Agenda item

Report No: DEV/WS/21/012

Application for advertisement consent - two internally illuminated digital totem signs with static BID map to replace existing signage

(Councillor Rachel Hood declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that she was a member of Newmarket Town Council who had discussed the application and had also attended the Delegation Panel meeting when the application was discussed.  However, Councillor Hood stressed that she was not a member of Newmarket BID and would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to voting on the item. The Monitoring Officer also informed the Committee of the advice she had given Councillor Hood in relation this matter and was satisfied with Councillor Hood’s position.

Councillor Susan Glossop also declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that she was West Suffolk Council's representative on the Newmarket BID's Board of Directors. She therefore would not take part in the discussion or voting thereon in respect of this application.)

Application for advertisement consent - two internally illuminated digital totem signs with static BID map to replace existing signage

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel and in view of the support given by Newmarket Town Council and neighbouring premises; which was in conflict with the Officer’s recommendation of refusal for the reason set out in Paragraph 53 of Report No DEV/WS/21/012.

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

Speakers:    Steve Elsom (local resident and business owner) spoke in support of the application

                   Councillor Michael Jefferys (Newmarket Town Council) spoke in support of the application

                   Paul Brown (Newmarket BID, applicant) spoke in support of the application

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

During the debate a number of Members made comments on the application recognising that the entirety of Newmarket High Street fell within the wider designated Conservation Area yet also giving weight to the much-needed economic benefit the signage could provide to the town.

Councillor John Burns voiced support for the application and disagreed with the Officer’s reason for refusal in that he did not consider that the proposed development will cause harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset. Accordingly, he proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Richard Alecock.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) advised the Committee that if they were minded to approve the application contrary to the Officer recommendation a Risk Assessment would not be required.

The Planning Officer then verbally outlined the conditions which could be appended to a permission.

Upon being put to the vote and with 13 voting for the motion and with 2 abstentions, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION, subject to the following conditions:

1.   This consent shall expire at the end of a period of five years beginning with the date of this notice.

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 maximum luminance from the internally illuminated signs shall not

exceed 2500 candela/m2.

4.   The advertisements hereby permitted shall only be illuminated between the following hours: 9am - 4pm.

(On conclusion of this item the Chair permitted a short comfort break and asked that an adjournment slide be displayed in the live stream, before reconvening the virtual meeting and taking a roll-call of those present.)