Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Mrs JM Healey nominated Councillor Dr JPR Orme as Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor Dr DR Bard and, there being no further nominations, it was

Councillor Dr JPR Orme took the Chair.

Councillor Mrs DSK Spink nominated Councillor NIC Wright as Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor JH Stewart and, there being no further nominations, it was

In the absence of Councillor NIC Wright, the Committee appointed Councillor RF Bryant as Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

To receive a short presentation outlining the policy context; content and purpose of the Design Guide, and consider launching the consultation draft (Members will receive an illustrated version), developing a programme of staff seminars, and issuing promotional material.

The Conservation Manager gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Council’s proposed Design Guide, and informed Members that they would each receive a copy of the first consultation draft in due course.

The document was welcomed by Members as providing the impetus for ensuring that future development in South Cambridgeshire reflects the character of local villages.  The Conservation Manager commented that, once adopted as Council policy, the Design Guide  would encourage an appropriate analysis of the context of development.  

A Member expressed the hope that “context of development” would result in street names being more closely associated with the District.

A note of caution was sounded in that the raising of standards could lead to the raising of house prices which, ultimately, could have an adverse impact on affordable housing.

The Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder said that the real challenge amounted to persuading developers of new settlements to design entire neighbourhoods rather than simply to select from a portfolio of existing house designs already used elsewhere.

The Director of Development Services observed that the Design Guide would set the tone for design throughout the District, especially in those areas destined for major change during the coming years.  It would highlight the importance of good design in respecting the character of local communities.

The Director of Development Services joined Members in their appreciation of the work carried out buy the Conservation Area and Design Officer in preparing the Design Guide.

RESOLVED

The Committee considered a procedural report seeking its views on the terms of reference, membership and name of the re-established “Sub-Committee” (to be referred to as an Advisory Committee) on planning enforcement matters at traveller sites.

There were two distinct schools of thought.  The first maintained that creating an Advisory Committee specifically relating to enforcement issues on traveller sites could raise concerns about discrimination, and that enforcement of all planning contraventions (including those on traveller sites) should be the responsibility of the entire Development and Conservation Control Committee, be it at the ordinary meeting or at a special one.

The contrary view argued that a small Advisory Committee remained the most effective way of focussing expertise in an area with many complex enforcement issues unique to traveller sites.  The former sub-committee members had been active, often at short notice, at meetings, including those with local residents in Cottenham.    The different demands made by enforcement issues on traveller sites had been recognised and accepted both by central Government and by the Local Government Association.  While the Advisory Committee’s membership should be restricted, its meetings should be open to all Members of Council, especially local Members.  One Member countered the argument that establishing an Advisory Committee to deal with enforcement issues at traveller sites might be construed as being discriminatory, by suggesting that a “blanket approach” to enforcement could just as easily fall foul of the same argument.  Members discussed membership, and whether or not local Members should be entitled to vote.  They also argued for and against a Advisory Committee having delegated powers to act.

The Head of Legal Services offered some observations about procedure, including setting up an Advisory Committee consisting of all Members of the Development and Conservation Control Committee.

Councillor SGM Kindersley proposed the establishment of a Development and Conservation Control Advisory Committee consisting of the entire membership of the Development and Conservation Control Committee together with local Members not on that committee.  This was seconded by Councillor R Martlew and, by 13 votes to 11, with one Member registering their  presence but not voting, the proposal was LOST.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts proposed the formal re-establishment of a small Advisory Committee with local Members entitled to attend its meetings.  This was seconded by Councillor Mrs JA Muncey and, by 15 votes to ten, the proposal was WON.

Members then discussed membership of the Advisory Committee, and whether it should recommend courses of action to the Development and Conservation Control Committee by formal votes or by agreement at Advisory Committee level.  It was argued that members should be appointed by their role on the Council, not by name. 

There was a call for the minority view to be reported separately to the Development and Conservation Control Committee.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts proposed that membership of the Development and Conservation Control Advisory Committee consist of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee together with those four other members of the Committee, whose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

WITHDRAWN. 

Members noted that this application had been WITHDRAWN. 

REFUSED

REFUSED, contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services, for reasons of the adverse effect on the trees, overdevelopment, design and,  if supported by a Highway Consultant, highways concerns

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL, as amended by drawings date stamped 28^th April 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to:

A local Member welcomed the exemplary manner in which the developer had involved the community in providing this much appreciated development.

APPROVAL

APPROVAL, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein. 

REFUSED

REFUSED for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and an additional reason reflecting uncertainty as to the legal status of the vehicular access to the site. 

DEFERRED

DEFERRED pending further discussion between this Council’s Environmental Health Officers and officers at Cambridgeshire County Council to clarify the rationale behind the application and to explore alternative courses of action.

APPROVAL

APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein. 

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL, as amended,for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to “carding” of those neighbours not already notified and the consideration of any material representations received and the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement ensuring that the housing is only occupied by qualifying persons and secured in perpetuity for that purpose, the Conditions referred to in the report, an additional Condition requiring an archaeological survey to be conducted and an informative stating that, during construction, particular attention should be paid to ensuring that all waste and materials are properly secured, particularly overnight, to ensure material is not blown across the adjacent countryside.

Councillor Dr DR Bard declared a personal interest by virtue of his daughter and her fiancé being on the housing waiting list for Sawston.

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the receipt of consistent plans of the accesses to which the Trees and Landscape Officer raises no objections, to any amendments to the fenestration recommended by the Conservation Manager, to the Conditions referred to in the report and to an additional Condition relating to pollution control.  Officers were also asked to write to the County Council urging it to implement a scheme of traffic calming along this section of Cherry Hinton Road in view of the high speed of traffic and the close proximity of farm accesses, the golf club and the park & ride entrance.

APPROVAL

APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein, and to the preparation of an acceptable Management Plan for the construction phase.

Councillor Dr J Williamson was present when the Planning Committee of Waterbeach Parish Council discussed this application, but is not a member of that committee.

REFUSED

REFUSED for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services.

Councillor Dr J Williamson was present when the Planning Committee of Waterbeach Parish Council discussed this application, but is not a member of that committee.  She declared a personal interest by virtue of being acquainted with the applicant’s father.

DEFERRED

DEFERRED for a site visit and to enable further details to be obtained.  Specifically, Members requested answers to the following questions: where would the agricultural and vehicle repair business buildings/uses be rebuilt/relocated?; why was the development not 100% affordable?; how would the application rate in terms of all sustainability issues, including helping to keep the local shop and school open, rather than just in terms of minimising travel and dependence on cars?; would approval be a precedent for similar applications elsewhere?  Members also requested details of the proposed layout/scheme.

Councillor H Hurrell informed Members that he was a farming neighbour of the applicant, but lived nowhere near the site. He did not consider there to be a declarable personal interest.

WITHDRAWN

Members noted that this application had been WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA to enable Members to undertake a site visit. 

APPROVAL

APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

APPROVAL

APPROVAL for the reason set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Condition referred to therein. 

APPROVAL

APPROVAL, as amended by Drawing No. 05/02:001A date stamped 13^th May 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL for the reason set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein and to the existing Section 106 Legal Agreement being modified to bind the application.                             

APPROVAL

APPROVAL of application S/0416/05/F (Phase 1), as amended by plans (Ref: PL-S-031A, PL-S-032A, PL-S-033A) date-stamped 9^th May 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

APPROVAL of application S/0417/05/0 (Phase 2), as amended by plans (Ref PL-S0003A) date-stamped 9^th May 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

APPROVAL of application S/0418/05/F (Artists’ studios and gardeners’ store), as amended by plans (Ref PL-S0003A) date-stamped 9^th May 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of her close involvement with Wysing Arts as Community Development Portfolio Holder, and withdrew from the Chamber.

Councillor Mrs DSK Spink declared a personal interest as South Cambridgeshire District Council’s representative on the Management Board of Wysing Arts, but did not contribute to the Board’s consideration of these proposals.

APPROVAL

APPROVAL, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein. 

WITHDRAWN. 

Members noted that this application had been WITHDRAWN. 

DECLINED TO COMMENT

DECLINED TO COMMENT by virtue of this application not having been submitted validly. 

 The Committee NOTED the following from the report prepared by the Director of Development Services:

Members NOTED performance criteria for the three-month period ended 31^st December 2004.

 Members NOTED graphs in respect of:

·         Planning Decisions for the period 1^st October to 31^st December 2004

·         Planning Decisions for the year ended 31^st December 2004

·         Minor and Major Decisions – Year ended 31^st December 2004

·         Minor and Major Decisions – 1^st October to 31^st December 2004

·         Other Decisions – Year ended 31^st December 2004

·         Other Decisions – 1^st October to 31^st December 2004

·         Percentage of applications determined within eight weeks

·         Total Decisions issued quarterly by South Cambridgeshire District Council

Members RECEIVED and discussed a list of applications over 13 weeks old awaiting decision as at 23^rd July 2004.

Appendices 2 and 3 are available only as hard copy. 

The Committee considered a report on Tree Preservation Order no. 05/05/SC, made under delegated powers on 26^th February 2005 at Woodside, Longstanton.

The statutory period for the registering of objections to the Order had ended on 4^th April 2005.  Two letters of objection had been received.  A site visit took place on 17^th May 2005, at which the Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman were present together with the Trees and Landscape Officer.

The Committee received, in open session, open and confidential versions of the Minutes of the meeting of the Development and Conservation Control Sub-Committee  held on 10^th May 2005.

Members discussed how best to proceed in a manner that promoted fairness, honesty and effectiveness.  In particular, the Council should be pro-active in ensuring that all Council-related issues, including traveller issues, were reported accurately by the Media.