Agenda and minutes
Venue: Conference Chamber, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU
Contact: Helen Hardinge: Democratic Services Officer
Email: helen.hardinge@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Note: Attention is drawn to the guidance document for this meeting linked below //Public speakers are directed to the protcol document linked below
Media
Items
No. |
Item |
155. |
Welcome
Minutes:
The Chair formally commenced the meeting and
welcomed all present to the Development Control Committee, with
special reference made to Councillor Brian Harvey who was attending
his first meeting as a newly appointed member of the Committee.
The Chair also reminded the Committee that
item 7 had been withdrawn from the agenda.
|
156. |
Apologies for absence
Minutes:
Apologies for absence were received from
Councillors Roger Dicker, Andy Drummond, Susan Glossop and Ian
Houlder.
|
157. |
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 Andy Neal substituting for
Councillor Roger Dicker;
Councillor James Lay substitute for Councillor
Andy Drummond; and
Councillor Sara Mildmay-White substituting for
Councillor Susan Glossop
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158. |
Minutes PDF 191 KB
To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on
23 June 2021 and 7 July 2021 (copies attached).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June
2021 were confirmed as a correct record, with 13 voting for the
motion and with 2 abstentions, and were signed by the Chair.
The minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2021
were confirmed as a correct record, with 14 voting for the motion
and with 1 abstention, and were signed by the Chair; subject to the
following additional paragraph being inserted as follows:
151.
Planning Application
DC/21/0110/RM - Land NW of Haverhill, Ann Suckling Road, Little
Wratting (Report No: DEV/WS/21/022)
Councillor David
Smith also addressed the meeting and echoed many of the points made
by Councillor Burns. His largest concern was also the 4 storey
units and the visual impact they would have.
Councillor Susan
Glossop expressed similar concerns regarding the 4 storey units.
She also spoke on the importance of developers working with local
communities and representatives, and listening to their concerns,
in order to create first-rate developments.
Councillor Peter
Stevens stressed that the site was former rolling countryside and
therefore the design of the roof blocks was important to mitigate
the visual impact.
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159. |
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:
Members’ declarations of interest are
recorded under the item to which the declaration relates.
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160. |
Planning Application DC/21/0110/RM - Land NW of Haverhill, Ann Suckling, Little Wratting (Report No: DEV/WS/21/026) PDF 285 KB
Report No: DEV/WS/21/026
Reserved matters application - submission of
details under outline planning permission SE/09/1283 - the means of
access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the
construction of 123 dwellings, together with associated private
amenity space, means of enclosure, car parking, vehicle and access
arrangements together with proposed areas of landscaping and areas
of open space for a phase of residential development known as phase
2b (as amended by plans received 14.5.21 and 21.07.2021)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
(Councillors John
Burns and David Smith each declared a non-pecuniary interest in
this item in light of the fact that they had taken part in
Haverhill Town Council’s consideration of the
application. However, they stressed
that they would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to
voting on the item.)
Reserved matters
application - submission of details under outline planning
permission SE/09/1283 - the means of access, appearance,
landscaping, layout and scale for the construction of 123
dwellings, together with associated private amenity space, means of
enclosure, car parking, vehicle and access arrangements together
with proposed areas of landscaping and areas of open space for a
phase of residential development known as phase 2b (as amended by
plans received 14.5.21 and 21.07.2021)
This application was initially referred to the
Development Control Committee following call-in from Ward Member
(Haverhill North) Councillor Joe Mason. In addition, the Town
Council had voiced objections to the application.
The Principal Planning Officer reminded
Members that the application was part of the wider North West
Haverhill site which was one of two strategic growth sites for
Haverhill identified in the adopted Core Strategy. The application
before the Committee sought approval of the details for part of the
second phase of residential development.
At the meeting of the Development Control
Committee on 7 July 2021 Members resolved to defer consideration of
the application in order to allow Officers additional time in which
to work with the applicant to address some of the concerns raised
by the Committee; relating to the four storey units, the density
and electric charging point provision.
Since the last meeting amendments had been
made to the scheme which the Principal Planning Officer outlined as
follows:
·
The 4 storey units had been reduced to 3 storey thereby reducing
the overall number of dwellings in the application to 123;
·
Five additional visitor spaces had been provided (and not 6 as
incorrectly referenced in Report No DEV/WS/21/026);
·
Electric charging points provision had been enhanced; and
·
Some additional soft landscaping was to be provided including two
feature trees.
The Committee was advised that following the
amendments to the proposal Haverhill Town Council had confirmed
that they now withdrew their objections to the application. The
Town Council made further comments in respect of space standards
and bin collection points which the Officer provided further
explanation on.
It was highlighted that the density of the
development had now reduced to 42dph and, for the benefit of the
meeting, the Principal Planning Officer advised on density
tolerances and the way in which it was calculated.
As part of her presentation the Principal
Planning Officer showed videos of the site by way of a virtual
‘site visit’.
Lastly, the Committee was informed that two
related Reserved Matters applications had been submitted by the
applicant in respect of the sports pitch/play areas and
infrastructure (including highways). Both applications were now
subject to consultation.
Officers were recommending that the
application be granted, subject to conditions as set out in
Paragraph ...
view the full minutes text for item 160.
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161. |
Planning Application DC/20/2066/RM - Land at Rabbit Hill Covert, Station Road, Lakenheath (Report No: DEV/WS/21/027) PDF 287 KB
Report No: DEV/WS/21/027
Reserved matters application - submission of
details approved under outline planning permission F/2013/0345/OUT
for access, layout, scale, appearance
and landscaping (not EIA) for up to 81 dwellings and associated
works (as amended)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Reserved matters
application - submission of details approved under outline planning
permission F/2013/0345/OUT for access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping (not EIA) for up to 81
dwellings and associated works (as amended)
This application was referred to the
Development Control Committee following consideration by the
Delegation Panel.
Members were advised that outline planning
permission was granted for up to 81 dwellings at the site in
September 2018. The application before the Committee sought
approval of matters reserved by condition 2 of the outline planning
permission.
The Principal Planning Officer – Major
Projects explained the linkage between the application site and
that of the adjacent development site which would include
Lakenheath’s second primary school.
The lack of play space within the proposed
scheme was highlighted to Members. The Officer advised that this
was likely to be delivered within the adjacent site, however,
provision had been made to secure financial contributions from this
scheme if necessary.
Attention was also drawn to the initial
comments received from the Council’s waste service in respect
of the scheme. A plan was shown to the meeting which outlined waste
bin movements, comments in response to this had yet to have been
received from the waste service hence a condition had been included
in order to address this matter.
Further to comments made by Lakenheath Parish
Council regarding the “over engineered” road scheme
within the proposal, the Committee were advised of the reasoning
behind this which was to ensure the road was officially adopted by
the Highways Authority.
Reference was made to the supplementary
‘late papers’ which had been circulated following
publication of the agenda and which contained an amended
recommendation to the report.
Further to the matters set out in the late
papers the Officer also:
·
Presented an amended plan which set out the redesign of Plot 40
in order to improve the parking
provision. Members were advised that the Highways Authority were in
support of the amendments; and
·
Highlighted the recent changes to the NPPF, principally in relation
to the definition of “beauty” and how this related to
the application before the Committee.
Officers were recommending that the
application be approved as per the amended recommendation set out
in the supplementary late papers.
Speakers: Lakenheath Parish Council spoke
against the application
(A representative from
the Parish Council did not attend the meeting to personally address
the Committee and instead the Democratic Services Officer read out
a pre-prepared submitted statement on their behalf.)
Kevin Jewell
(applicant) spoke in support of the application
Peter McKeown
(agent) spoke in support of the application
In response to questions/comments posed by
Members during the debate, the Principal Planning Officer –
Major Projects responded as follows:
·
A condition had been included on the outline planning permission in
respect of electric vehicle charging points;
·
Air source heat pumps were proposed for the properties’
heating, however, there was no policy basis for this to be
controlled by conditions; and
·
The Committee was advised that off-site highways improvements were
required at the Sparkes Farm, ...
view the full minutes text for item 161.
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162. |
Planning Application DC/19/2155/FUL - Storage Tank, Station Yard, Station Road, Barnham (Report No: DEV/WS/21/028) (APPLICATION WITHDRAWN FROM AGENDA ON 02/08/21) PDF 223 KB
Report No: DEV/WS/21/028
Planning Application - Continued use of
heating fuel storage and distribution business (Class B8),
retention of 4no. oil storage tanks, installation of 5th oil
storage tank, office portacabin and lighting
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chair advised earlier in the
meeting that this item had been WITHDRAWN from the
agenda.
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163. |
Planning Application DC/21/1366/FUL - West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds (Report No: DEV/WS/21/029) PDF 175 KB
Report No: DEV/WS/21/029
Planning application - Installation of battery
container, and associated foundations and fencing
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Planning application - Installation of battery container, and
associated foundations and fencing
This application was referred to Development
Control Committee as West Suffolk Council is the applicant.
The provision of a battery container,
associated foundations and fencing was previously considered as
part of an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed
development at the site, reference DC/21/0946/CLP however it was
withdrawn from that application as it was considered to need
planning permission and could not be carried out as Permitted
Development under the regulations.
Members were reminded that an amended
application DC/21/0946/CLP for the extension to the substation was
considered at the Development Control Committee on 7 July 2021 and
was granted.
As part of his presentation the Planning
Officer showed videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site
visit’.
Officers were recommending that the
application be approved subject to conditions as set out in
Paragraph 25 of Report No DEV/WS/21/029.
The application prompted considerable
discussion and debate by the Committee with a number comments being
voiced in relation to the proposed location of the battery
container plus related safety and visibility concerns.
The Service Manager (Planning –
Development) advised Members that she would pass on the concerns
raised to the relevant Officers so that they could instruct the
contractors accordingly.
Councillor Jim Thorndyke proposed that
consideration of the application be deferred in order to allow
Officers additional time in which to explore an alternative
location for the container. 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
Consideration of the planning application be
DEFERRED in order to allow Officers additional time in which
to explore an alternative location for the container.
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164. |
Planning Application DC/21/1214/ADV - 21-27 Menta Business Centre, Hollands Road, Haverhill (Report No: DEV/WS/21/030) PDF 147 KB
Report No: DEV/WS/21/030
Application for advertisement consent - one
externally illuminated fascia sign
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Application for advertisement consent - one externally
illuminated fascia sign
This application was referred to Development
Control Committee as West Suffolk Council is the owner of the
application premises.
As part of her presentation the Planning
Officer showed videos of the site by way of a virtual ‘site
visit’.
Officers were recommending that the
application be approved subject to conditions as set out in
Paragraph 19 of Report No DEV/WS/21/030.
Reference was made to the supplementary
‘late papers’ which had been circulated following
publication of the agenda and which contained comments from the
Highways Authority who cited no objection to the proposal.
Councillor David Roach proposed that the
application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation. This
was duly seconded by Councillor Andy Neal.
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 condition, plus the standard advertisement
conditions:
1.
Compliance with plans
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In this section
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