Notes & Decisions of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Held on Monday 16th November 2015 at the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm
| Planning Committee Members: | Bob Tyrell (Chair), Brian Butcher ( Vice Chair), Murray Harlow, Chris Stevenson (Chair of Parish Council) & Laura Walkingshaw (Parish Clerk) | Next meeting: Wed 16th Dec 2015 in the J L Hall |
| Apologies: | Andrew Savage | |
| Members of the public present: | Phil Cook, Philip Spencer & Mark Pollitt | |
| Declarations of Interest: | None |
It is the aim of the Parish Council to seek a high standard of design for all new developments and extensions in the Village .
Item 1: To receive any pre-application representations regarding proposed planning applications
Item 2: Current planning applications
| Location | Proposal | Application No. and link to CBC planning website | Object / Support / Observations | Decision or Recommendation | Comments by Planning Committee |
| Scarletts, Scarletts Close, CO6 3DH | Notification of agricultural development – Proposed building to house farm machinery | 152350 | Observation | Decision | The Parish Council would look to the Borough Council to discharge in line with their policies. |
| Rosaville, White Hart Lane, CO6 3DB | Single storey side extension. | 152329 | Support | Decision | The Parish Council has no comment. |
| Horsepits Farm, Cooks Hall Road, CO6 3EX | Change of Use of Granny Annexe to Private Dwellinghouse | 152337 | Observation | Decision | The Parish Council will be guided by the Borough Council’s policies regarding this matter. |
| Crockeys, Chapel Lane, CO6 3EF | Proposed front porch. | 152396 | Support | Decision | The Parish Council has no comment. |
| 40 Pirie Road, CO6 3TA | First floor side extension over existing kitchen/study/playroom | 152502 | Support | Decision | The Parish Council has no comment. |
Note: where the reference to the Village Design Statement (VDS) has been made in the above comments. The VDS has been adopted by the Parish Council and Colchester Borough Council.
Item 3: Other matters –
a. Review Planning Decisions –
Planning Decisions were reviewed.
b. Feedback from the meeting with Colchester Borough Planner on Nov 6th.
Notes from meeting with Andrew Tyrrell attached (Appendix 1)
APPENDIX 1 – Notes from Meeting with Andrew Tyrrell
Friday 6th Nov 2015
Village Design Statement – how CBC Planners take this into account?
CBC Planning intend to use a template that officers can utilise which should flag up if a VDS is in place in a particular locality. AT did note that some parts of West Bergholt’s VDS are aspirational. AT to report back to WB Planning Committee with regards which of the design statements CBC Planning find it difficult to adhere to.
AT advised that a way forward for some parts of the VDS was to use the idea of “character areas” in the VDS. Could refer to the Lanes – this would be as close as possible to an actual conservation area. WBPC to consider further perhaps as part of NP.
Figures of where Parish objected and Borough supported. (AT finding)
Not a vast amount of difference between the Borough and the Parish. Only 3 in 2013 and 1 in 2014, which West Bergholt objected to, but the Borough supported.
Not notified by CBC, e.g. 24 Bradbrook Cottages (list supplied)
Reason unknown. The database used should prevent this from happening. It is not CBC policy to put up a planning application notice on a nearby lamppost, however a Planning Officer does visit each site.
Need for a street scene – AS to check Chelmsford Council, Donard Drive, good example of this – CS to photograph
AT wouldn’t agree that he could ask for a street scene for all applications, but is thinking of bringing it in for new dwellings.
It was highlighted that a case officer can request a street-scene to be included as part of a planning application, therefore WB Planning could ask for the information, if it is 2-3 weeks prior to the Consultation Date.
Can planners request whether an application can be seen by a public footpath or highway?
AT confirmed that the visual aspects were part and parcel of determining a PA. It was noted that this was part of the application questions in any event.
Poor Quality Drawings, examples of good and bad practice, Homecroft & 45-47 Lexden Road
The quality of drawings is subject to national criteria. Graph paper submissions are therefore acceptable.
Would like to be appraised of the no. of new houses in West Bergholt since the last Local Plan was adopted.
Since the last Local Plan was adopted, 15 additional houses have been built. 35 are permitted in the plan.
How we can work more collaboratively with each other.
The intent is to be meeting once every 6 months.
Overall a very positive meeting.