Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs. J. D. Luck.

No declarations of interest were received at this stage of the meeting.

The minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 7th December 2009 and 16th December 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported that additional information had been submitted by the applicant, together with the receipt of an amended plan which required the description of the development be altered to include "(as amended by plans received 22.01.2010)."

He also reported the comments of the Tree Officer and Worcestershire Highways.

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

RESOLVED that permission be refused for the reasons (a) to (e) set out on page 19 of the report, together with the following additional reason:-

(f)         The proposed development would result in the loss of trees which are of amenity value to the site contrary to policy CTC.5 of the Worcestershire County Structure Plan 2001, and policies C17 and C19 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan 2001.

The Head of Planning and Environment Services reported the receipt of an additional letter of objection.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. D. Hawkley addressed the Committee and spoke in opposition to the proposals and, on behalf of Barnt Green Parish Council, Mrs. S. Whitehand also spoke against the proposed development.  Mr. R. Bellamy, representing the applicant, addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the proposals.

RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to the conditions and notes set out or referred to on pages 26 to 28 of the report.

The Chairman referred to this item and reported that the application had been withdrawn.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the decisions of a number of planning appeals which had been received since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

"RESOLVED: that under Section 100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraph of that part, in each case, being as set out below, and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

RESOLVED that under Section 100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraphs of that part, in each case, being as set out below, and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held in private session on 7th December 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update in respect of on-going enforcement proceedings at the site referred to in the report, together with the consideration of a request for an extension of time for compliance with the Enforcement Notice previously served.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the update report be noted; and

(ii)        that the Head of Planning and Environment Services, in consultation with the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services, be authorised to extend the time for compliance with the Enforcement Notice to nine months of the date on which the Notice became effective.

Consideration was given to a report which detailed a breach of planning control with a view to obtaining authority to take enforcement action to remedy the planning issues arising.

RESOLVED that further consideration of this matter be deferred in order to allow Members to undertake an inspection of the site referred to in the report and assess the impact of the breach of planning control on the wider locality.

The Chairman referred to the Quarterly Enforcement Update which had been circulated to Members of the Committee prior to the commencement of the meeting.  This was noted.