Agenda and minutes

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 28 June 2017.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2017 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor G Chambers declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of having dealings with the applicant and local residents. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2446/16 – Buckhurst Hill FC, Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill.

(b)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being on the planning committee of Loughton Town Council. The Councillor had determined that her interest was non-pecuniary and she would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1479/17 – 27 Fallow Fields, Loughton.

·         EPF/1540/17 – 18 Albion Park, Loughton.

(c)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors A Lion, K Chana and D Sunger declared non-pecuniary interests in the following items of the agenda by virtue of being Chigwell Parish Councillors. The Councillors had determined that their interests were non-pecuniary and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·         EPF/3386/16 – Land West of Froghall Lane, South of Chigwell Cemetery, Chigwell.

·         EPF/0329/17 – Land adjacent to The Paddock, Grove Lane, Chigwell.

(d)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor L Mead declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that her interest was non-pecuniary but she would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1325/17 – Oaklands School, 8 Albion Hill, Loughton.

(e)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C C Pond and Mrs C P Pond declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being acquainted with the applicant. The Councillors had determined that their interest was non-pecuniary and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1229/17 – 32 Woodland Road, Loughton.

(f)           Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Patel declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following items of the agenda by virtue of his son attending both the school and the football club. The Councillor had determined that his interests were non-pecuniary and he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the applications and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1325/17 – Oaklands School, 8 Albion Hill, Loughton.

·         EPF/2446/16 – Buckhurst Hill FC, Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill.

(g)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Neville declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2446/16 – Buckhurst Hill FC, Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

The Sub-Committee noted that there was no urgent business for consideration.

(Director of Governance) To consider application EPF/1325/17 to modify the S106 agreement linked to planning permission reference EPF/1097/09. The proposed modification is to restrict pupil numbers at Oaklands School, 8, Albion Hill, Loughton to 273 following the completion of the car park and dropping off area approved, on appeal, under planning permission reference EPF/2774/15 (an increase of 30 pupils above the current restriction of 243).

The Principal Planning Officer advised that Oaklands School provided teaching and other services for children who ranged between 2 and a half years and 11 years of age. However, because of its primarily residential nature, narrow width, and gradient, Albion Hill was not a suitable road for parking and setting down and picking up school children. The school also has very limited off street spaces and hence most staff that travel by car had to park in nearby streets. It is for these highway and parking reasons that a legal agreement was entered in to (alongside the planning approval EPF/174/83) to restrict the school roll to 243, and this was repeated in the modified legal agreement drawn up in conjunction with EPF/1097/09.

The school had tried to reduce congestion and parking problems by introducing an informal one way system whereby parents drove up Warren hill or Upper Park, then along Nursery Road, and then drove down Albion Hill. A caretaker assisted in helping children out of cars as they parked in the roadway. Up to 7 cars could be backed up in this manoeuvre in the peak period of 8.30am to 8.45 am, and clearly movements of residents’ cars, and service/delivery vehicles was hampered in this period. Staggered school opening and closing times had also been introduced in order to reduce congestion, and for some years a second pedestrian access to the school had been created from the High Road facilitated by an Essex CC funded road crossing officer. This secondary access had facilitated parents and children accessing the school by foot, although it was apparent that some parents parked their cars at the top of Spring Grove or in Warren Hill and then accompany their children to school via this secondary side access. The school also provided a caretaker at this secondary side entrance to assist children entering the school grounds.

The school had not increased its school roll for more than 30 years and currently it was at full capacity, some siblings of existing pupils have to be denied a place because of the legal agreement requiring a maximum school role of 243 pupils.

Against this background the school submitted the planning application EPF/2774/15 in which it was proposed to construct a new off street drop off point in Warren Hill with a 34 space car park, together with a proposal to modify the legal agreement and expand the school roll from 243 to 273. The main thrust of the school’s argument was that a purpose built drop off point and car park in Warren Hill would considerably reduce congestion and drop off parking in Albion Hill (and also at the High Road end of Spring Grove), and allow teachers and staff cars to be parked in the new car park and not on nearby roads – and the benefit of these new facilities would considerably outweigh a relatively modest increase of 30 pupils on the school role.

As mentioned above the Councils refusal of EPF/2774/15 was taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(Director of Governance)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:  (i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule.  (ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

            RESOLVED:

            That the planning applications numbered 1 – 12 be determined as set out in the attached schedule to these minutes.