Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor H. J. Jones be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

RESOLVED that Councillor M. Marshall be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B. McEldowney, S. M. Evans, D. J. A. Forsythe and D. G. Stewart; with Councillors C. Hotham, R. J. Hunter, D. J. Nock and J. Elledge in attendance as substitutes respectivly.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

Councillor M. Marshall declared that he would be addressing the Committee as Ward Councillor in relation to Agenda Item No.7 – 23/01400/FUL - Land Rear Of 17-19 Willow Gardens and Agenda Item No.8 - 23/01401/FUL - Land Rear Of 8 - 14 (Evens) Willow Gardens. Councillor C. Marshall retired from to the public gallery during the Officers presentations and left the meeting room prior to the consideration of this item after making his representations during the public speaking.

The minutes of the Planning Committees meeting held on 8^th April and 29^th April 2024 were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 8^th April 2024 and 29^th April 2024, be approved as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that there were no update reports for any of the applications and proceeded to the first item.

At this stage in the meeting Councillor M. Marchall withdrew to the Public Gallery, having declared an interest and his intention to speak as Ward Councillor for this application.

Officers detailed that agenda items 7 (minute No 7/24) and agenda item 8 (minute No 8/24) were deferred from a previous meeting of the Planning Committee held on 8^th April 2024 to allow Worcestershire County Council (WCC) Highways to be in attendance.

The Application had been brought to the Planning Committee for consideration at the request of Councillor M. Marshall, Ward Councillor.

Officers further detailed that due to the similarity between agenda items 7 and 8 it had been requested that the presentations and debate take place at the same time, however, it was further clarified that as they were separate applications votes would be taken separately.

Officers presented the report and in doing so highlighted that the applications were both for the demolition of existing garages and the erection of new build dwellings in their place including associated access and landscaping. Officers presented the presentation slides, as detailed on pages 41 to 51 of the main agenda pack.

The sites were located in residential and sustainable locations and the principle of development was deemed acceptable.

The sites had existing vehicular access with good visibility in both directions. Willow Gardens had footways and street lighting on both sides of the road and no parking restrictions were in force in the vicinity. The sites were located within walking distance of amenities, bus route and bus stops.

It was noted there would be a loss of garages, however it was clarified to Members that there was no right to park for residents and the garages could be closed at any time by an operational decision taken by the landowner.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the proposed design and floor plans for the developments, highlighting that all of the garages would be demolished with the exception of a single garage retained under private ownership as part of application 23/01401/FUL.

The Chairman made the decision that due to the similarity between the two applications that the public speaking would be heard concurrently.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr D. Shipley and Mr W. Bowen, Local Residents, Mr. K. Lawrence, the Applicant’s Representative and Councillor M. Marshall, Ward Councillor addressed the Committee with regards to the two applications.

The Committee then debated both applications, with Officers highlighting that decisions and votes would be taken for each application separately.

At the invitation of the Chairman and following direct questions from Members, WCC, Highways Officer addressed the Committee. It was stated that several physical site visits were undertaken at different times of the day to ascertain the availability of parking and occupancy of the garage units. During the most recent visit undertaken on 20.05.24, it was found that 12 of the 30 garages were occupied, and there were 28 free on-street parking spaces in the local vicinity.

The WCC, Highways Officer further stated the following:

• The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/24

Subject to the preamble above and with the same concerns being expressed with regards to the safety of the access.

Councillor A. Bailes proposed an Alternative Recommendation to refuse the application as the proposed access would be unsafe. The Alternative Recommendation was seconded by Councillor J. Elledge.

On being put to a vote it was.

RESOLVED that having had regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be refused subject to the reasons as detailed in the preamble above.

The Application had been brought to the Planning Committee as the applicant was a council employee.

Officers presented the report and in doing so, drew Members’attention to the presentation slides on pages 57 to 62 of the main agenda pack.

The application was for 60 East Road, Bromsgrove and sought planning permission for a detached garage and associated works including a dropped kerb.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the location and proposed site plans including the changes to the wall and kerb.

Members expressed the opinion that the application would normally be considered under delegated powers and saw no reason to refuse the application.

On being put to a vote it was:

RESOLVED that having had regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as outlined on page 55 of the main agenda pack.

There were no urgent matter of business.