In the chair: Miss. C. Cannell
Present: Cllrs. R. Falco, R. Green, A. Law, G. Massey and J. Skittrall.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk).
Apologies for absence
Cllr. J. Beavis
Declarations of interest
Dr. R. A. Green and Mrs. G. Massey both declared personal interests in connection with the application relating to tree surgery work at 29-31 Queen Street, as they know the applicant. No other interests were declared.
3. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous Planning Committee Meeting held on 17th October 2008, having been previously circulated, were taken as read, were confirmed and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
Matters arising from those minutes
Dr. R. A. Green reported that on 3rd November BDC had refused planning permission at Officer level for change of use from residential to wedding venue at Hulls Mill, Hulls Mill Lane.
5. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
6. Planning Applications
The following planning applications were considered:
08/01816/FUL – 25 Hawkwood Road – Amendments to existing plans to accommodate inward opening French doors with s/lights and flat roof, doors to be closed off with railing to avoid access to flat rook –no objections
08/01818/FUL – The Workshop, Cobbs Fenn – Conversion of existing joinery workshop to single dwelling with associated workshop - Amendment to approved application: 06/02075/FUL – no objections but do not want to see any further expansion of this building.
08/01924/REM – Oaklands, High Street Green – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling - no objections subject to the condition that all the trees on this site remain.
08/01998/TPOCON – Comfrey Cottage, 29-31 Queen Street – Reduce one oak tree – no objections
To consider Planning Appeal
The Clerk reported that notification had been received from BDC that an appeal had been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate by T. Rippon & Sons (Holdings) Limited against the refusal by BDC for the demolition of attached shop unit and construction of 3 no. two storey terraced houses at 135 Swan Street. The appeal will be determined at an Informal Hearing on 3rd December 2008 at Town Hall Centre, Braintree. It was resolved not to attend the hearing as the PC had already written to the Planning Inspectorate.
89 Hawkwood Road
The Clerk reported that he had received an anonymous telephone call from a man living in the vicinity of Hawkwood Road complaining about a ‘contraption’ similar to a carport in the front garden of 89 Hawkwood Road. He claimed that the contraption was out of character with the remainder of the road. The Clerk had advised him to consult Mr. Taplin, Planning Enforcement Officer at BDC. It was resolved that Councillors would also look at 89 Hawkwood Road and consider if SHPC should also consult Mr. Taplin.
Proposed tree preservation orders
The Clerk reported that he had recently met Mr. Melvyn Crow, Landscape Manager of BDC and two areas had been looked at, pursuant to requests from residents, as follows:
i) The area around the rear of the Chemists Shop, Swan Street. A eucalyptus tree in the rear garden of 136 Swan Street will probably be made the subject of a TPO and Mr. Crow will discuss with Mr. Taplin the close proximity of this tree with the unauthorised development, which had commenced on land at the rear of the chemists shop. A sycamore tree in the garden of 126 Swan Street will need to have the ivy removed from it before it can be properly assessed but may thereafter be a candidate for a TPO. The black poplar tree, alder and other trees in this area are not worthy of TPOs.
ii) Trees around Brook House. Apart from one chestnut tree on front left of Brook House there are no other trees around it, which are worthy of preservation. However if and when a planning application is made in connection with the Premdor site then Mr. Crow will be happy to work with the Applicant and Planning Officers to design acceptable landscaping between the rear of Brook House and the Premdor site. Mr. Crow had spoken to the residents concerned.
10. Premdor
Mrs. G. Massey reported that Rev. Paul Corson of Hedingham Baptist Church had met Mr. Ray Ricks, one of the professional advisers of Premdor, regarding a possible community building on the Premdor site, which is still being discussed.
11 Car sales signs in Swan Street and Sumnmerfields
Mrs. G. Massey and Miss. C. Cannell both reported that large ‘GOLDSMITH
CAR SALES’ signs had appeared in front of 114 Swan Street and also at the
rear of 114 Swan Street facing Summerfields. It was agreed to ask Mr. B.
Taplin, Planning Enforcement Officer of BDC for advice.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 5.10pm.
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(Date) (Chairman)