Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H. J. Jones and R. Lambert.

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.

Councillors S. J. Baxter and J. D. Stanley both declared an Other Disclosable Interest in relation to Agenda Item 4 (Planning Application 22/00577/FUL – 43A Barkers Lane, Wythall, Worcestershire, B47 6BY) in that they were Members of Wythall Parish Council, who had been consulted on the Application.  Having advised that, they had not attended any meetings or any discussions when the application was considered by the Parish Council; Councillors Baxter and Stanley participated and voted on the matter.   

The Vice-Chairman announced that there was a Committee Update which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting commencing, with a paper copy also made available to Members at the meeting.

Members indicated that they had had sufficient time to read the contents of the Committee Update and were happy to proceed.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the Committee Update, whereby the applicant’s agent had submitted a detailed rebuttal; and the applicant’s comments in relation to the benefits/planning balance of the scheme; as detailed on page 3 of the Committee Update. A copy of the Committee Update was provided to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Officers presented the report and in doing so highlighted that the application was for the demolition of the existing dwelling and the buildings associated with the caravan storage and kennels; and the erection of 27 dwellings with associated road, landscaping, infrastructure and external works.

Officers presented the presentation slides, as detailed on pages 28 to 46 of the main agenda pack.

The application site related to a 1ha parcel of land in the Hamlet of Inkford, situated on the northern side of Barkers Lane, behind residential properties. It incorporated an existing caravan storage facility of over 100 caravans, a former boarding kennel business to the west of the site. Members were asked to note that the submitted application proposed 28 dwellings, which was subsequently reduced by one dwelling during the application process. Therefore, the full planning application was for the development of 27 dwellings.

All 8 (30%) of the 2 bed units proposed would be affordable dwellings. Members were asked to note that there was an error on the ‘Affordable Dwellings’ slide, detailed on page 40 of the report. The correct plots were 4,5, (not 6 and 7),18,19,21,22,23 and 24.

The site was in the Green Belt as defined in the BDP and was not located in a defined settlement as outlined in Policy BDP2. There were several trees within the site, which following the application were now subject to Tree Preservation Order protection under Bromsgrove District Council TPO (19) 2023, as detailed on pages 10 and 22 to 23 of the main agenda pack.

Officers referred to the recent Planning History as in doing so drew Members’ attention to the reasons why Planning Application 19/00951/FUL was refused at Planning Committee in November 2019; as detailed on pages 13 to 15 of the report and the presentation slide on page 33 of the main agenda pack.

Officers highlighted that Worcestershire County Council (WCC), Highways were unable to support the application due to the site’s unsustainable location; and the application being contrary to the NPPF paragraphs 11,11 and 112 and the Streetscape Design Guide. The layout as shown on the submitted plan was unacceptable due to the issues which would be created to the highway user, as detailed on page 7 of the main agenda pack. Should Members be minded to approve the application, WCC Highways would seek the contributions, as detailed on pages 7 and 8 of the main agenda pack.

Officers further drew Members’ attention to the reasons for refusal, as detailed on page 25 and 26 of the report; and the Planning Obligations, as detailed on pages 23 and 24 of the main agenda ack, should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43/23

Members were asked to note that the planning application was being considered by Planning Committee rather than being determined under delegated powers as the applicant was related to a Council employee.

Officers presented the report and in doing so informed the Committee that the application sought the demolition of a garage and sun-lounge, the erection of a one and a half storey side extension with dormers to the front and back and a single storey rear extension. The description of development and proposals had been amended during the determination process following Officer discussion with the Agent.

The site was located in the residential area and therefore the principle of an extension was acceptable.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the Presentation Slides, as detailed on pages 52 to 59 of the main agenda pack. 

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted, subject to the Conditions as detailed on page 49 of the main agenda pack.

The Public and Confidential minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6^th November 2023, were received.

Councillor E. M. S. Gray requested that the following amendment be included in the Public minutes, Minute No. 36/23, as follows:-

“The Worcestershire County Council Highways officer stated that  the ‘stopping up’ of Perryfields Road, would be considered under the relevant process.”    

RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment, as detailed in the preamble above that the Public and Confidential minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6^th November 2023, be approved as correct records.