Agenda item

Report No: DEV/FH/15/009

Planning Application - Construction of horse walker and re-location of previously approved menage.

Construction of horse walker and re-location of previously approved ménage.

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel and because Newmarket Town Council raised concerns with regard to the close proximity of the horse walker to residential properties.

A Member site visit had been held prior to the meeting.  Officers were recommending that planning permission be granted as set out in Paragraph 33 of Report No DEV/FH/15/009.

The Senior Planner advised the Committee that since publication of the agenda one further email of representation had been received which covered most of the points raised previously (as set out in Paragraph 13 of the report) together with additional reference to:

·         Concern at young children in residential properties having their sleep disturbed;

·         Noise pollution from music; and

·         Issues with being subjected to overhearing the bad language associated with the racing fraternity.

The Officer also informed Members that an additional condition needed to be added to the list in Paragraph 33 to ensure that the rubber matting within the horse walker was retained and maintained.

Councillor Andy Drummond welcomed the additional condition but made reference to the limits set for the hours of use of the horse walker (condition No 3 in Paragraph 33).  He proposed that these limits should be amended and set at no more than 9.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am – 4.00pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.  He proposed that the application be approved inclusive of the additional condition re the matting and with his amendment to the hours of use.  His proposal was duly seconded by Councillor Eddie Stewart.

A number of Members supported the proposed amendment to the maximum hours of use of the horse walker.  However, some raised questions as to the impact the seasons would have on the hours of use as no lighting was to be installed; meaning they would be limited to daylight hours of usage.

The Development Manager proposed that condition No 3 be amended further in order to allow the Head of Planning and Growth, in consultation with the Committee Chairman and Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Transport, to consult with colleagues in Environmental Services with regard to the precise hours of use of the horse walker, but that the maximum be set as proposed by Councillor Drummond.   Councillor Drummond and Councillor Stewart confirmed they were happy to take this further amendment on board as part of their motion.

Councillor Carol Lynch then proposed a further motion in that the application be approved as per the Officer recommendation set out in Paragraph 33 (with no amendments).  However, this motion was not seconded by another Member of the Committee.

The Chairman, therefore, put Councillor Drummond’s motion to the vote and with 11 voting for the motion, 4 against and with 1 abstention it was resolved that:

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1.   Time limit;

2.   Boundary treatment details to be submitted and approved;

3.   Limit hours of use for horse walker to a maximum of 9.00am – 6.00pm Monday – Saturday and 10.00am – 4.00pm Sundays and Bank Holidays and that Delegated Authority be given to the Head of Planning and Growth, in consultation with the Committee Chairman and Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Transport, to consult with colleagues in Environmental Services with regard to the precise hours of use of the horse walker (bearing in mind the seasonal variations to daylight hours);

4.   No lighting to ménage;

5.   Compliance with approved plans; and

6.   Rubber matting within the horse walker to be retained and maintained.

Councillor Tim Huggan joined the meeting at 6.19pm during the preliminary discussion of the above item.