Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Wed 19th January 2022 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

Planning Committee Members:

Cllrs Bob Tyrrell (Chairman), Brian Butcher (Vice chairman), Andrew Savage and Joel Fayers

Also in attendance:

Laura Walkingshaw (Parish Clerk) and 2 members of the public

Agenda items:

1.   Apologies for absence:

None

2.   Declarations of interest:

Cllr Savage declared an interest in PA 213344 as Chairman of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood, who currently receive free storage in the barn and Cllr Fayers declared an interest in PA 220103.

3.   Public participation:

There were no questions received from the public.

4.   Planning applications:

To discuss and make decisions on the following new applications:

213344 – Barns at, Hall Road, West Bergholt

Re-use of a traditional Essex barn for residential accommodation, including a small extension to replace a poor-quality asbestos structure and the removal of the asbestos open structure. Change of use of small parcels of agricultural land to residential.

Comment:

The Parish Council object to this application as it does not accord with the Neighbourhood Plan due to its location outside of the settlement boundary as per PP9 of the CBC-adopted West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan. The design is good, and the Council would like to see the area tidied up, however it must remain consistent and ensure applications are in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan.

Decision:

OBJECT

213414– 3 Sackville Way, West Bergholt, CO6 3DZ

Proposed First floor Extension over garage and internal alterations. New pitched roof to entrance.

Comment:

The Parish Council has no comment.

Decision:

SUPPORT

213465 – land adj. Rosaville, White Hart Lane, West Bergholt, CO6 3DB

Outline permission with all matters reserved for a detached dwelling and double garage. Resubmission of Application Ref: 212293.

Comment:

The Parish Council would reiterate its comment on the previous application 212293 as nothing has fundamentally changed:

West Bergholt Parish Council cannot support and recommends refusal of the new building as it is outside the village settlement limits and is contrary to CBC-approved West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, as supported by 94% of parish voters, and therefore within the countryside.

The National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) sets out a presumption in favour of sustainable development which is embedded in Policy SP1 of the North Essex Authorities Shared Strategic Section 1 Plan (adopted 2021) Para 78, states that: ‘In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs’. West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan established a need for smaller 1,2 and 3 bed smaller family homes as there is already an adequate supply of 4/5 bed properties in West Bergholt NPPF Para 79 also goes on to say: ‘To promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities’. This is not appropriate to this application as its located on an unadopted lane on the very edge of the village, this is not a sustainable location. The site represents an unallocated greenfield site. In addition to the above strategic policies, Policy PP9 of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan (adopted 2019) states that new housing development within the village will be provided on two allocated housing sites. The site does not form part of these allocated sites.

Decision:

OBJECT

212415 – The Thatchers, Nayland Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3DE

Siting of two Portacabins and one storage container and including change of use from Agricultural to Use Class F1 (Old use class D1) – Learning and Non-Residential Institution.

Comment:

The Parish Council support this application subject to its sole use in perpetuity by the charity for supporting the community or else planning conditions should revert the site to its original agricultural status. The portacabins should only be utilised for their intended commercial use and never for residential purposes. Also, the Parish Council is unhappy and disappointed that this design results in the loss of 100’s of metres of mature trees and  hedgerow.

Decision:

SUPPORT

220096 – Highfields, Cooks Hall Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3EX

New outbuilding ancillary to the dwelling to be used as storage.

Comment:

The Parish Council has no objection to this application, subject to approval being conditional on the outbuilding is not used as residential accommodation or sold/let separately to the applicant’s main property. 

Recommendation to Parish Council meeting:

SUPPORT

220103 – 3 Garret Place, West Bergholt, CO6 3SH

Proposed Loft Conversion and First Floor Alterations.

Comment:

This application is not in accordance with PP10 of the CBC-approved West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, specifically in reference to the Village Design Statement’s DG14 “Dormers should be used sparingly and be subservient in nature”.

Recommendation to Parish Council meeting:

OBJECT

5.   Planning decisions:

The following planning decisions were received from CBC and noted:

West Bergholt PC Decision Date	WBPC Decision	Application No. and link to CBC planning website	Location	Proposal	CBC/Appeal Decision Date	CBC/Appeal Decision	Appeal Pending
17/2/21	Object	210192	16 Newbridge Hill	Part first floor and two storey front extension.	17/12/21	Refused
20/1/21	Support	201686	Land south of WB Cricket Club, Colchester Rd, WB	Outline application for up to 18 dwellings with access to be determined and all other matters reserved. (AMENDED PLANS)	20/12/21	Approved	N/A
17/11/21	Support	213008	Moonridge, Bourne Road, CO6 3EP	Proposed single & two storey front, side & rear extensions	21/12/21	Approved	N/A
24/11/21	Support	213133	The Firs, 38 Lexden Road, CO6 3BX	Single storey rear extension	21/12/21	Approved	N/A
17/11/21	Object	212945	The Settlers, Newbridge Hill, CO6 3ER	Two storey side extension and alterations to roof and external finishes	23/12/21	Approved	N/A
18/08/21	Support	212209	Clare House, 47 Lexden Road	Proposed car port and garden room.	17/01/22	Approved	N/A
16/09/20	Support	201925	Land adjacent, 12 Colchester Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3JG	Outline application for up to 7 dwellings with access determined and all other matters reserved.	O/S
21/07/21	Support	211838	1 Armoury Road	Two storey front extension.	O/S
20/10/21	Support	212695	33 Lexden Road	Replacement of large single storey self-contained extension with proposed rear two storey extension	O/S
17/11/21	Support	213106	2 Garthwood Close, CO6 3EA	Proposed front single storey porch extension	O/S
15/12/21	Support	213292	Doctors Surgery, Erle Havard Road	Proposed first floor extension above existing approved ground floor extension for additional medical room.	O/S
15/12/21	Object	213286	5 Whitehouse Cottages, Bourne Road	Double storey side extension to create new master suite and dining room below. Single storey rear extension to extend kitchen	O/S

6.   Date of next meeting:

The next Planning Committee meeting will be held on Wed 16^th February 2022 in the John Lampon Hall, Lexden Road, CO6 3BW.

The meeting closed at 8.20 pm.