Agenda for Planning Committee on Tuesday, 5th December, 2017, 7.00 p.m.

Councillor Fellowes.

Councillor Ball replaced Councillor Harrison for the duration of the meeting.

DECLARATIONS UNDER THE REGULATORY COMMITTEE PROBITY

CODE

Item 4 – 17/01426/FULL – 40 Mountfields, Pitsea

Councillors Schrader and Sheppard - lobbied

Item 6 – 17/01168/VAR – Outwood Farm, Outwood Farm Road, Billericay

Councillors Ball and Schrader - lobbied

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 21 November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21 November 2017 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

(For voting see Appendix, column 1.)

The Committee considered Planning Application No. 17/01168/VAR, which sought to modify the wording of condition 3 imposed on Planning Application No. 14/00948/FULL in relation to Outwood Farm, Outwood Farm Road in order to increase the timeframe of the temporary planning permission granted from 26 years to a total of 32 years (an additional 6 years).

No objections had been received from statutory consultees. However, Billericay Town Council, Great Burstead and South Green Parish Council and Ramsden Bellhouse Parish Council had all objected. Reasons for their objections were that the land should revert to green belt after 26 years, there was no justification to extend the period, the solar panels would degrade by 2040, the application was premature and the landscaping and ecological measures intended to mitigate the anticipated effects had yet to be implemented.

The meeting was adjourned for a short period to allow members of the public to address the Committee. A member of the public spoke against the application, objecting for reasons of harm to the green belt, the non-compliance with landscaping conditions and the inability to know the life-span of the solar panels at this early stage. Another member of the public spoke about the ecological measures being introduced by the applicant and the positive effects on local wildlife. Two representatives of the applicant spoke in favour of the application, providing more information on the reasons for requesting the extension to the term, the biodiversity management plan that was in place and the importance of renewable energy.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members discussed whether the variation of the original condition to extend the temporary permission by six years would cause significant additional harm to the green belt.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01168/VAR be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

•   Replacement condition no. 3 to permission 14/00948/FULL.

•   If the equipment stops generating electricity for a period in excess of six months from 11 December 2040 the equipment is to be fully removed and the site should be returned to its condition prior to the granting of planning permission.

•   In all other respects the development is subject to the conditions imposed on the application 14/00948/FULL.

(For voting see Appendix, column 2.)

The Committee considered an application for the construction of a single storey side extension at 40 Mountfields, Pitsea.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees. One letter of objection had been received in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations, on the grounds that the extension would be only one metre from the site boundary; it would be in front of the building line and impinge on the spaciousness of the area; it would erode the character of the property and have a permanent detrimental visual impact on the immediate surrounding area; and it would give rise to noise, dust, disruption and vehicular congestion during construction.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members considered that the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01426/FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

1.    Development to be commenced within 3 years.

2.    Development to be in accordance with the approved plans.

3.    Development to be constructed in similar materials to those used on the dwelling.

(For voting see Appendix, column 3.)

The Committee considered an application for a single storey, part new and part replacement, rear extension at 1 Keepers Cottage, Potash Road, Billericay.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees or in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and most considered that the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01011/FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

1.    Commencement within 3 years.

2.    Development in accordance with the approved plans.

3.    Material finishes to match the existing dwelling.

(For voting see Appendix, column 4.)

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a four bedroom detached chalet at Chase End, Broomhills Chase, Little Burstead, Billericay.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees or in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members considered that the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01361/FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

·         Commencement of development within three years.

·         Development in accordance with the approved plans.

·         Exterior material details to be agreed with LPA prior to commencement of works.

·         Removal of Permitted Development rights for extensions and roof alterations.

(For voting see Appendix, column 5.)

The Committee considered an application for the creation of an extension to the car parking area located to the north of the existing care home at Gifford House, London Road, Bowers Gifford.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees or in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations. However, Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet Parish Council had commented that they felt that the opportunity should be taken to increase the number of parking spaces.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members considered that the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01394/FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

Prior to completion/occupation

1.    Parking area not to be brought into use until approved landscaping scheme has been carried out.

2.    Submission, approval and implementation of a landscaping scheme.

Restricting use/general

3.    Commence with 3 years.

4.    Carried out in accordance with approved plans.

(For voting see Appendix, column 6.)

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a four bedroom detached chalet at Trienedra, Southlands Road, Crays Hill.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees or in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members considered that the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01298/FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

·         Commencement of development within three years.

·         Development in accordance with the approved plans.

·         Development to be constructed of the materials specified in the application.

·         Removal of Permitted Development rights for extensions and roof alterations.

(For voting see Appendix, column 7.)

The Committee considered an application for a part single, part two-storey rear extension at 8 Devonshire Road, Laindon.

No objections had been received from statutory consultees, subject to a condition requested by Essex County Council Highways and Transportation relating to storage of materials during construction, or in response to neighbour/3rd party consultations.

No members of the public addressed the Committee.

The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application and Members considered that, subject to an additional condition that would enable the siting of two parking spaces to the front of the dwelling, the proposal was acceptable on this site.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 17/01505//FULL be granted planning permission, subject to conditions including:

1.    Commence within 3 years.

2.    Carried out in accordance with the approved plans.

3.    Materials to match.

4.    No first floor flank window openings to be created in the extension.

5.    Storage of materials to take place within the site.

6.    Notwithstanding the submitted plans, a scheme to show two parking spaces and access thereto, shall be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development.  Such scheme as is agreed shall be implemented prior to the occupation of the extensions hereby approved and thereafter kept available for such purposes at all times.

(For voting see Appendix, column 8.)