In the chair: Miss. C. Cannell
Present: Cllrs. J. Beavis, R. Green, G. Massey and J. Skittrall.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk).
Apologies for absence
Cllrs. R. Falco and A. Law.
Declarations of interest
No interests were declared.
3. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous Planning Committee Meeting held on 15th August 2008, 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
Mrs. J. Beavis reported that the issue of the mobile home in Corder’s Yard, which was previously deferred, is going back before the Planning Committee of BDC. Mrs. Beavis and Mrs. G. Massey had met the applicant who had provided relevant documentation to enable them to consider the best way forward. At the forthcoming BDC Planning Committee Meeting Mrs. Beavis will attend as a District Councillor and Mrs. Massey as a member of the public and as a tenant of Corder’s Yard and not as representatives of SHPC. A further meeting with the applicant was arranged for 30th August.
5. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
6. Planning Applications
The following planning applications were considered:
08/01203/FUL – Oak House, Morris Green Road – Erection of a replacement dwelling – the contents of the additional information was noted but this did not affect the Parish Council’s support for the application.
08/01549/FUL – 15 Gibson Road – Demolition of existing rear extension and erection of a new single storey rear extension and first floor dormer to rear – no objection to rear extension and dormer but proposed two velux windows at the front overlooking the Recreation Ground was not appropriate as no other bungalows had windows in their front roofs. Such windows would detract from the overall uniformity of the street scene and/or roofline and create a bad precedent.
08/01556/TPOCON – Grove House, 32 Potter Street – Tree surgery work – no objection.
08/01559/FUL – Blooms Farm, Delvin End – Erection of two storey extension and balcony and ground floor extension – no objection.
08/01585/FUL – Cherry Tree Farm, Wethersfield Road – Removal of condition no. 2 from consent 04/02084/FUL – Erection of two bay, timber framed open cart shed – to permit B1 usage – no objection but concerned to ensure that commercial use does not escalate in the future.
(Mr. J. Skittrall left the meeting).
22 Spurgeon Close
The Clerk reported that Mr. B. Taplin, Planning Enforcement Officer, BDC had visited the property on 20th August but no persons were present at the time. He noted a vehicle on a trailer plus one other vehicle parked within the front curtilage plus two vehicles immediately on the roadway/footway outside. There were several car tyres plus some small car parts present on the front of the property. Mr. Taplin had advised that it was not possible from a single visit to gauge whether this is a business or “hobbyist” use. If the occupier undertakes intermittent car repairs for gain, this would not necessarily be a material change of use, the threshold at which planning permission may be required. He will make periodic visits to the site over the next couple of months to monitor the position and advise SHPC in due course.
Mr. G. Philp, Environmental Protection Officer, BDC had visited the property on 18th August when there was no evidence of cars being repaired or for sale. He will monitor this when in the area and follow up when sufficient evidence.
Mrs. T. Debbage-Philp Licensing Enforcement Officer, BDC reported that Officers had visited the location when there were no cars at the time and as such, no offences regarding street trading.
The issues of waste oil and petrol in the road and entering the highway drain should be reported to ECC Highways and the Environment Agency.
SHPC had continued to receive complaints from other residents of Spurgeon Close regarding the activities at 22 Spurgeon Close and it appeared that the occupier was now parking cars for sale in Alderford Street.
The BDC Community Warden had been asked to monitor cars for sale at Spurgeon Close and Alderford Street as well as at the entrance to Bewick Court.
Confidential matter
Mrs. G. Massey briefly reported upon a proposed development in Sible Hedingham. A meeting had taken place on 26th August, with a representative of the applicant and Mrs. Massey, Mrs. J. Beavis and Mr. A. Corder-Birch, representing SHPC. Full details will be given at the PC meeting on 8th September 2008 in private session, when the applicant’s representative will be in attendance to give details and answer questions.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 5.15 pm.
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(Date) (Chairman)