Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast;

2.         Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and

3.         the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should speak the webcasting officer.”

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. He also stated that he would be a non-voting chairman.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interests pursuant to the Council’s Code of member Conduct.

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.

Councillor Heap noted that Area Plans South had recently made a referral to the District Development Management Committee (DDMC) on an enforcement issue regarding 49 Manor Road, Chigwell. They wished DDMC to review the case and if in agreement with them authorise enforcement action to be taken against this application, as a planning sub-committee did not have the power to do this. In the end DDMC just noted the report which was not the point of the referral. He asked if this was a suitable case to be referred to the Audit and Governance Committee for their consideration on the handling of this case.

Councillor Patel agreed that they had referred it to DDMC for consideration of enforcement action. Councillor Neville agreed that they had sent this application to DDMC to consider enforcement action. He asked if this should  go to the relevant Select Committee for them to scrutinise?

Councillor Mohindra proposed that this be considered at the next Constitution Working Group meeting. That this Sub-committee ask them to look at the possibility of Planning Sub-Committees being given the power to recommend enforcement action. This was seconded by Councillor Chris Pond and agreed by the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the principal of a Planning Sub-Committee recommending enforcement action be considered at the next Constitution Working Group meeting.

A Planning Policy Briefing Note (March 2018) has been produced by the Planning Policy Team to ensure that a consistent approach is taken to the provision of planning policy advice for the District, particularly in relation to the Epping Forest District Local Plan Submission Version, which was published on 18 December 2017.

The primary purpose of the Planning Policy Briefing Note is to inform the development management process and to provide assistance for Development Management Officers, Councillors, applicants and planning agents. The Planning Policy Briefing Note is available at:

http://www.efdclocalplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Planning-Policy-Briefing-Note_Mar-2018.pdf

The Sub-Committee noted Local Plan – Planning Policy briefing note.

(a)        Site Visits

To identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held with regard to any planning application listed in this agenda for consideration under Section (b) (Planning Applications) below, prior to consideration of the application.

This opportunity for members to identify and agree requirements for formal site visits to be held prior to consideration of a planning application is being operated on a trial basis from the commencement of the 2018/19 municipal year, until 30 November 2018. The success of this arrangement will be reviewed by the Constitution Working Group at the end of the trial period.

(b)       Planning Applications

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.