Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. M. Boswell and Mrs. J. D. Luck.

Members made the following declarations of their interests in matters due to be considered at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 10th September 2007 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that two further applications (B/2007/1092 and B/2007/1094) for planning permission on the site had been received.  As a result of new information received, additional comments were required to be sought from the Council's Agricultural Advisor.

RESOLVED that, in order for all three applications to be reported to the next meeting of the Committee, consideration of this application be deferred.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services clarified the recent planning history in respect of the whole of the site, indicating the location of the sites to be considered at this meeting, the extent of the authorised track and the areas of development which had previously been granted planning permission.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the condition and notes set out or referred to on page 15 of the report, together with the following additional two conditions:-

2.         Materials

3.         Drainage

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 48 and 49 of the report.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on page 53 of the report.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the condition and notes set out or referred to on pages 56 and 57 of the report, together with the following additional two conditions:-

2.         Drainage

3.         Materials

RESOLVED

(a)       that permission be granted in accordance with the notes set out on page 21 of the report; and

(b)       that the Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) be requested to undertake further investigations in respect of restricting the ability to turn right out of the site onto Middle Lane.

(NOTE: Under paragraph 16.7 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillors S. R. Peters and C. J. K. Wilson requested that it be recorded that they had voted against the resolution.)

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that a number of Worcestershire County Structure Plan policies had, on 27th September 2007, been deleted; namely, policies D.1, D.3, D.4, D.9, D.11, SD.6 and SD.7.  With reference to page 25 of the report, he stated that issues in respect of the density of developments - policy D.9 - would be maintained in Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3).

Furthermore, the Head of Planning and Environment Services referred to Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 10: Managing Housing Supply in the District of Bromsgrove (SPG10) which was also quoted on page 25 of the report.  He explained that, on the 27th September 2007, SPG10 was superseded by PPS3 and policies CF2, CF3 and CF6 of the West Midlands Spatial Strategy, under which the housing moratorium within the Bromsgrove District remains.  Finally, he added that the exception criteria to the housing moratorium also remain, including proposals for 100% affordable housing schemes to meet a proven local need.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 27 and 28 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reiterated his comments in respect the planning policy issues referred to in Minute No. 86/07 above.  He also reported that the applicant - Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) - had offered alternative sites for the provision of existing Community Facilities at Holly Lodge.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. A. Hogan addressed to Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposals.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 32 and 33 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that policy SD6 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan, referred to on page 36 of the report, had also been deleted on 27th September 2007.  He also reported the receipt of an additional letter of objection and, for clarification, explained that the proposal was a private facility for the bookings of private hire vehicles over the telephone.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. A. Phipps addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposals, whilst Mr. D. Lammas spoke in favour on behalf of the applicant.

RESOLVED that permission be granted for a temporary period of twelve months subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 37 and 38 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that the application for planning permission had been withdrawn.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that an additional letter had been received from the applicant.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions set out on pages 61 and 62 of the report.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. J. Hadlington addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the proposals on behalf of the applicant.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Head of Planning and Environment Services be authorised to refuse the application upon the expiry of the publicity period on 15th October 2007; and

(b)       that, upon the refusal of the application in (a) above, the Head of Planning and Environment Services, in consultation with the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services, be authorised to proceed with the most appropriate course of enforcement action to remedy the breach of planning control.

(NOTE: Under paragraph 16.7 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillor S. R. Peters requested that it be recorded that he had abstained from voting on this matter.)

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that policy CTC.4 of the Worcester County Structure Plan, together with policies C25 and C26 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan, referred to on page 66 of the report, had been deleted on 27th September 2007.

He also reported that the comments of the Drainage Engineer had been received and summarised issues in an accompanying statement which had been received from the applicants.  Furthermore, the reasons for the grant of planning permission under application ref. B/2006/0210 were reported.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 67 and 68 of the report, together with the following additional condition:-

4.         The disposal of storm water shall be by means submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reiterated the deletion of policies SD.6 and SD.7 of the Worcester County Structure Plan, referred to on page 69 of the report, having been deleted on 27th September 2007.

He also reported that the comments of both Local Plans (Policy) and Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) had been received, together with further information which had been submitted by the applicant.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Ms. H. Chambers addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the proposals.

Consideration was given to the application for which the Head of Planning and Environment Services had indicated he would be minded to recommend refusal.  However, on the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that provision of such a valuable facility would constitute very special circumstances to overcome Green Belt considerations.

RESOLVED that permission be granted for a temporary period of two years subject to the stationing of the mobile health facilities on three days per week, Monday to Friday, and not on Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holidays.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that the application for planning permission had been withdrawn.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services repeated the policy issues stated in Minute No. 93/07 above in respect of the Worcester County Structure Plan.

He also reported that the comments of Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) had been received, together with further information which had been submitted by the applicant.  He added that a press notice had been published.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Ms. H. Chambers addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the proposals.

Consideration was given to the application for which the Head of Planning and Environment Services had indicated he would be minded to recommend refusal.  However, on the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that provision of such a valuable facility would constitute very special circumstances to overcome Green Belt considerations.

RESOLVED that permission be granted for a temporary period of two years subject to the stationing of the mobile health facilities on three days per week, Monday to Saturday, and not on Sunday or Bank Holidays.

Members considered a report which detailed the decisions of planning appeals which had been determined since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.