Agenda for Development Control Committee on Wednesday 2 October 2019, 10.00 am

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, College Heath Road, Mildenhall

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

Note: Item 8. has been WITHDRAWN from the agenda 

Items
No. Item

40.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Roach and Ann Williamson.

41.

Substitutes

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

Minutes:

The following substitutions were declared:

 

Councillor Carol Bull substituting for Councillor Ann Williamson

Councillor Terry Clements substituting for Councillor David Roach

42.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 235 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 (copy attached).

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

43.

Announcement

Minutes:

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) drew attention to the ‘Agenda Notes’ document that was appended to the front of the agenda. 

 

She advised the Committee that following Council’s adoption on 19 September 2019 of the Forest Heath District Council Core Strategy Single Issue Review of Policy CS7 and Site Allocations Local Plan, the Agenda Notes document would be updated to reflect this.

44.

Planning Application DC/18/2477/FUL - Land at Brickfield Stud, Exning Road, Newmarket (Report No: DEV/WS/19/026) pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/026

 

Planning Application - 79 no. dwellings, a new vehicle access from Exning Road and public open space, together with associated external works including parking and landscaping

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning Application - 79 no. dwellings, a new vehicle access from Exning Road and public open space, together with associated external works including parking and landscaping

 

This application was originally referred to the Development Control Committee on 4 September 2019 because the recommendation was, at that time, contrary the Development Plan and the views of Newmarket Town Council.

 

At their September meeting the Committee resolved to defer consideration of the application until such time as the Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP) was formally adopted by the Authority and in order to allow additional time for Officers to seek a response from Suffolk County Council Highways Authority in respect of the garage sizes proposed within the scheme.

 

On 19 September 2019 West Suffolk Council adopted the Forest Heath District Council Core Strategy Single Issue Review of Policy CS7 and Site Allocations Local Plan.

 

Accordingly, the report before Members took this into account in light of the site now having been formally allocated for residential development and full weight was given to this.

 

Members were also advised that the garages proposed measured 3m x 6m which was adequate for a medium sized car to park.  An additional plan setting out supplementary storage areas (sheds) for dwellings with garages was requested and this was displayed to the Committee as part of the Principal Planning Officer’s presentation. 

 

Suffolk County Council Highways Authority had confirmed, since the last meeting, that their previous comments and conditions still stood in respect of the application.

 

A second Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Officers were continuing to recommend that the application be approved, subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement and conditions as set out in Paragraph 38 of Report No DEV/WS/19/026 and one further additional condition in respect of fire hydrant details.

 

Speakers:    Councillor Simon Cole (neighbouring Ward Member, Exning) spoke against the application

                   Neil Farnsworth (applicant) spoke in support of the application

 

Councillor Andy Drummond again advised the meeting, as he had in September, that he had taken part in Newmarket Town Council’s consideration of the application in February 2019 when they resolved to oppose the scheme.  Furthermore, he had been quoted in the local press following the Town Council’s meeting.  However, Councillor Drummond stressed that he would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to voting on the item.

 

During the debate questions were posted in relation to the access and the distribution of the affordable housing.

 

In response to which, the Principal Planning Officer explained that:

·         Levels drawings had been submitted and Suffolk County Council Highways had confirmed that the access met adoptable standards; and

·         The distribution of the affordable housing proposed for the scheme was considered appropriate and met the preference of registered social landlords.

 

Councillor John Burns drew attention to conditions Nos 11 and 20.  He asked if condition 11 (in respect of electric vehicle charging points) could be amended to read “...the charge point capable of providing a minimum 7kW charge.”  And he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.

Planning Application DC/19/1010/RM - Land Adj Haverhill Business Park, Bumpstead Road, Haverhill (Report No: DEV/WS/19/027) pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/027

 

Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under Outline Planning Permission DC/15/2424/OUT - Matters Reserved by Condition 2 (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for the development of Plots NE1, NE2 and SE2 for Class B1, B2 and B8 use

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Reserved Matters Application - Submission of details under Outline Planning Permission DC/15/2424/OUT - Matters Reserved by Condition 2 (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for the development of Plots NE1, NE2 and SE2 for Class B1, B2 and B8 use

 

The Senior Planning Officer advised the Committee that the application site was allocated in Policy HV9 of the Haverhill Vision 2031 as part of one of the designated General Employment Areas in Haverhill.

 

The reserved matters application before Members sought consent for the appearance, layout, scale and landscaping for the development of plots NE1, NE2 and SE2 in association with the continuation of Haverhill Business Park which was approved under outline planning permission DC/15/2424/OUT as part of a wider application.

 

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as the Officer’s recommendation was contrary to the view of Haverhill Town Council and Ward Member Councillor Tony Brown (Haverhill South East).

 

Members were informed that over the course of the application amendments were made to the overall layout of the scheme and additional information had been submitted regarding, noise, parking and landscaping.

 

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 70 of Report No DEV/WS/19/027.

 

Speakers:    Bill Taylor (on behalf of neighbouring objector Susan Roach, who had been unable to attend the meeting) spoke against the application

                   Andy Smith (agent/architect) spoke in support of the application

                   Bob Tattrie (applicant) spoke in support of the application

 

Prior to opening the debate, the Chair drew attention to an email that all Committee Members had received from Councillor David Roach.  The Chair informed all present that the Monitoring Officer had made comment in respect of the email and advised Members to treat the correspondence as being from a resident objector as opposed to a fellow District Councillor.

 

In response to comments, the Service Manager (Planning – Development) reminded the Committee that no weight was to be given to the indicative layout that was submitted as part of the previous outline planning application and Members needed to determine the reserved matters application that was before them.

 

Councillor Terry Clements made a general comment with regard to roundabouts that were included in schemes such as this.  He asked if Suffolk County Council Highways could be invited to a future Committee Member briefing/seminar in order to cover this matter.

 

Councillor John Burns asked if it would be possible to:

     i.        Extend the footpath that was to run parallel with Iceni Way along the frontage of the site; and

    ii.        Extend the acoustic fencing to also include the perimeter of Unit 2.

 

In response, the Senior Planning Officer explained that changes were unable to be made to the footpath as that element of the application had been secured at outline stage.  However, it would be possible to condition the acoustic fencing to include Unit 2.

 

In light of the Officer’s response, Councillor Burns then proposed that the application be approved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Planning Application DC/18/1712/FUL - Bridgelands Farm, Newmarket Road, Cowlinge (Report No: DEV/WS/19/028) pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/028

 

Planning Application - (i) Conversion of two existing barns into holiday accommodation, (ii) a new-build timber framed treehouse venue space (iii) associated low impact 'no-dig' vehicle access and car parking and (iv) associated landscaping

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning Application - (i) Conversion of two existing barns into holiday accommodation, (ii) a new-build timber framed treehouse venue space (iii) associated low impact 'no-dig' vehicle access and car parking and (iv) associated landscaping

 

This application was originally referred to the Development Control Committee on 4 September 2019 by the previous (St Edmundsbury Borough Council) Ward Member Councillor Jane Midwood and in light of the objection received from Cowlinge Parish Council.

 

A Member site visit took place prior to the September Committee meeting, however, the application was subsequently withdrawn from the agenda in order to clarify certain matters which had now been addressed in the report before Members.

 

Officers were continuing to recommend that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 78 of Report No DEV/WS/19/028.

 

The Senior Planning Officer advised Members of the following updates:

·         Attention was drawn to the supplementary ‘late papers’ which had been issued following publication of the agenda, the Officer highlighted that the application number had been incorrectly listed on the late paper and apologised for this error;

·         Since the late papers were issued a further three public representations had been received in objection to the application.  They raised concerns primarily relating to noise, location, policy and traffic, as largely made reference to by other objectors;

·         Condition 4 required re-wording in order to clarify the limitations in respect of the frequency of weddings and other events; and

·         Suffolk County Council Highways had submitted a further response to the Planning Authority which explained that, according to their records, there was no particular pattern to any road traffic incidents that had taken place in the vicinity.  They also clarified that the most recent fatality in the area was as a result of a DUI.

 

As part of his presentation to the Committee the Officer provided detail on the noise monitoring that had taken place and was set out in the report.  He also explained at length how noise limiters operated in respect of a venue’s sound system.  Members were also reminded that the law allowed up to 28 events per year to be held without planning permission.

 

Lastly, attention was drawn to the transport statement provided by the agent which concluded that the proposed use of the site would generate significantly fewer trips than the site’s most recent occupiers (scaffolding firm).  In addition, Suffolk County Council Highways had stated that they considered that the application would not have a severe impact on the highways network and endorsed the condition in respect of the requested Travel Plan.

 

Speakers:    Paul Cole (neighbouring objector, also speaking on behalf of a number of fellow objecting residents) spoke against the application

                   Gemma Bailey (applicant) spoke in support of the application

 

Considerable discussion took place by the Committee.  In response to which the Officer clarified that if the application was granted by the Committee the scaffolding business would be unable to operate on the site as the scheme before Members concerned the same building.

 

Councillor Jim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

47.

Planning Application DC/19/1116/FUL - Land West of Unit D, Homefield Road, Haverhill (Report No: DEV/WS/19/029) pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/029

 

Planning Application - Gas fired power plant within fenced compound containing 2 no. 2MW generators and associated equipment

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning Application - Gas fired power plant within fenced compound containing 2 no. 2MW generators and associated equipment

                     

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel due to the objection from one of the Ward Members (Haverhill South) and Haverhill Town Council.

 

Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 45 of Report No DEV/WS/19/029.

 

Speaker:      Councillor David Smith (Ward Member: Haverhill South) spoke on the application

                   Ben Wallace (applicant) spoke in support of the application

 

Councillor David Smith advised the meeting that he had taken part in Haverhill Town Council’s consideration of the application when they resolved to oppose the scheme.  Furthermore, he had also been quoted in the report before the Committee, as Ward Member, objecting to the application.  He advised the Committee that he had sought the Monitoring Officer’s advice prior to the meeting.

 

The Solicitor advising the meeting also drew Councillor Smith’s attention to the relevant paragraph within the Councillor’s Planning Code of Conduct which made reference to the potential for perceived predetermination. 

 

A number of comments were made with regard to the application and the potential conflict with the scheme and West Suffolk Council having formally declared a climate emergency.

 

Councillor Peter Stevens spoke in support of the application and highlighted that schemes such as the one proposed were addressing a nationally recognised need for transitional low carbon energy supplies, in order to facilitate an orderly and effective conversion of the UK’s power supply network to renewable energy sources and a carbon neutral state.

 

Councillor Roger Dicker concurred with Councillor Stevens and moved that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.

 

Upon being put to the vote and with 10 voting for the motion, 4 against and with 1 abstention 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.   

 3       Demolition or construction works shall not take place outside 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours Mondays to Fridays and 08:00 hours to 13:30 hours on Saturdays and at no time on Sundays, public holidays or bank holidays.

 

(On conclusion of this item Councillor Peter Stevens left the meeting at 1.00pm.)

 

 

 

48.

Planning Application DC/19/1329/FUL - Land off Pippin Post Close, Stansfield (Report No: DEV/WS/19/030) **AGENDA ITEM WITHDRAWN** pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/030

 

Planning Application - (i) 5no. dwellings (ii) public open space (iii) community orchard and associated landscaping (iv) associated access and parking

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair advised that this item had been WITHDRAWN from the agenda.

49.

Planning Application DC/19/0386/VAR - Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall (Report No: DEV/WS/19/031) pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/19/031

 

Planning Application - (i) Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of DC/18/1489/VAR incorporating amendments to the SuDS, changes to external materials, minor internal layout changes, minor changes to vehicular and pedestrian routes within the site and associated landscaping revisions (ii) Variations of Conditions 5, 11, 32 and 34 to vary the time scale for submission of required details and (iii) Discharge Condition 12 (Deliveries Management Plan),  Condition 19 (Surface Water Disposal), Condition 21 (Surface Water Drainage Scheme), Condition 22 (Surface Water Drainage Components), Condition 29 (Materials), Condition 30 (glazing details) and Condition 38 (Sustainability & Energy Strategy)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Terry Clements declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of him being a Trustee of Abbeycroft Leisure (one of the partner organisations for the Mildenhall Hub). He would remain in the meeting and would take part in the discussion and voting thereon.)

 

Planning Application - (i) Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of DC/18/1489/VAR incorporating amendments to the SuDS, changes to external materials, minor internal layout changes, minor changes to vehicular and pedestrian routes within the site and associated landscaping revisions (ii) Variations of Conditions 5, 11, 32 and 34 to vary the time scale for submission of required details and (iii) Discharge Condition 12 (Deliveries Management Plan),  Condition 19 (Surface Water Disposal), Condition 21 (Surface Water Drainage Scheme), Condition 22 (Surface Water Drainage Components), Condition 29 (Materials), Condition 30 (glazing details) and Condition 38 (Sustainability & Energy Strategy)

 

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as the development relates to a major strategic development site and the applicant was the Council.

 

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that planning permission for the Mildenhall Hub was issued on 24 November 2017 following determination of the application by Forest Heath District Council’s Development Control Committee earlier that same month.  The principal of development of the Mildenhall Hub had therefore been established.

 

Members were further informed that an application to vary condition 3 of DC/17/1106/FUL to amend the timing for the certification of the diverted public right of way was further approved by the Forest Heath District Council Development Control Committee in September 2018 and a decision notice under the reference DC/18/1489/VAR was issued on 6 September 2018.

 

The application before the Committee sought to vary conditions 2, 5, 11, 32 and 34 of DC/18/1489/VAR and to discharge conditions 12, 19, 21, 22, 29, 30 and 38.

 

Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 70 of Report No DEV/WS/19/031.

 

The Principal Planning Officer drew attention to the supplementary ‘late paper’ that was issued following agenda publication and which set out a proposed amendment to condition No 26 (in respect of materials) and also clarified the position in respect of the site in light of West Suffolk Council having adopted the Forest Heath District Council Core Strategy Single Issue Review of Policy CS7 and Site Allocations Local Plan on 19 September 2019.

 

As part of her presentation to the Committee further amendments were proposed to condition Nos 27 and 35 (formerly 38).

 

Speaker:      Laura Morris-De’ath (agent) spoke in support of the application

 

Councillor Ian Houlder spoke in support of the Mildenhall Hub scheme as a whole and proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation and inclusive of the amendments to the conditions as highlighted.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Terry Clements.

 

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 not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

 

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