Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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

No substitutions were declared.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2022 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2022 were confirmed as a correct record, with 14 voting for the motion and with 2 abstentions, and were signed by the Chair.

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/22/022

Application for Reserved Matters pursuant to hybrid planning permission SE/09/1283 for Infrastructure comprising of: the internal estate roads, drainage, POS, landscaping, and allotments for Land at North West Haverhill

(Councillors John Burns and David Smith each declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that they had attended Haverhill Town Council’s meeting when the Town Council considered the application. However, both Councillors stressed that they would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to voting on the item.)

Application for Reserved Matters pursuant to hybrid planning permission SE/09/1283 for Infrastructure comprising of: the internal estate roads, drainage, POS, landscaping, and allotments for Land at North West Haverhill

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following a call-in from the local Ward Member (Councillor Joe Mason – Haverhill North). Haverhill Town Council also objected to the application.

Members were advised that the application was part of the wider northwest Haverhill site, which was one of the two strategic growth sites for Haverhill identified in the adopted Core Strategy. The application before the Committee sought approval of the details for the infrastructure for phases two to six of the site which already has outline planning permission.

The Principal Planning Officer informed the meeting that the site had previously been the subject of significant public engagement through the preparation and adoption of a concept statement and a masterplan. Outline planning permission was granted on 27 March 2015 for residential development, a primary school, local centre including retail and community uses, public open space, landscaping infrastructure, servicing and other associated works alongside full permission for the construction of a relief road.

A number of changes had been made during the course of the application which were highlighted as part of the presentation to the meeting.

Since publication of the agenda four further representations had been received objecting to the application, all of which referenced matters covered in previous objections contained within the report.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.

Attention was drawn to the supplementary ‘late papers’ issued in respect of the application and which set out a corrected map.

The Principal Planning Officer also highlighted the following errors in Report No DEV/WS/22/022:

·         Paragraph 8.30 which inaccurately referenced a 3-metre footway; that should have read 2-metre; and

·         Condition B2 from the outline permission had been mistakenly omitted from the list in Paragraph 8.98.

Officers were recommending that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 9.0 of the report, inclusive of the following amendments:

1.   Revisions to the wording of Conditions 4, 9 and 11; and

2.   Corrections to some plan reference numbers in Condition 1.

Speakers:    Michael Ford (resident objector, also representing a number of other local residents) spoke against the application

                   Councillor Jo Mason (Ward Member: Haverhill North) spoke against the application

                   Isaac Jolly (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Councillor Mason was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer read out a pre-prepared statement on his behalf.)

Considerable debate took place on the application with a number of Members voicing highways related concerns, particularly in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 253.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/023

Planning Application - 141 no. dwellings and associated infrastructure including roads, parking, sustainable drainage, pumping station and public open space, as amended

(Councillor Roger Dicker declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that he owned and occupied a property within Red Lodge village. However, Councillor Dicker stressed that he would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to voting on the item.)

Planning Application - 141 no. dwellings and associated infrastructure including roads, parking, sustainable drainage, pumping station and public open space, as amended.

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as the proposals were for ‘major’ development and the Parish Council objected to the scheme.

Furthermore, part of the site (the woodland public open space) was situated outside of the limits of the Local Plan allocation and beyond the settlement boundaries of the village.

Officers were recommending that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 274 of Report No DEV/WS/22/023.

The Principal Planning Officer highlighted that the recommendation before the Committee was subject to Delegated Authority being given to the Director (Planning and Growth) to resolve the items listed as i) – iv) in Paragraph 274.

The Principal Planning Officer also highlighted the following errors in the report:

·         Paragraph 174 referred to Lakenheath Wastewater Treatment Works, and it should have read Tuddenham;

·         Paragraph 217’s reference to Phase A should be entirely disregarded; and

·         The S106 contributions in Paragraph 274 (iv) were listed inaccurately in respect of primary education, secondary education and health care plus a contribution towards libraries had been mistakenly omitted.

Speaker:      Kath Slater (agent) spoke in support of the application

(Red Lodge Parish Council had also registered to speak but had indicated that they would be unable to attend the meeting in person and intended submit a written statement to be read out. The Chair asked the Democratic Services Officer to verbally update the meeting on the current position, the Officer advised that she had her email account open before her and no further communication had been received from the Parish Clerk since their initial request to register.)    

Councillor Andy Drummond opened the debate and addressed the meeting in his capacity as Suffolk County Councillor for Red Lodge. He noted that the applicant’s strategy having changed, meaning they no longer proposed to provide Calor gas as a fuel source to serve their proposed development, thereby meaning the roads in the scheme could be adopted by the Highways Authority if constructed to an adoptable standard. Councillor Drummond therefore posed the question as to why there was no contribution to highways improvements listed (in particular a TRO relating to parking restrictions) in the S106 Agreement and he asked if the Planning Authority could request that Suffolk County Council Highways reconsider this matter, particularly in view of the Parish Council’s objection largely relating to highways concerns.

Councillor Brian Harvey highlighted the emergency access that had been put in place for the Yellow Land South parcel, part of which ran through the application site, and stressed the importance of ensuring that this access was not restricted over the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 254.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/024

Planning application - a. single storey extension to north wing; b. alterations to garage and addition of garden/woodshed; c. provision of bicycle storage (following removal of shed); d. external window and door alterations; e. electric charging points; f. provision of call point on south pedestrian gate; g. gratings over window areas; h. associated landscaping; i. relocation of amenity space for west wing; j. installation of flue liners and cowls

Application for listed building consent - External alterations to include; a. single storey extension to north wing to include partial demolition of rear wall and window; b. external door and window alterations to include replacement and reinstatement of window and doors to rear elevation; c. provision of gratings to basement window areas; Internal alterations involving remodelling of internal layouts to include; demolition of staircase to main entrance hall to allow for large dining area; b. partial relocation of modified staircase from main entrance hall to new stairwell within existing laundry room; c. demolition of internal partition between existing bedroom one and two; d. provision of new attic staircase; e. upgrading of thermal elements to existing attic accommodation together with provision of shower room; f. upgrading of internal doors to half hour fire resistance; g. renewal of services to include electrics, heating and plumbing together with other modifications

(Councillors Mike Chester and Andrew Smith declared non-pecuniary interests in this item in light of the fact that they were members of the congregation of their Parish Churches which came under the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese as did the application site, they therefore asked that this be noted in the interests of transparency.

Councillor Peter Stevens also declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that he had been invited to view the building in question prior to the scheduled site visit, he therefore asked that this also be noted in the interests of transparency.)

Planning application - a. single storey extension to north wing; b. alterations to garage and addition of garden/woodshed; c. provision of bicycle storage (following removal of shed); d. external window and door alterations; e. electric charging points; f. provision of call point on south pedestrian gate; g. gratings over window areas; h. associated landscaping; i. relocation of amenity space for west wing; j. installation of flue liners and cowls

Application for listed building consent - External alterations to include; a. single storey extension to north wing to include partial demolition of rear wall and window; b. external door and window alterations to include replacement and reinstatement of window and doors to rear elevation; c. provision of gratings to basement window areas; Internal alterations involving remodelling of internal layouts to include; demolition of staircase to main entrance hall to allow for large dining area; b. partial relocation of modified staircase from main entrance hall to new stairwell within existing laundry room; c. demolition of internal partition between existing bedroom one and two; d. provision of new attic staircase; e. upgrading of thermal elements to existing attic accommodation together with provision of shower room; f. upgrading of internal doors to half hour fire resistance; g. renewal of services to include electrics, heating and plumbing together with other modifications

These applications were referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel.

Officers were recommending that the planning application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 93 of Report No DEV/WS/22/024.

However, Officers were also recommending that the application for Listed Building Consent be refused for the reason outlined in Paragraph 94 of the report. This recommendation was in conflict with the view of Bury St Edmunds Town Council who supported the proposal.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting, in addition, as part of her presentation the Planning Officer also showed videos of the interior of the site.

Speakers:    Dr Jackie Hall (St Edmundsbury Fabric Advisory Committee) spoke in support of the application

                   Councillor Robert Everitt (Adjacent Ward Member: Minden, speaking on behalf of the Ward Members for Abbeygate) spoke in support of the application

                   The Very Reverend Joe Hawes (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Dr Hall was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer played a pre-recorded audio file on her behalf.)

In view  ...  view the full minutes text for item 255.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/025

Planning application - six dwellings with access, parking and associated site work

Planning application - six dwellings with access, parking and associated site work

This application was originally referred to the Development Control Committee on 1 June 2022 following consideration by the Delegation Panel. West Row Parish Council objected to the scheme on highway safety grounds.

Ward Member (The Rows) Councillor Don Waldron had also raised queries with regard to the commencement of a previous permission and subsequent fallback position.

The application was subsequently deferred by the Committee to enable a Member site visit to take place and to provide further clarification on highway related matters, which was set out in Report No DEV/WS/22/025 for consideration.

Officers were continuing to recommend that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 21 of the report.

Speakers:    Sarah Carter (neighbouring objector, on behalf of the residents of Park Gardens) spoke against the application    

                   Councillor Don Waldron (Ward Member: The Rows) spoke on the application

                   Gavin Wells (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Sarah Carter was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer read out a pre-prepared statement on her behalf.)

Councillor Mike Chester proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation. This was duly seconded by Councillor John Burns.

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.

 3       Before the dwelling at plot 4 hereby permitted is first occupied/brought into use, the first floor bathroom window in the south elevation shall be fitted with obscure glass to Pilkington glass level 4 privacy or an equivalent standard and shall consist only of non-operable fixed lights up to 1.70m from floor level and shall be retained in such form in perpetuity.

 4       The Construction Management Statement already submitted with the application shall be adhered to throughout the construction period (except from the superseded domestic waste collection paragraph).

 5       No construction HGV movements, loading and unloading of vehicles or deliveries shall be taken or despatched outside the hours of 08:00 - 18:00 Mondays to Friday and 08:00 – 13.00 on Saturdays and no deliveries shall be taken or despatched on Sundays and Bank Holidays unless agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 6       Demolition or construction works shall not take place outside 8:00 hours to 18:00 hours Mondays to Fridays and 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours on Saturdays and at no time on Sundays, public holidays or bank holidays.

 7       All construction lighting installations to be provided at the site, including those within the car parking areas, service yards and security, shall be positioned so as not to cause unacceptable glare to the residential properties in the vicinity of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 256.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/026

Householder planning application - a. two storey front extension; b. two storey side and rear extension; c. conversion and extension of existing garage to habitable space; d. single storey side extension to existing garage (following demolition of existing flat roofed garage); e. roof alterations to existing link extension; f. two bay cartlodge with room above

Householder planning application - a. two storey front extension; b. two storey side and rear extension; c. conversion and extension of existing garage to habitable space; d. single storey side extension to existing garage (following demolition of existing flat roofed garage); e. roof alterations to existing link extension; f. two bay cartlodge with room above

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel. It was referred to the Delegation Panel at the request of Ward Member (Manor) Councillor Brian Harvey.

Barton Mills Parish Council had confirmed their support for the proposal which was in conflict with the Officer’s recommendation of refusal, for the reason set out in Paragraph 36 of Report No DEV/WS/026.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting, in addition, as part of her presentation the Planning Officer also showed videos of the site.

The Officer also outlined the planning history of the site as it had been omitted from the report and advised Members that the Planning Authority had requested that elements of the scheme be rethought to alleviate some of their concerns, however, the application had not been amended in any way.

Speaker:      Heather Marsh (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Mrs Marsh was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer played a pre-recorded audio file on her behalf.)

A number of Members voiced support for the application with reference being made to the large plot, the limited visibility of the property and the fact that the proposed location of the cartlodge avoided the mature trees.

Councillor Brian (Ward Member for the application: Manor) spoke in support of the scheme. He proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, as he considered that it did not harm the character and appearance of the existing dwelling. This was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.

At the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Officer verbally outlined the conditions that could be appended to a permission if Members were minded to approve the application.

Upon being put to the vote and with 8 voting for the motion and with 6 against, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION 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, unless otherwise stated.

3.   The development hereby permitted shall be constructed entirely of the materials detailed on the submitted application form.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/027

Householder planning application - two storey side extension with repositioning of existing solar panels

Householder planning application - two storey side extension with repositioning of existing solar panels

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel. It was referred to the Delegation Panel at the request of Ward Member (Rougham) Councillor Sara Mildmay-White.

Officers were recommending that the application be refused for the reason set out in Paragraph 32 of Report No DEV/WS/22/027.

The Planning Officer advised Members that since publication of the agenda Rushbrooke with Rougham Parish Council had confirmed that they did not object to the application.

As part of his presentation the Officer also showed videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

Speakers:    Councillor Sara Mildmay-White (Ward Member: Rougham) spoke in support of the application

                   Michaela Teagle (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Mrs Teagle was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer played a pre-recorded audio file on her behalf.)

Councillor Andy Drummond spoke in support of the scheme. He proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, as he considered that it did not harm the character and appearance of the existing dwelling. This was duly seconded by Councillor David Roach.

At the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Officer verbally outlined the conditions that could be appended to a permission if Members were minded to approve the application.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unaimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION 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, unless otherwise stated.