Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D. Hancox.

The following declarations of interest were made:-

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 5th November 2007 were submitted.

RESOLVEDthat the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that the application had been withdrawn.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that the application had been withdrawn.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. A. Bytom addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the proposals.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported the receipt of a further objection, together with the receipt of additional supporting information from the applicant.

Consideration was given to this application which had been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning and Environment Services.

On the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that the proposal represented appropriate development in the Green Belt which would bring economic benefits to Alvechurch, the canal and the community in general.  Members felt that the proposals complied with paragraph 26 of PPG17 in that farm diversification which involves a recreational leisure activity would be beneficial for biodiversity and, ultimately, would not have a detrimental or adverse impact on the openness and the visual amenities of the Green Belt in the location.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the application be referred to the Government Office for the West Midlands under the "departure" procedure; and

(b)       that, in the event of the application not being "called-in" by the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, permission be granted subject to any appropriate conditions and notes which are considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Environment Services.

(NOTE: Under section 4, paragraph 16.7 of the Council's Constitution, Councillor S. R. Peters requested that it be recorded that he had abstained from voting on this matter.)

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 51 and 52 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that the application had been withdrawn.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 59 and 60 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that, following negotiations with the applicant, Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) had expressed concern over the proposals for HGV access arrangements and related turning facilities to serve the application site.

He stated that the applicant and Highways Partnership were seeking agreement on an alternative scheme and added that his recommendation, as contained in the report, would be amended in order that he may be granted delegated authority to determine the application upon receipt of a suitable access/turning scheme.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Head of Planning and Environment Services be authorised to approve the application upon the receipt of a satisfactory scheme for the provision of HGV access arrangements and turning facilities to serve the application site, subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on page 64 of the report, and any additional conditions recommended by Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove); or

(b)       that the Head of Planning and Environment Services be authorised to refuse the application in the event that a satisfactory scheme for the provision of HGV access arrangements and turning facilities to serve the application site has not been agreed with Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) by 26th December 2007.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor P. M. addressed the Committee to speak against the proposal, whilst Mr. R. Ollerenshaw-Greatbatch spoke, on behalf of the applicant, in favour of the application.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported the receipt of a further nine letters of objection.

RESOLVED that permission be granted for a temporary period of twelve months subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on page 67 of the report.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported the comments of the Tree Officer and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 74 to 78 of the report.

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

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out on page 86 of the report.

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

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. D. Walters addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the application.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported the comments of the Drainage Engineer, Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership (Bromsgrove) and Wythall Parish Council, and reported the receipt of additional supporting information from the applicant.

Consideration was given to this application which had been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning and Environment Services.  On the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the streetscene.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to any appropriate conditions and notes which are considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Environment Services.

Consideration was given to a report relating to a temporary Tree Preservation Order which had been made in respect of trees on land at 48 Lea Green Lane, Wythall.

The Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services clarified issues relating to the Tree Preservation Order and outlined the reasons for the making of the Order.

RESOLVED that the Bromsgrove District Council Tree Preservation Order (No. 8) 2007 be confirmed without modification because no evidence had been provided to determine whether or not the tree referred to as T1 in the Order was the root cause of damage to the property.

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

RESOLVEDthat the report be noted.

The Chairman agreed to the consideration of this item as a matter of urgency because a decision was required before the next meeting of the Committee.

(The Chairman agreed to the consideration of this item of business as a matter of urgency because a decision was required thereon before the next meeting of the Committee).

The Head of Planning and Environment Services referred to a decision made by the Committee on 5th February 2007 to refuse planning permission in respect of B/2006/1278.  He stated that the applicants had appealed against the decision and a Public Local Inquiry had been arranged to take place on 8th and 9th January 2008.

It was reported that the advice of Counsel had been sought in respect of the reasons for refusal.  Counsel have advised that refusal Reason No. 2, in respect of the issue of housing oversupply should not be pursued.

RESOLVED that the advice given by Counsel to remove Reason No. 2 as one of the grounds to refuse planning permission for B/2006/1278, considered by the Committee on 5th February 2007 (Minute No. 108/06 refers), be accepted and approved.