In the chair: Miss. C. Cannell
Present: Cllrs. J. Beavis, R. Falco, A. Law, G. Massey and J. Skittrall.
Mr. A. Corder-Birch (Clerk).
Together with 2 (two) members of the public.
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. R. Green.
Declarations of interest
No interests were declared.
3. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous Planning Committee Meeting held on 27th March 2009, 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
There were no matters arising.
Public Comment
Miss. M. Bell spoke in support of her application for new stables at Crows Cross, where there is already a ménage, toilets, lighting and other facilities. It is not overlooked by other properties and there have been no objections from neighbours. There are two accesses; one in Halstead Road and the other in Braintree Road opposite The Windmill. The latter already has a dropped kerb and 200 yards visibility in both directions. ECC Highways had been consulted and there will only be minimal traffic movements. It is intended to mainly use Braintree Road for large vehicles and Halstead Road for cars. The applicant would advise all drivers to turn left only (and not right) when exiting onto Halstead Road.
6. Planning Applications
The following planning applications were considered:
09/00063/TPOCON – 79 Swan Street – Re-pollard one lime tree - no objection
09/00354/FUL – Crows Cross – Erection of new stables and hay store building to form commercial livery – four councillors had visited the site and it was resolved to support the application, which is a rural pursuit in a rural area, subject to ECC Highways placing suitable signage along both roads, including slow signs and warning signs for horses using roads and horse boxes turning. It was also agreed to recommend large vehicles using Braintree Road and small vehicles using Halstead Road.
09/00365/FUL – Tortoise House, Wethersfield Road – Erection of new dwelling on land rear of Tortoise House – it was resolved that Councillors will visit the site on Tuesday, 21st April 2009 at 5pm and thereafter representations will be delegated to Miss. C. Cannell, Mrs. J. Beavis, Mrs. G. Massey and Mr. J. Skittrall for decision.
Premdor
Mrs. J. Beavis and Mrs. G. Massey briefly reported upon a meeting with Mr. P. Smith of Premdor on 8th April 2009, which Mr. A. Corder-Birch had also attended. This meeting principally related to redundancy issues rather than to planning matters.
Mrs. J. Beavis reported upon a later communication from BDC stating that Planning Officers had met representatives of Premdor on 16th April when two draft master plans identifying options for proposed land uses were produced. Copies will be sent to SHPC for consideration and to ascertain if they meet the needs of the village. A meeting was arranged between representatives of SHPC and BDC for Friday, 8th May 2009 at 2pm to discuss these plans. It was also agreed to ask BDC for an update on all other sites (Tanners, Coopers and Cinema sites) at the meeting on 8th May.
Former Tanner’s Dairy site
Mrs. J. Beavis, in her capacity as a District Councillor, reported upon a letter received by BDC from a resident of SH regarding the current state of the former Dairy site. This had led to BDC Planning Policy Officers recommending a site meeting with representatives of ECC Highways. This had taken place on 17th April, when the Chairman and Clerk of SHPC had been invited to attend, to discuss access routes to the former Dairy site in advance of any planning application. Whilst the ECC representatives considered that access is suitable for housing, the meeting was principally concerned with access rather than the proposed use of the site. A highway boundary check will be carried out to establish ownership of publicly maintainable highway and verge between the site and the church. Subject to the results of that search there is sufficient width for a footpath to be constructed between the site and the church, with dropped kerbs at two property entrances. Disabled access along fp 93 through the churchyard should be considered. Whatever development takes place, (light industrial, housing or other), the developer should be asked to enter into a S106 agreement to construct a car park with suitable landscaping on site, a footpath to the church and disabled access through the churchyard, as part of the development.
Subject to the results of further enquiries additional access may also be possible from the north east of the site through Friars Close, Abbey Meadow and the Oxford Meadow estate to the village. The close proximity of the site to both Schools makes it attractive for housing development, including affordable and social housing. However councillors expressed concern regarding the loss of employment in SH and that some provision should be made for light industrial use. It was agreed that the former Dairy site and the Premdor site are relevant to each other particularly regarding proposed light industrial and other uses and that further enquiries should be made regarding access and proposed uses of both sites.
Date of next Planning Committee meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting was fixed for Friday, 8th May 2009 at 4.30pm in Parish Council Office, 75 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 5.45pm.
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(Date) (Chairman)