Agenda and minutes

The Chair formally commenced the meeting and jointly welcomed all present and those externally viewing the Development Control Committee.

A number of housekeeping matters and remote meeting guidance were highlighted to all.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Roach.

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

The following substitution was declared:

Councillor Carol Bull substituting for Councillor David Roach

The Democratic Services Officer then verbally outlined all Members of the Committee who were present, together with any attending Councillors and the names of the Officers supporting the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 were unanimously confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

“105. Planning Application DC/20/1816/HH - 6 Nethergate Street, Hopton     (Report No: DEV/WS/21/003)

Speakers:    Councillor Carol Bull (Ward Member: Barningham) spoke on behalf of the applicant, in support of the application made a statement on behalf of the applicant

Lee Brewer (agent) spoke in support of the application”

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary or local non pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, no later than when that item is reached and, when appropriate, to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

Members’ declarations of interest are recorded under the item to which the declaration relates.

Report No: DEV/WS/21/004

Householder planning application - detached garage

(On commencing this agenda item it became apparent that the registered speakers were experiencing difficulty in connecting to the meeting. The Chair therefore asked the Case Officer to postpone their presentation until all external parties had successfully connected.)

Householder planning application - detached garage

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel and in view of the Parish Council having objected to the scheme, which was in conflict with the Officer’s recommendation of approval, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 29 of Report No DEV/WS/21/004.

As part of the Case Officer’s presentation attention was drawn to the supplementary ‘late papers’ that had been circulated following publication of the agenda and which set out further comments from the Parish Council and the Highways Authority. The Officer also provided videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Speakers:    Janet Davies (neighbouring objector) spoke against the application

                   Councillor David Bambury (Flempton cum Hengrave Parish Council) spoke against the application

                   (Councillor Bambury did not connect to the meeting to personally address the Committee and instead opted to have the Democratic Services Officer read out a pre-prepared submitted statement on his behalf.)

                   Councillor Susan Glossop (Ward Member: Risby) spoke on the application

                   Warwick Lowe (applicant) spoke in support of the application

A number of questions were posed by the Committee which the Case Officer and Service Manager (Planning – Development) responded to as follows:

Shading assessment report – this was not considered necessary in connection with the application in view of the height, location and position of the existing boundary fence and vegetation;

Previous dormer window application/emergency access – emergency egress/use of the previously approved dormer window, was a Building Regulations matter and not a material planning consideration; and

Size of garage – Officers confirmed that the garage could accommodate two cars and the Highways Authority considered there to be sufficient manoeuvring space to allow a vehicle to leave the site in a forward gear.

Councillor Mike Chester proposed that the application be approved as per the Officer recommendation. This was duly seconded by Councillor Roger Dicker.

Upon being put to the vote and with 13 voting for the motion, 1 against and with 2 abstentions 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 three 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       The relevant works shall not take place until details in respect of the following have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

          i)       Samples of external materials and surface finishes

          ii)       Details of the materials, colour/finish and means of opening of the garage doors

          The works shall be carried out in full accordance with the approved details unless otherwise subsequently approved in writing by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Report No: DEV/WS/21/005

Planning application - a. insertion of two external doors and seven windows to north elevation b. replacement of external condensation units on north elevation c. external door to south elevation

Planning application - a. insertion of two external doors and seven windows to north elevation b. replacement of external condensation units on north elevation c. external door to south elevation

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as the applicant was West Suffolk Council.

No objections had been received to the scheme, Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 24 of Report No DEV/WS/21/005.

As part of her presentation the Case Officer provided videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Councillor John Burns proposed that the application be approved as per the Officer recommendation and this was duly seconded by Councillor Ian Houlder.

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 be begun not later than three 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.