Notes & Decisions of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Held on Wed 16th December 2020 at 7.30pm via Zoom
| Planning Committee Members: | Bob Tyrrell, Brian Butcher, Murray Harlow, Norma Smith, Andrew Savage, Ex officio member Chris Stevenson and Laura Walkingshaw (Parish Clerk) | Next meeting:
Wed 20th Jan 2021 at 7.30pm via Zoom (review of VDS after meeting) |
| Apologies: | None | |
| Members of the public present: | Two | |
| 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.
The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement and the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, emerging planning policy and CBC Planning policies when making comments and decisions on Planning Applications
Item 1: To receive any pre-application representations regarding proposed planning applications
The owner of 83 Chapel Road talked the Committee through the revisions to application 202080 which he has made since the last time this application was discussed. Each of the Committee’s concerns has been addressed and it was happy with the revised application.
ACTION – Clerk to email relevant Planning Officer to inform him of the Committee’s latest comment and to check why the revised drawings have not appeared on the CBC portal yet.
Item 2: To discuss and make decisions on the following applications:
| Location | Proposal | Application No. and link to CBC planning website | Object / Support / Observations | Decision or Recommendation | Comments made by Planning Committee |
| 83 Chapel Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3HL |
Application for retrospective permission for the erection of a gabion wall structure on the boundary of property and the neighbouring residential site. In addition, permission to erect a boundary treatment fence from the gabion structure across the length | 202741 | Support | Recommendation | The Parish Council has no comment. |
| 30 New Church Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3JE |
Demolition of existing detached house and erection 2 No. detached dwellings. | 202544 | Object | Decision |
See Comment below:
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| New Church Road is very much a semi-rural lane in the heart of our village, primarily because of the proximity to The Heath, The Church and Allotments. Thus, it deserves a less urban style of architecture than is proposed and consistent with the mix of local housing and styles. The Parish Council understands the need to redevelop the site and does not object to this but considers it only suitable for a single dwelling, respecting the existing heights and depths of adjacent buildings. Regrettably we believe this application is overdevelopment and the proposal will result in a large cramped urban mass which will be in conflict to the existing urban grain of New Church Road and will be harmful to the local character.
The Parish Council laments the pre-emptive clearance of 90% of the mature trees and other shrubs prior to the submission of the planning application. The community has looked on aghast at the complete destruction of local biodiversity habitats which are completely unprotected, and which suggest that no public authority could quite frankly care less! The removal of 16 no. mature trees as stated by the arboriculturist just to “allow redevelopment” is unacceptable to the Parish Council, also the land shown outlined in blue on the site plan is clearly potentially reserved for further development in Mumford Close, having also been cleared of trees and wildlife, but is currently landlocked. The application is contrary to the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan (in particular policy PP10) and the West Bergholt Village Design Statement, both these documents having been adopted as supplementary planning guidance by Colchester Borough Council and are all available on the Parish Council’s website. The submitted street scene also clearly shows the over development, the Council also question the height of the bungalow at 28 New Church Road, it appears to be lower than as shown. The application is also contrary to the Borough Council’s Supplementary Planning Document Back Land and Infill (Adopted Sept 2009 and revised Dec 2010) which aims to ensure that any back-land development respects and reflects the character of the area and confirms that such tandem development can frequently cause problems with planning applications for such. The applicant did not seek any pre application advice from CBC or discuss the application with WB Parish Council. The Parish Council consider that there is scope for a single dwelling, shallow in depth so not to infringe the light to the property at 32 New Church Road. |
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| Twain, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt, CO6 3EF |
Incorporation of integral garage into living accommodation; small depth extension (830 mm) from current furthest forward point across a proportion of the front façade, including a porch; rear extension and covered terrace to the rear; replacement windows. | 202600 | Object | Decision | The Parish Council has no objection in principle to an extension on this property, however the current application is simply not appropriate in such a prominent position within the “Character Area” of the village which the dwelling is situated in.
The Council would therefore refer to PP5 of the CBC-adopted West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Character Area: The “Character Area” designated on Map PP5, which reflects the built local distinctiveness of Essex’s heritage, will be protected from degradation. Development proposals will be expected to respect its features and character in relation to the scale, design and setting of any development. |
| 55 Pirie Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3TA |
Two storey side extension. | 202650 | Object | Decision | The Parish Council objects to this application due to the close proximity of the extension to 53 Pirie Road, almost creating a terraced look to the properties. The two-storey extension should be 1 metre from the neighbour’s property rather than 800cm. The Council would also question the 45-degree angle impact on number 53; however, this is hard to judge due to the lack of a street scene. The Council would therefore refer to PP10 of the CBC-adopted West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, specifically the statement that:
“Planning applications must show contextually the impact of their proposals on adjacent buildings by means of adequately detailed plans with accurate street elevations to avoid unacceptable adverse impact upon the amenities of the occupiers of nearby residential properties.” |
| 77 Lexden Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3BW |
First floor extension above existing garage and front porch extension. | 202677 | Object | Decision | The Parish Council has no objection in principle to an extension to this property, however there is insufficient information to determine the application in relation to its boundary and adjacent properties.
The Council would refer to PP10 of the CBC-adopted West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, specifically the statement that: “Planning applications must show contextually the impact of their proposals on adjacent buildings by means of adequately detailed plans with accurate street elevations to avoid unacceptable adverse impact upon the amenities of the occupiers of nearby residential properties.” |
| Blackheath Bulb Co., Nayland Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3DE |
Replacement of three agricultural buildings with three dwellings (In lieu of Prior Approval for three dwellings subject of Application 191409)- resubmission of application no.192968 | 202756 | Object | Decision | New builds are not allowed outside the settlement boundary. It is against Colchester Borough Council policy and the CBC-adopted West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan. With regards paragraph 3.13 in the application’s Planning & Heritage Statement the applicant appears to forget that the Neighbourhood Plan area is the Parish boundary and not the settlement boundary. Conversion of barns is currently allowed, but demolishing them in order to erect 3 new dwellings is not, as CBC is no doubt aware. |
| 2 Hall Farm Cottages, Hall Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3DU |
Two Storey/Single Storey Rear Extension together with Associated Alterations | 202739 | Observation | Recommendation | The Parish Council has no comment. |
| Ash’s Convenience Express, 87 Colchester Road, West Bergholt CO6 3JU |
Single storey rear extension including raising of existing rear flat roof and new shopfront | 202746 | Support | Recommendation | The Parish Council has no comment. |
| 5 Heathside, West Bergholt CO6 3JT |
Proposed Conversion of garage to form annexe, including the provision of a roof dormer | 202748 | Observation | Recommendation | The Parish Council has no objection to this application, subject to approval being conditional on the annex only being occupied by dependent relatives and that it is not sold or let separately to the applicant’s main property. |
Item 3: Review Planning Decisions:
Will review next month.