Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R. J. Deeming (Chair), J. S. Brogan, and Mrs. H. J. Jones.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Member                                 Application                Nature of Interest

Cllr. P. J. Whittaker              12/0326-DK               Personal and Prejudicial.  Supplies food produce to the Applicants.  Cllr. Whittaker left the room and took no part in its consideration and voting thereon.

Cllr. R. A. Clarke                                                      12/0411-HR  Personal.   

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the Applicants.

Cllr. R. J. Laight                    12/0411-HR              Personal. 

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the  Applicants.

Cllr. P. Lammas                   12/0411-HR              Personal. 

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the Applicants.

Cllr. J. A. Ruck                      12/0411-HR              Personal.  

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the Applicants.    

Cllr. C. J. Tidmarsh              12/0411-HR              Personal.  

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the Applicants.    

Cllr. P. J. Whittaker              12/0411-HR              Personal. 

                                                                                    Personally acquainted with the Applicants.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 28th May  2012 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record, subject to:

1)         the formal minute numbering for the meeting being corrected to commence at 1/12 for the new Municipal Year; and

2)         in respect of Minutes 7/12 and 8/12, (incorrectly recorded and published  as 148/12 and 149/12), relating to Planning Applications 11/0748-DMB and 11/0750-DMB (Land at former Longbridge East Works, Groveley Lane, Cofton Hackett), the withdrawal from the meeting of Councillors Mrs. C. McDonald, E.J. Murray and C.J.K. Wilson, following their motion to defer both applications for an investigation into the Council’s role in the Site Visit being lost, be formally recorded. 

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported on a consultation response received from North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM).  It was further noted that an amended red-line location plan had been received and agreed as it had made no change to the proposed development.

Members were also advised that Conditions 9 and 11 of the permission would cover concerns expressed in relation to ensuring that the specified height of a proposed bund was adhered to.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. A. Prince, addressed the Committee and spoke in objection to the Application.

RESOLVED that permission be granted, subject to:

1)         the Conditions, Informatives and Notes set out or referred to on pages 20 to 24 of the report; and

2)         Amendment to Condition 13 to control the importation of material:

Unless otherwise expressly approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, no fill materials in connection with the formation of the fishing pools shall be imported onto the site and no materials excavated in connection with the hereby development shall be removed from the application site.

3)         The following additional Informative:

            1.         Any mills, culverts, weirs or dams will either require the formal consent of the Lead Local Flood Authority (NWWM), in accordance with s23 of Land Drainage Act 1991 and Flood and Water Management Act 2010. No works shall commence on site until such applications have been submitted and approved in writing by the appropriate authorities.

This item was deferred by Officers in order to receive final comments from Worcestershire County Council in respect of the revised Transport Plan which had only been received on the day of the meeting.

Prior to consideration of this item, Councillor P.J. Whittaker (Vice-Chairman in the Chair) withdrew from the meeting owing to a declared personal and prejudicial interest.  Upon being nominated and it being taken to the vote, Councillor J.A. Ruck assumed the Chair for consideration of this item only.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration provided additional information relating to the previous application for the site and the Committee’s reasons for refusal at that time. Comments from Beoley Parish Council were also reported.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. P. Horridge, Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee.  Mr. B Sullivan representing Beoley Residents Association and Mrs. J. Luck, representing Beoley Parish Council, addressed the Committee as objectors to the Application.  Councillor R Hollingsworth also spoke in his capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.

RESOLVED that permission be refused for the reasons set out on page 50 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported on a survey provided by the Applicant in relation to houses with projecting garages in the vicinity of the application site.  Comments from the Conservation Officer and Worcestershire Highways were also reported.  Members further noted an additional letter of objection had been received.  

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr D Jones, Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

RESOLVED that permission be refused for the reason stated on page 55 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services reported on three further letters of objection that had been received.  Concerns relating to proposals for the inclusion of Velux lighting were also discussed.  

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. Y. Bennett, a nearby resident, addressed the Committee and spoke in objection to the application and Mr. B. Walford, addressed the Committee on behalf of the Applicant.  Councillor Mrs. C. Spencer also spoke in her capacity as one of the Ward Members for the area in which the application site was located.

RESOLVED that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services to grant permission, subject to

1)         The receipt of a satisfactory amended plan detailing the removal of the rooflights from the southern elevation and resiting to the northern elevation; and

2)         the Conditions and Notes set out or referred to on pages 62 and 63 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration reported that the Applicants were, in fact, Mr and Mrs Javid, and not Mrs. Javid, as indicated in the report. 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. R. Dudley, representing the Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

RESOLVED that permission be granted, subject to the Conditions and Notes set out or referred to on page 69 of the report.