Agenda for Development Control Committee on Wednesday 26 April 2023, 10.00 am

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room, Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall, IP28 7JX

Contact: Helen Hardinge: Democratic Services Officer  Email: democratic.services@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Note: PLEASE NOTE: Agenda Item 6 (Solar Farm, Haverhill) was WITHDRAWN from the agenda on 20/4/2023 

Media

Items
No. Item

339.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Drummond and David Roach.

340.

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 James Lay substituting for Councillor Andy Drummond; and

Councillor Nick Clarke substituting for Councillor David Roach.

341.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 200 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2023 (copy attached).

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair, with 14 voting for the motion and 2 abstentions.

342.

Declarations of interest

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

343.

Planning Application DC/22/1953/FUL - PLOT 1520, Fortress Way, Rougham (Report No: DEV/WS/23/011) pdf icon PDF 458 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/23/011

 

Planning application - ambulance hub including vehicle servicing, car parking and landscaping

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning application - ambulance hub including vehicle servicing, car parking and landscaping

 

The application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it represented a departure from the Development Plan, in that the proposed use, which was Sui Generis, did not technically fall within the allocation for Suffolk Business Park, which was for B1 and B8 uses.

 

As part of his presentation to the meeting the Senior Planning Officer provided videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site visit’.

 

Members were advised that Ward Member (Moreton Hall) Councillor Birgitte Mager had submitted a late representation on the application in relation to traffic/access and this was read out to the Committee.

 

Officers were recommending that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 86 of Report No DEV/WS/23/011 together with the amendments to Condition Nos 2, 8, 10 and 14 as referenced in the supplementary ‘late paper’ that was issued after publication of the agenda and lastly, also inclusive of a boundary treatment (fencing) condition as verbally outlined to the meeting.

 

During the debate reference was made to Councillor Mager’s comments concerning traffic/access.

 

In response the Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that National Highways were consulted on the application and no objections had been raised. Furthermore, it was not possible to condition via a planning application which routes the operators had to take.

 

Considerable discussion took place on the Committee’s desire for the scheme to include solar panels on the roof.

 

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) explained that Policy DM7 in the Local Plan enabled the Planning Authority to require a BREEAM standard of excellence for schemes such as that seeking determination.

 

The agent for the application (James Pritchard) was present in the public gallery and the Chair permitted him to come forward and address the Committee in respect of their specific questions concerning solar panels.

 

Mr Pritchard advised Members that the intention was to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the roof of the building, with any unused or surplus solar electricity to be exported to the grid.

 

Accordingly it was proposed by Councillor John Burns that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor David Smith.

 

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 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.   The development shall achieve BREEAM Excellent standard. This must be evidenced by a BREEAM fully-fitted certificate upon completion. The development shall achieve a Final BREEAM Excellent rating in accordance with the requirements of the relevant BREEAM scheme. The projects Final Certificate must be issued to the local planning authority within a maximum of 6 months post completion.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 343.

344.

Planning Application DC/23/0052/FUL - Solar Farm, EuroAPI, Rookwood Way, Haverhill (Report No: DEV/WS/23/012) pdf icon PDF 759 KB

Report No: DEV/WS/23/012

 

Planning application - ground mounted solar farm with substation, CCTV, boundary fence, landscaping and associated works

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair reminded the meeting that this application had been withdrawn from the agenda and would not be considered by the Development Control Committee.

 

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