Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R. J. Laight and Mrs. C. M. McDonald.

The following declarations of interest were made:-

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 12th September 2011 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported the views of the Strategic Housing Manager, together with additional comments received from the Highways Agency.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Ms. A. Garth addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposed development.  Mr. F. Cook also spoke against the proposals, and Councillor J. S. Brogan spoke in his capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.  Mr. M. Robson spoke on behalf of the applicant in favour of the proposal.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services to determine the application upon the completion of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, in respect of financial contributions relating to:-

(i)         play space provision; and

(ii)        the securing of 32 affordable housing units;

(b)       that upon the completion of the agreement referred to in (a) above, permission be granted subject to any additional reasonable conditions and notes considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services.

(NOTE: Under paragraph 17.7 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter and J. A. Ruck requested that it be recorded that they abstained from voting on this resolution.)

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported the views of the Tree Officer. In addition, she reported the receipt of a Supplementary Planning Statement relating to Housing Densities and the Provision of Affordable Housing, together with the comments of the Strategic Planning Manager and the Urban Designer in response to this document.  In response to a request from Members of the Committee, the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services clarified the density  of dwellings on both the west side of Birmingham Road, and those on the east side of Willow Brook Road.

She also reported the receipt of two additional letters commenting on the proposals, as well as the receipt of a Unilateral Undertaking in respect of a commuted sum for affordable housing, public open space and education provision.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. N. Gough spoke on behalf of the applicants in favour of the proposals, as did Councillor R. Hollingworth in his capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.  Mr. J. Cypher also addressed the Committee, speaking on behalf of Alvechurch Parish Council.

RESOLVED that permission be refused for the reasons set out on page 76 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported a correction to the report concerning this application stating that the site was defined as 'residential' within the Bromsgrove District Local Plan 2004, not as Green Belt as printed on page 77 of the report.  She also reported the receipt of two emails raising concerns about the proposals.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. A. Massey addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposals, as did Councillor M. J. A. Webb in his capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.  Mr. S. Smith also addressed the Committee and spoke in support of his application.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes on pages 82 and 83 of the report, together with the addition of a further appropriately worded condition in respect of delivery time restrictions.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported the receipt of amended plans for both the existing and the proposed dwelling and explained how the amendments removed the requirement for refusal reason 3 on page 91 of the report.  She also reported the views of Worcestershire Highways, the Worcestershire Regulatory Services and the Tree Officer.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. G. Phillips addressed the Committee and spoke in objection to the proposed development, as did Councillor L. J. Turner in his capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.  Mr. S. R. Peters also addressed the Committee, speaking on behalf of Wythall Parish Council.

RESOLVED that permission be refused for reasons nod. 1, 3 and 4 set out on pages 91 and 92 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported the receipt of an email from the applicant and clarified the comments made therein.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. L. Harvey addressed the Committee spoke on behalf of Bournheath Parish Council, and Mr. R. Garvin spoke in favour of his application.  Councillor B. Lewis F.CMI also addressed the Committee in his capacity as the Ward Member for the area in which the application site was located.

RESOLVED that permission be refused for the reason set out on page 99 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported clarified that the 'Certificate Type' for the application was 'Certificate B', not 'A' as per the report.  She also reported the views of Worcestershire Highways.

RESOLVED that advertisement consent be granted in accordance with the notes set out on page 102 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported clarified that the 'Certificate Type' for the application was 'Certificate B', not 'A' as per the report.  She also reported the views of Worcestershire Highways, and that Belbroughton Parish Council had been consulted on the application but no response had yet been received. However, she stated that, as a result of this additional consultation, the recommendation would have to be amended in order that a decision could be made on the application upon the expiry of the publicity period.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. M. Rees spoke in objection to the proposals, as did Councillor B. Lewis F.CMI in his capacity as the Ward Member for the area in which the application site was located.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that, subject to the receipt of no further representations during the remainder of the consultation period, authority to approve advertisement consent be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services upon the expiry of the publicity period on 31st October 2011; or

(b)       that, in the event of further representations being received before the expiry of the publicity period, authority to determine the application be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Committee to assess whether new material considerations have been raised, and to issue a decision after the expiry of the statutory publicity period accordingly.

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the outcomes in several recent planning appeals.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.