Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Senior Democratic Services Officer 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 third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area then 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 then you should move to the upper public gallery.

Could I please also remind Members to activate their microphones before speaking.”

The Senior Democratic Services Officer reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing, which could infringe their human and data protection rights.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements adopted by the Council to enable persons to address the Committee, for the determination of applications for planning permission. The Committee noted the advice provided for the public and speakers in attendance at Council Planning Committee meetings.

(Director of Governance)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting in accordance with Council Rule S1 in the Constitution (Part 4 “The Rules” refers).

The Committee noted the following substitutions for this meeting:

(a)        Cllr D Stallan for Cllr A Boyce; and

(b)        Cllr C Roberts for Cllr R Jennings.

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

(a)      Pursuant to the Council’s Member Code of Conduct, Cllrs B Sandler, B Rolfe, H Brady, G Chambers, S Heap, S Jones, H Kauffman, J Knapman, S Kane, C C Pond, J M Whitehouse, D Stallan and C Roberts declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda, by virtue of the applicant being a District Councillor. 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/0671/17           Pine Lodge Riding Centre, Lippitts Hill, Waltham                             Abbey.

(b)      Pursuant to the Council’s Member Code of Conduct, Cllr C C Pond declared a personal interest in the following item of the agenda by virtue of being a member of the Victorian Society. The Councillor had determined that his interest was non-pecuniary and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·                 EPF/2550/16           Woodview, Lambourne Road, Chigwell.

(Director of Governance) To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 8 February 2017 (attached).

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2017 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report for the change of use to mixed B1, B2 and B8 uses including storage and mechanical repair of cars.

The Assistant Director of Governance (Development Management) presented a report for the change of use to mixed B1, B2 and B8 uses including storage and the mechanical repair of cars at units 20-21 of the Former Mushroom Farm at Laundry Lane in Nazeing. This application had been considered by Area Planning Sub-Committee West at its meeting on 22 February 2017, and was directly referred up to this Committee for decision.

The Assistant Director reported that the site was a former farmstead that had been divided into separate units. This application was concerned with units 20 and 21, which were located to the rear of Highbury House, and accessed via an existing track adjacent to Highbury House. The site and surrounding area were located within the Metropolitan Green Belt. One of the units was leased by a Mobile Mechanic who usually worked off site but occasionally brought cars back to the unit to work on, whilst the other unit was leased by an individual who stored and worked on his own vehicles for pleasure. This was a retrospective application, and associated parking for the two units was provided within the adjacent yard.

The Assistant Director stated that Planning Officers had concluded that the proposal would not constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt as it involved a change of use of permanent and substantial buildings. Due to the limited nature of activity on the site, the impact of the proposal on the surrounding rural environment was anticipated to be minimal with limited traffic movements and would not significantly impact on Laundry Lane. It was felt that the proposal would not result in any significant harm to the amenities of neighbouring residents, complied with the National Planning Policy Framework and the adopted Local Plan policies, and was therefore recommended for approval with conditions.

The Committee noted the summary of representations received in respect of this application, including an objection from the Parish Council and two nearby residential dwellings. There were no public speakers registered for this application, so the Committee proceeded to debate the application.

Initially, the Committee discussed an amendment to condition 2, which regulated the hours of operation at the units, and had tentatively agreed that the word ‘process’ should be amended to ‘work’ to read “…no work shall be carried out … “ as one of the uses would be private and therefore the use of the word ‘business’ would not be applicable.

However, Cllr Brady expressed some discontent with the application: there were problems with businesses at this site already, and two more would increase the existing noise levels for nearby residents; Laundry Lane itself was very narrow with no passing places and not suitable for servicing commercial premises; and retrospective applications should not be made as planning permission should be sought first before implementing any scheme.

Cllr Kane drew the attention of the Committee to the comments made by the Planning Inspector when the planning application to convert the wider premises was allowed on appeal in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report for the variation of Condition 2 “Plan Numbers” on EPF/2853/14 to amend the site boundary and redesign the parking layout and access track.

The Assistant Director of Governance (Development Management) presented a report for the variation of condition 2 “Plan Numbers” on EPF/2853/14 to amend the site boundary and redesign the parking layout and access track at Pine Lodge Riding Centre in Lippitts Hill, Waltham Abbey. This application was before the Committee as it had been submitted by or on behalf of a serving District Councillor.

The Assistant Director reported that the site was located on the south-western side of Lippitts Hill and comprised an area that was currently a riding centre with stabling and a covered riding arena. To the east of the site were the residential properties of Springfield Farmhouse, which was a Grade II listed building, and Pine Lodge in the Applicant’s ownership, whilst to the south-west and north were further equestrian facilities. The original application was for the demolition of all existing buildings on the site and the building of five detached houses with associated garaging. This application sought to make minor material amendments to the previously approved scheme as there was a dispute over the ownership of a small part of the original application site. Consequently, it was requested to remove the disputed strip of land along the boundary with Springfield Farmhouse, resulting in a previously approved block of four garages being reduced to two garages and a small amendment to the configuration of the access road within the site.

The Assistant Director stated that Planning Officers had concluded the proposed changes were minor and would not cause any material harm. The proposed development was in accordance with the adopted Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, and was therefore recommended for approval subject to the attached conditions.

The Committee noted that no representations had been received in respect of this application, and that no members of the public had registered to speak on this item.

Decision:

(1)        That planning application EPF/0671/17 at Pine Lodge Riding Centre in Lippitts Hill, Waltham Abbey be granted permission, subject to the following conditions:

1.         The  development  hereby  permitted  must  be  begun not later than 11 February 2018 (this being the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the original consent).

2.         The   development  hereby  permitted  will  be  completed  strictly  in accordance with the approved drawings nos: 1435/1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10A, 11, 12 and 3382/1A.

3.               No development shall have taken place until samples of the types and colours of the external finishes have been submitted to and approved          by the Local Planning Authority in writing prior to the commencement of the development. The development shall be implemented in accordance with such approved details. For the purposes of this condition, the        samples shall only be made available for inspection by the Local Planning Authority at the planning application site itself.

4.         No  development  shall  take  place,  including site clearance or other preparatory  work, until  full  details of both hard and soft landscape works (including tree planting) and implementation programme (linked         to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report for the demolition of the existing 22 bedroom residential dwelling, the associated 3 bedroom retirement dwelling and garages/outbuildings, and replacement with a new three storey 72 bedroom care home, and one three storey block containing 25 retirement living apartments, together with the provision of 51 car parking spaces and landscaping.

The Assistant Director of Governance (Development Management) presented a report for the demolition of the existing 22-bedroom residential dwelling, the associated three-bedroom retirement dwelling and garages/outbuildings, to be replaced with a new three-storey 72-bedroom care home, and one three-storey block containing 25 retirement living apartments, together with the provision of 51 car parking spaces and landscaping at Woodview in Lambourne Road, Chigwell. This application had been considered by Area Planning Sub-Committee South at its meeting held on 1 March 2017, and directly referred to this Committee for decision to allow for the submission and assessment of a Heritage Impact Assessment.

The Assistant Director stated that the current building was a large two and three storey Victorian mansion style residential house located within extensive grounds in Lambourne Road, and was opposite the residential cul-de-sac of Shillibeer Walk. The house was heavily screened from view from Manor Road by mature trees, and other mature trees – some of which were protected – were within the grounds and near the boundaries of the site. The building was not listed, nor did it lie within a conservation area.

The Assistant Director reported that following the meeting on 1 March 2017, a Heritage Statement had been submitted on behalf of the Applicant examining the history and significance of the existing building. This had been examined by the Council’s Senior Conservation Officer who, following a site visit, had concluded that Woodview was of local heritage interest and its loss would be regrettable; however, it was recognised that some of the authenticity and character of the building had been lost through later interventions. In addition, it made little contribution to the local street scene. At the very least, a full photographic and building recording survey should be carried out to preserve a record of the building should its loss be judged to be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal. It was also explained that an extra condition had been added by Officers since the agenda had been published, stipulating that the 25 Retirement Apartments were to be occupied by residents over the age of 60.

The Assistant Director informed the Committee that Planning Officers had concluded the benefit of this proposal was the provision of modern and purpose built accommodation for elderly people on a site which constituted previously developed land. The demand for this type of accommodation was high and its provision would also assist in freeing up existing family homes in the local area for occupation by younger and larger households. The application would also generate a significant commuted sum to assist in the provision of affordable housing in the locality. Consequently, Planning Officers were of the view that these benefits outweighed the heritage merits of retaining the building, which was not considered to be listable but a possible non-designated heritage asset, and it was therefore recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Committee noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

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 Committee noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration.

Exclusion

To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information. Any member who considers that this test should be applied to any currently exempted matter on this agenda should contact the proper officer at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Background Papers

Article 17 (Access to Information) of the Constitution defines background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)        disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)        have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report and does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

The Council will make available for public inspection one copy of each of the documents on the list of background papers for four years after the date of the meeting. Inspection of background papers can be arranged by contacting either the Responsible Officer or the Democratic Services Officer for the particular item.

The Committee noted that there was no business which necessitated the exclusion of the public and press from the meeting.