED – That:

(1)     subject to the full consultation procedure, including notification to Parish Councils/Meetings and reference to Suffolk County Council, decisions regarding applications for planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent and approval to carry out works to trees covered by a preservation order be made as listed below.

(2)     approved applications be subject to the conditions outlined in the written reports (DEV/SE/16/18 to DEV/SE/16/22) and any additional conditions imposed by the Committee and specified in the relevant decisions; and

(3)     refusal reasons be based on the grounds outlined in the written reports and any reasons specified by the Committee and indicated in the relevant decisions.

(i)      Application DC/15/1752/FUL – Retention of modification  and change of use of former agricultural building to part offices (Class B1 (a)) and part storage (Class B8) (Building B);

(ii)     Application DC/15/1753/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to storage (Class B8) (Building C);

(iii)    Application DC/15/1754/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to storage (Class B8) (Building D);

(iv)    Application DC/15/1757/FUL -  Part retention of replacement building (former agricultural building demolished) to be used for Class B1 (a) offices or B1(b) research or B1(c) industrial or B8 storage (Building E) WITHDRAWN;

(v)     Application DC/15/1758/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B1(a) offices or B1(b) research or B1(c) industrial or B8 storage or sui generis use (Building F);

(vi)    Application DC/15/1759/FUL – Retention of change of use of former agricultural land to use for open storage, Class B8, for caravans and motor homes (10 max.), horse boxes (5 max.) and containers (20 (max.);

(vii)   Application DC/15/1760/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B8, storage use (Building I); and

(viii)   Application DC/15/1761/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B8 storage (Building J).

at Larks Pool Farm, Mill Road, Fornham St. Genevieve for C J Volkert Ltd.

Report No. DEV/SE/16/18

(i)     Planning Application DC/15/1752/FUL – Retention of modification  and change of use of former agricultural building to part offices (Class B1 (a)) and part storage (Class B8) (Building B).

(ii)    Planning Application DC/15/1753/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to storage (Class B8) (Building C).

(iii)   Planning Application DC/15/1754/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to storage (Class B8) (Building D).

(iv)   Planning Application DC/15/1757/FUL -  Part retention of replacement building (former agricultural building demolished) to be used for Class B1 (a) offices or B1(b) research or B1(c) industrial or B8 storage (Building E)

          (WITHDRAWN).

(v)    Planning Application DC/15/1758/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B1(a) offices or B1(b) research or B1(c) industrial or B8 storage or sui generis use (Building F).

(vi)   Planning Application DC/15/1759/FUL – Retention of change of use of former agricultural land to use for open storage, Class B8, for caravans and motor homes (10 max.), horse boxes (5 max.) and containers (20 (max.).

(vii)  Planning Application DC/15/1760/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B8, storage use (Building I).

(viii)Planning Application DC/15/1761/FUL – Retention of modification and change of use of former agricultural building to Class B8 storage (Building J).

at Larks Pool Farm, Mill Road, Fornham St. Genevieve for C J Volkert Ltd.

These planning applications were presented to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel.  These had originally been referred to the Delegation Panel as the Officer recommendations for approval were contrary to the Parish Council’s response in raising concern to these applications. 

The Committee had visited the site on 25 February 2016.

The Committee was advised that Planning Application DC/15/1757/FUL had been withdrawn by the Applicant prior to the meeting and, therefore, consideration was no longer required.

The following persons spoke on this application:

(a)     Objectors     -        Mark Aston and Colin Hilder

(b)     Applicant     -        Leslie Short (Agent)

In discussing the applications, Members noted the views of the speakers and acknowledged that this was a complicated site with regard to the extensive enforcement history and also with the ongoing enforcement investigations into the present unauthorised uses, which had led to the submission of these applications.  

Some Members also raised concerns with regard to the operations within the site, the impact of the traffic movements to/from the site, the impact on the local highway and the impact on the pedestrian footpath.  In relation to the transport issues, the Case Officer explained that a Transport Statement had been submitted by the Applicant and the Highways Authority did not wish to restrict the granting of planning permission as it was considered that the access was suitable and that the development would have no impact on highway safety.  Therefore, the Highways Authority were not recommending that any conditions be imposed.

It was the general conclusion of both Officers and Members that these applications  ...  view the full minutes text for item 178.

(i)      Full application for 23 affordable dwellings with associated open space, landscaping and parking served by existing access from Stanningfield Road and demolition of existing sheltered housing units; and

(ii)     Outline Application for up to 35 dwellings served by continuation of access of full application

at Erskine Lodge and land adjoining, Stanningfield Road, Great Whelnetham for the Havebury Housing Partnership.

Report No. DEV/SE/16/19

(i)     Full application for 23 affordable dwellings with associated open space, landscaping and parking served by existing access from Stanningfield Road and demolition of existing sheltered housing units; and

(ii)    Outline application for up to 35 dwellings served by continuation of access of full application.

at Erskine Lodge and land adjoining Stanningfield Road, Great Whelnetham for Havebury Housing Partnership

(Councillor Frank Warby declared a pecuniary interest as a Member of the Havebury Housing Partnership Board and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item).

(Councillor Patsy Warby declared a local non-pecuniary interest and remained within the meeting for the consideration of this item).

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was a ‘major development’ and the Officer recommendation to grant planning permission was contrary to the views of the Parish Council.

The Committee had visited the site on 25 February 2016.

The Case Officer firstly reported on the following corrections to the report:

(a)     Paragraph 3.- First sentence; the word ‘social’, be replaced with the word ‘affordable’, therefore now reading:

‘3.      The 23 dwellings proposed in phase 1 are all proposed as ‘affordable housing’ and all for affordable rent.’

(b)     Paragraph 6. – The Case Officer explained that the original date for the public consultation period had now expired.  However, given the size, health impact and the securing within the S106 agreement of a health contribution, the decision had been taken to consult specifically with the NHS Trust, which had been extended to 11 March 2016.  This period of extended consultation had been noted by the public, who also considered that they should have an extended time to submit further representations.  Therefore, to ensure fairness, the overall public consultation period had also been extended to 11 March 2016. 

(c)     Paragraph 147(i). – reference to paragraph ‘227.’ should actually be paragraph ‘145.’, therefore now reading:

‘147.  That, in the event of one or more of the following arising;

(i)      the Head of Planning and Growth recommending alternative (reduced) Heads of Terms from those set out in paragraph 145. above on the grounds of adverse development viability, or’

The Case Officer then reported and summarised the further representations which had been received since the publication of the agenda papers:

(a)     Great Whelnetham Parish Council

·         Maintained their objections to the planning application.

·         The scale of the development proposed was too large for the village and represented over two phases, approximately an increase of 10% of its population.  The existing infrastructure would be unable to cope with this increase.  There was no need to site such a large development at this location.

·         It was premature to grant 35 homes on phase 2.

·         The adoption by the Local Planning Authority of the Development Brief in December 2015, which proposed a total of 60 homes, had ignored local feedback and had not been agreed by residents and was contrary to the Development Policies within the Brief.

·         The proposals were contrary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 179.

7 no. dwellings at Land between 4 and 8 Norfolk Road, Bury St. Edmunds

For Mr John George.

Report No. DEV/SE/16/20

7no. dwellings, at land between 4 and 8 Norfolk Road, Bury St Edmunds, for Mr John George.

(Councillor Julia Wakelam declared a pecuniary interest as she had pre-determined the application by the submission of an objection as a resident of Northgate Avenue and as the Member for the adjoining Ward.  She withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item).

This application was presented to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel, at the request of the Ward Member.  Bury Town Council had made no objections to the proposal, based on the plans received.

The Committee had visited the site on 25 February 2016.

The following persons spoke on this application:

(a)     Objector                -        Jeff Paine

(b)     Ward Member        -        Councillor Diane Hind

(c)     Applicant               -        Richard Sykes-Popham (Agent)

In discussing the application, Members noted the views of the objector and the Ward Member with regard to parking issues/traffic congestion in Norfolk Road, overdevelopment and the levels/gradients within the site and the possible effect this could have on existing properties. 

Decision:

Outline permission be granted.

(i) Proposed stables, barn, office, yard, horse walker, and lunge ring;

and(ii) associated landscaping and access road, as amended by plans and details received 16 December 2015, at Pattles Grove, Chedburgh Road,

Whepstead for Pattles Grove Stud Ltd.

Report No. DEV/SE/16/21

(i)     Change of use of land to horse stud farm

(ii)    Proposed Stables, Barn, Office, Yard, Horse Walker and Lunge Ring

(iii)   Associated landscaping and access road as amended by plans and details received 16 December 2016

at Pattles Grove, Chedburgh Road, Whepstead for Pattles Grove Stud Ltd.

The Committee were advised that this application had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Installation of external wall insulation to the front and rear elevations (Re-submission of DC/15/1343/HH) at 27 Springfield Avenue, Bury St. Edmunds for Mr Oliver Ingwall King.

Report No. DEV/SE/16/22

Installation of external wall insulation to the front and rear elevations (re-submission of Planning Application DC/15/1343/HH), at 27 Springfield Avenue, Bury St Edmunds for Mr Oliver Ingwall King.

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was made by a contracted employee of St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

The following persons spoke on this application:

(a)     Ward Member        -        Councillor David Nettleton

(b)     Applicant               -        Oliver Ingwall King

In discussing the application, it was the view of Members that this application should be supported, as they considered it was an innovative way of undertaking wall insulation on a property of this type, where due to its small size, it was not practical to insulate walls internally.  Members also considered that this proposal would not cause a detrimental impact upon the appearance of adjoining properties or within the area, as a whole.

Decision:

Permission be granted, contrary to the Officer recommendation of refusal,as Members considered that there was sufficient justification for the proposal.