Notes & Decisions of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Held on Wed 19th July 2017 at the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm
| Planning Committee Members: | Bob Tyrrell (Chair), Brian Butcher (Vice Chair), Murray Harlow, Andrew Savage, Laura Walkingshaw (Clerk), | Next meeting:
Wed 16th Aug 2017, J L Hall at 7.30pm |
| Apologies: | Chris Stevenson | |
| Members of the public present: | 5 | |
| 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
87 Albany Road
The owner had previously made pre-application representations to the West Bergholt Planning Committee and had taken on board some of their suggestions, ie. not moving upwards into the existing house. The new plans include two bungalows in the garden area, one 1-bedroom and the other a 2-bedroom. Cllr Tyrrell queried the amount of space available for this as the existing house would need to maintain a 50-75 sqm garden area and 2 parking spaces. The collective view was that Colchester Borough Council would consider this overdevelopment of the site. The Parish Council would probably support one bungalow, but it would have to be proved there was enough space for them to approve two.
The suggestion of an annex arose, however although it may not be such a problem with space, it would not be allowed to be sold as a separate property at a later date. Also, the borough council prefer an annex to be attached to the original house. The Committee suggested that the house owner look at both the CBC Development Guidelines and also the Housing Standards to get a better idea of the space that will be required.
49 Mumford Road
A Colchester Planning Officer has recently been out to look at this property, which is currently awaiting approval from CBC for a single storey front extension with Planning Application 171635. The property has a unique prospect in that road being a corner property, however the Planning Officer thought that the new building line should be in line with the other properties to the east side of Mumford Road. From Google Earth it was clear that the double garage and the fence line would make a more relevant building line. The Parish Council recommends not giving up at the moment and for the house owner to instruct his architect to go back to Colchester Planning with a photo montage of the house and its surroundings. An alternative however, could be a 3-4m extension to the front of the house.
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 |
| Laborne, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt, CO6 3EF | Application for removal or variation of condition 6 of planning permission 161181, ie. removal of a row of conifers which will be replaced by a laurel hedge. | 171627 | Observation | Decision | The Parish Council suggests that the developer speaks to the neighbours about his plans for the site and comes up with a conclusion which everyone is content with. |
| Roundwood, 48 Lexden Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3BX | Demolition of existing dwelling and associated outbuildings, to allow for the erection of 2 no. new dwellings and garages together with 1 no. new vehicular access, 1 no. improved vehicular access and the ‘stopping up’ of 1 no. vehicular access … | 170994 | Support | Decision | The Parish Council is happy that their previous concerns have been taken into account by the developer and would like to note that the revised drawings are a vast improvement on what was previously presented. |
| 1 The Waldens, Lexden Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3BE | Proposed first floor rear extension, small side extension at ground floor to form boot room, internal alterations. | 171870 | Objection | Recommendation | The Parish Council does not support this application and agrees with the objection from the neighbours. The proposed extension is out of character and keeping with adjacent properties. The Parish Council refers to policies DG3, DG7 & DG 9 of the CBC adopted Village Design Statement. |
Item 3: Other matters:
a) Update on latest enforcement complaints from CBC
The Planning Committee has been informed by Colchester Borough Council with regards two enforcement complaints currently in the village, in Cooks Hall Road and Chapel Lane.