Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paula Fox, Susan Glossop and Alaric Pugh.

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

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2018 were unanimously received by the Committee as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman. 

Report No: DEV/SE/18/011

Variation of condition 8 of DC/14/2087/OUT to remove use class restrictions limiting B1 (c) light industry to ancillary areas of individual buildings only, allowing for a general B1 (a) (b) (c) light industrial use across the whole site

Variation of condition 8 of DC/14/2087/OUT to remove use class restrictions limiting B1 (c) light industry to ancillary areas of individual buildings only, allowing for a general B1 (a) (b) (c) light industrial use across the whole site

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee as it related to a major development and because objections had been received from both Withersfield Parish Council and Haverhill Town Council.

The Ward Member (Withersfield) also objected to the application along with a number of local residents.

Officers were recommending that the application be approved, as per Paragraph 19 of Report No DEV/SE/18/011 with a minor typographical correction – in that the reference to “Condition 1” be amended to read “Condition 2”.

The Principal Planning Officer explained that the applicants had stated that development plots within the site had been actively marketed, in accordance with the 2014 outline planning permission, however to date no businesses had chosen to locate to the Research Park. 

It was the opinion of the applicants that the condition restriction was no longer necessary and, furthermore, it was this restriction that was contributing to the lack of interest in businesses locating to the site.  Hence, the application before Members was made seeking to vary this.

For Members’ reference the Case Officer, as part of his presentation, outlined the definitions of B1/B2/B8 business use class.

The Committee were advised that since publication of the agenda:

·         A further 9 letters of objection had been received from residents, all raising matters that had previously been covered in earlier representations; and

·         A document stating to be a petition (but which contained no signatures) listing 42 names and addresses, had been handed in immediately prior to the Committee meeting. 

Speakers:    Mr Martin Young (resident) spoke against the application

Councillor Terry Rich (Withersfield Parish Council) spoke against the application

The Case Officer read out a prepared statement from Councillor Pat Hanlon (Haverhill Parish Council) against the application

Councillor Jane Midwood (Ward Member: Withersfield) spoke against the application

(During her statement to the meeting Councillor Midwood explained that she had been emailed the day before by a resident outlining their representation in objection to the application and she would pass this to the Case Officer.)

Mr Paul Sutton (agent) spoke in support of the application

A lengthy debate then ensued with the following comments made by Members of the Committee:

·         The need for a site visit was raised;

·         Discussion took place on potential alternative access routes, to prevent dual use by residents and businesses;

·         The linkage to Vision 2031 and the original aspirations for a ‘research’ park/employment zone were discussed;

·         The potential to amend the condition to apply to just certain areas/plots furthest away from the residential development (and not the whole site) was put forward; and

·         The degree to which the site had been marketed was questioned, with some Members suggesting that more time was needed to undertake this.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) reiterated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report No: DEV/SE/18/012

Househoulder Planning Application – Single storey rear extension

Househoulder Planning Application - Single storey rear extension

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee because the applicant was an employee of the Local Authority.

Haverhill Town Council had cited no objections to the development and no third party representations had been received.

Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions, as set out in Paragraph 12 of Report No DEV/SE/18/012.

Councillor John Burns spoke as Ward Member (Haverhill East) and raised no objection to the proposal.  Henceforth, he moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation.  This was duly seconded by Councillor David Nettleton.

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.   01A – 3 year time limit

2.   14FP – Accordance with approved plans

Report No: DEV/SE/18/013

The Ecology Tree & Landscape Officer advised the Committee that a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was made on two Horse Chestnut trees located at The Foundry, Old Bury Road, Stanton on 23 November 2017.  The TPO was served to protect the two trees in response to an outline planning application to develop the site.

Members were informed that the trees occupied a prominent position within Stanton on the junction of Old Bury Road, Hepworth Road and Upthorpe Road and were considered to contribute significantly to the character, appearance and amenity of the locality.

One letter of objection had been received in response to the TPO (as outlined in Paragraph 5 of Report No DEV/SE/18/013).

Officers considered the TPO to be necessary to ensure that the trees were properly considered as part of any planning application and, therefore, recommended that the TPO be confirmed without modification.

The Chairman spoke as Ward Member (Stanton) and wholeheartedly agreed that the trees in question did contribute significantly to the locality.

Councillor Andrew Smith moved that the recommendation be approved and this was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.

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/028 (2017) The Foundry, Old Bury Road, Stanton be CONFIRMED WITHOUT MODIFICATION.

Prior to closing the meeting, the Chairman reminded all Members that they were to receive a training seminar immediately following the Committee.