Agenda for St Edmundsbury Development Control Committee on Thursday 5 October 2017, 10.00 am

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Chamber, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU

Contact: Helen Hardinge  Email: helen.hardinge@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jim Thorndyke.

2.

Substitutes

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

Minutes:

Councillor Sara Mildmay-White attended the meeting as substitute for Councillor Jim Thorndyke.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 184 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2017 (copy attached).

Minutes:

In light of discussions that had been held separately of the Committee in relation to the contents of the minutes of the previous meeting, the Lawyer assured the Committee that after thorough investigation Officers and the Chairman, Councillor Jim Thorndyke, were satisfied that the minutes were a true and accurate record.

 

Councillor David Nettleton clarified that despite not having been recorded as present, he did attend the previous meeting as evident in the contents of the minutes.

 

Councillors Peter Stevens, Alaric Pugh and John Burns declared that they would not take part in the vote as they were not present at the previous meeting.

 

Councillors Ian Houlder and Terry Clements spoke in support of the content of the minutes.

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2017 were then confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

 

4.

Planning Application DC/17/0599/FUL - 5 Francis Close, Haverhill pdf icon PDF 234 KB

Report No: DEV/SE/17/040

 

Planning Application - (i) 1no building to include 4no. flats (following demolition of existing dwelling), (ii) new vehicular access and parking, (iii) replacement of existing boundary fences and (iv) insertion of dropped kerb

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning Application – (i) 1no building to include 4no. flats (following demolition of existing dwelling), (ii) new vehicular access and parking, (iii) replacement of existing boundary fences and (iv) insertion of dropped kerb.

 

The application was referred to the Development Control Committee at the request of the Delegation Panel. The matter was presented before the Delegation Panel as the Town Council had raised objections, which was contrary to the Officer recommendation of approval, subject to conditions, as set out in paragraph 33 of Report No: DEV/SE/17/040.

 

The Planning Officer explained that the application before the Committee sought the erection of one building to accommodate four flats, new vehicular access and parking and insertion of dropped kerb. The application proposed to demolish the existing house and build in its place a small, two storey development of four one bedroom flats. During the course of the application the Agent had reduced the width of the building to provide a more harmonious relationship in the setting of the existing site. The number of flats had also been reduced from five (4 x two bed and 1 x one bed) to 2 x one bed units and 2 x two bed units.

 

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting. Representations had been received from Haverhill Town Council and neighbouring properties citing objections listed in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the report.

 

As part of his presentation the Officer explained that the applicant had agreed to provide a new pedestrian footway on the southern side of Francis Close on the opposite side of the highway to No. 5 which would link to the existing footpath. The existing bollard at the end of Francis Close would be re-positioned to provide for parking and manoeuvring space.

 

Speakers:    Grace Cutts (neighbour) spoke against the application

                   Councillor Barry Robbins (Ward Member: Haverhill North)                             spoke against the application

                   Rachel Moses (Agent) spoke in support of the application

 

The Case Officer also read out a statement submitted by Haverhill Town Council against the application.

 

During discussion a number of Members raised concerns on the application in relation to; vehicular access to the site, the lack of off-street car parking in the area and the size of the proposed dwellings.

 

The Officer responded to the concerns and clarified that:

·         The Highways Authority had submitted no objections to the application in relation to vehicular access to the site.

·         The proposal would provide an additional four car parking spaces and would retain the garage associated with the property to accommodate secure cycle storage.

·         The Council had not yet adopted their own enforceable space standard. Policy DM22 did however require new housing to be fit for purpose and function well, providing adequate space, light and privacy and Officers were of the opinion that the dwellings met the policy requirement.

 

Some Members were, however, in agreement that the proposed dwellings were considered as affordable housing in an area where there was a shortage of that type of housing.

 

Councillor John Burns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

 

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