MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING OF SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH HALL, SWAN STREET, SIBLE HEDINGHAM ON FRIDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY 2011 AT 4 PM
In the chair: Cllr. R. Falco
Present: Cllrs. J. Beavis, C. Cannell, R. Green, H. Johnson, A. Law, G. Massey and R. Volkwyn.
Cllr. I. Carruthers (in attendance as an observer)
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk)
Together with 11 (eleven) members of the public
Public comment
Prior to commencement of the meeting, Mrs. G. Massey produced copies of the SH VDS for members of the public and confirmed that the agendas for all meetings now appear on the SHPC website. Representations were made by members of the public about the planning applications relating to the former Swan PH. The applicant and his agent were also in attendance and available to any answer questions.
Apologies for absence
2. Declarations of interest
The Clerk advised that at a meeting of BDC Dispensation Sub-Committee held 22nd February dispensation was granted to eleven Parish Councillors (excluding Cllrs. Jones and Swallow) to consider application numbers 11/00043/FUL, 11/00044/LBC, 11/00045/FUL and 11/00047/LBC in the usual way, including the offer of land to SHPC for allotment gardens. The duration of the dispensation is for as long as the planning applications are in progress until final determination, including any appeals, providing that the offer of the gift of allotment gardens remains. If the offer of allotments is withdrawn the grant of dispensation becomes null and void and the dispensation falls.
No other interests were declared.
3. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous Planning Committee Meeting held on 4th February 2011, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
4. Matters arising from those minutes
In connection with minute 7(e) the Clerk reported upon communications with Mrs. C. Root and other members of the IT Team at BDC following which it was discovered that numerous emails from SHPC to BDC had been incorrectly diverted upon arrival at BDC and had been lost. BDC had since included SHPC on a “white listing” so that all emails from SHPC are delivered to the correct recipient at BDC and not incorrectly diverted. It had been necessary for the Clerk to send many emails to BDC a second time and the issue had been satisfactorily resolved. The Clerk thanked Mrs. J. Beavis for her input at BDC to help resolve this issue.
There were no other matters arising.
5. Planning Applications
The following planning applications were considered:
10/01472/FUL – Land adjacent to 21 Gibson Road – Erection of a single chalet bungalow in garden (additional papers received) – it was considered that the additional papers did not take the application any further. It still constituted back land development, over development and is contrary to the VDS. It was resolved that the original decision and objections still stand and that this application should continue to be opposed on the same grounds as before.
11/00144/FUL – Airfield Strip, Gosfield Airfield, Gosfield and Sible Hedingham – renewal of planning approval 07/01503/COU with an increased area for the storage of portable building sections and empty containers – following site visits by Councillors it was observed that the site had not been tidied up and the area in use had increased. It was resolved to make similar representations upon the current application as made upon the previous application namely some evidence of self monitoring and site management as the current appearance of the site leaves a lot to be desired.
11/00043/FUL and 11/00044/LBC – Land rear of The Swan Inn, Swan Street – Conversion of redundant public house into two 4 – bedroom houses; conversion and extension of two stable-buildings into two-bedroom dwellings and associated car-parking and site landscaping – resolved no objections and to support application and conversions, which Listed Buildings Officer should ensure are carried out sympathetically. Councillors supported the proposed conversion of the stables as they are within the cartilage of a listed building and also within the village envelope.
11/00045/FUL and 11/00047/LBC – Land rear of The Swan Inn, Swan Street – Erection of two 5-bedroom dwelling houses – it was resolved to oppose this application as the site is outside the village envelope and in a conservation area. Concern was expressed that if permission is allowed it may create a precedent. The SH VDS made it clear that no development should take place outside the village envelope.
Miss. C. Cannell expressed concern about allegations against Councillors contained in some letters of representation from a few members of the public. The Clerk pointed out that offending sections had been blanked out by BDC before the letters had been placed on the BDC website.
Date of next meeting
There being no further business the meeting closed at 4.45pm
……………………………….. ………………………………
(Date) (Chairman)