Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillors Brian Burling and Ben Shelton sent Apologies for Absence. Councillors David McCraith and Charles Nightingale respectively attended the meeting as substitutes.

Declarations of interest were declared as follows:

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2015 as a correct record.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2015 as a correct record.

Erection of Research and Development building (Use Class B1b), service yard, landscaping, surface and double deck car parking (following the demolition of the day care nursery building), cycle parking and associated infrastructure.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve  the application, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing financial contributions to mitigate off-site impacts of the development on the local road network and ensure that the development supersedes rather than adds to the development previously permitted, the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and further Conditions requiring submission of new plans, and remediation of the site.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Justin Bainton (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting. He summarised the steps taken in finalising the application.

Councillor Sebastian Kindersley welcomed such a significant project as being beneficial to South Cambridgeshire not least as an employment hub.  Councillor Robert Turner noted the applicant’s national importance.

In response to Councillor David Bard’s concern about cumulative pressure on the local road network, Mike Salter from Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways Division expressed confidence that the application would not compromise the existing transport strategy for the area. However, if it did, the County Council had set aside £700,000 to mitigate the situation. In response to the Chairman, Mr. Salter said traffic flows would be monitored through a combination of surveys and gate-counts.

Members also expressed concern about cycling facilities and pressure on housing.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve  the application, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing financial contributions to mitigate off-site impacts of the development on the local road network and ensure that the development supersedes rather than adds to the development previously permitted, the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and further Conditions requiring submission of new plans in respect of the service yard area, and remediation of the site.

Outline application for the erection of Research and Development buildings (Use Class B1b) with a combined floor area of up to 34,220 m2 (GEFA excluding plant) including means of access (with the provision of an internal link road) strategic landscaping and associated infrastructure including parking.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing financial contributions to mitigate off-site impacts of the development on the local road network and ensure that the development supersedes rather than adds to the development previously permitted, the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and further Conditions requiring submission of new plans, and remediation of the site.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing financial contributions to mitigate off-site impacts of the development on the local road network and ensure that the development supersedes rather than adds to the development previously permitted, the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and a further Condition regarding the remediation of the site.

Outline planning for two self build 3 bedroom houses each with a floor area of 120 square metres and a ridge height of 8.5 metres.

The Committee approved the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director. A majority of Members agreed that there was no demonstrable and adverse harm to the countryside and that, therefore, the application did not conflict with paragraphs 7, 17 or 55 of the National Planning Policy Framework or with Policies DP/1, DP/2, DP/3 or NE/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007. They also identified, as a material planning consideration, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s current inability to demonstrate that it had a five-year supply of housing land.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Councillor Ray Manning (a local Member) addressed the meeting. He commended the application as sustainable and said there had not been any neighbour objections.

Councillor Pippa Corney (a Committee and local Member) could not see any demonstrable, material harm that would be caused by the grant of planning permission.

Following further discussion, it was noted that, although the lack of a five-year housing land supply had changed the circumstances under which the Council had now to consider planning applications, it was by no means the only relevant factor.

The Committee approved the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director. A majority of Members agreed that there was no demonstrable and adverse harm to the countryside and that, therefore, the application did not conflict with paragraphs 7, 17 or 55 of the National Planning Policy Framework or with Policies DP/1, DP/2, DP/3 or NE/4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007. They also identified, as a material planning consideration, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s current inability to demonstrate that it had a five-year supply of housing land.

Installation of Multi-Use Games Area, Perimeter School Railings/Gate Realignment & Extend Parking Area

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report and an Informative requiring all vehicles leaving the site to do so in forward gear.

Louise Clark (Headteacher) addressed the meeting. She emphasised the motivation behind the application. Together with Lawrence Powell (Chairman of the Governors), she answered questions relating to car parking provision on site.

Councillor Sebastian Kindersley read out a statement of support from Councillor Henry Batchelor, a local Member.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report and an Informative requiring all vehicles leaving the site to do so in forward gear.

Erection of membrane bubble cover over tennis courts & shed for tennis equipment.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Erection of Five-bedroom Dwelling, Garage, Car Port and Store, including Change of Use of Strip of Land to Residential Curtilage and Landscaping Works

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and Informative set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and an additional Condition removing Permitted Development Rights.

Charlotte Burton (applicant’s agent) and Stuart Miller (Horseheath Parish Council) addressed the meeting. The agent maintained that the proposal would not harm local amenity. Mr. Miller’s concerns related to scale and the proposal being out of keeping with the immediate area.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the applicationsubject to the satisfactory completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the immediate payment of financial contributions in respect of indoor community facilities and public open space, and the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, amended as follows

(i)         Within six months of the date of the decision, full details of soft landscape works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development. The details shall also include specification of all proposed trees, hedges and shrub planting, which shall include details of species, density and size of stock.

(Reason - To ensure the development is satisfactorily assimilated into the area and enhances biodiversity in accordance with Policies DP/2 and NE/6 of the adopted Local Development Framework 2007.)

(j)         The soft landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. The works shall be carried out within six months of the date of the decision or in accordance with a programme agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. If within a period of five years from the date of the planting of any tree that tree, or any tree planted in replacement for it, is removed, uprooted or destroyed or dies, another tree of the same species and size as that originally planted shall be planted at the same place, unless the Local Planning Authority gives its written consent to any variation.

(Reason - To ensure the development is satisfactorily assimilated into the area and enhances biodiversity in accordance with Policies DP/2 and NE/6 of the adopted Local Development Framework 2007.)

Fence and shed (Retrospective)

The Committee approved the application subject to the Condition set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and an additional Condition requiring the construction, within the curtilage of the access (not the public highway), of two pedestrian visibility splays measuring two metres by two metres, such areas to be kept clear of enclosures exceeding 600 millimetres in height.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Condition set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, and an additional Condition requiring the construction, within the curtilage of the access (not the public highway), of two pedestrian visibility splays measuring two metres by two metres, such areas to be kept clear of enclosures exceeding 600 millimetres in height.

Change of use from ancillary residential building to form two short-term holiday let units and associated internal and external alterations.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Matt Hare (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting. He commended the application as sustainable and appropriate within the Green Belt given its compliance with Policy ET/10 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007.

There was some discussion about change of use, and occupancy issues.  The Senior Lawyer said that a change of use would require planning permission, and occupancy could only be controlled on receipt of reasonable evidence that permitted use was being flouted. In response to a further question, the Senior Lawyer said that the Council could not require that it be notified about a change in ownership. However, that information would be readily available at H.M. Land Registry.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Extension, External Alterations and Conversion of Dwelling to Form Ground Floor Pharmacy and Two First Floor Flats together with Provision of Parking Spaces, Cycle and Bin Storage

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Shaun Downey (objector) and Richard Bettison (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting. Mr. Downey’s concerns centred on car parking, the poor quality of the access, proximity to a dangerous junction, and absence of a pedestrian crossing point, Mr. Bettison argued that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the street scene, and was necessary to meet the needs of an expanding population in Waterbeach.

Councillor Peter Johnson (a local Member) had submitted an e-mail in which he suggested that the applicant was prepared to pay for marking the nearby bus bay.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Extension, External Alterations and Conversion of Dwelling to Form Ground Floor Pharmacy and Two First Floor Flats together with Provision of Parking Spaces, Cycle and Bin Storage

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Dwelling

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Erection of 1 no. dwelling

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, amended as follows:

·       In Condition (e), by deleting the words “…of the access…” and replacing with the words “…of both accesses…”

·       In Condition (f), by deleting the words “The new vehicular accesses and parking areas to the existing dwelling…” and replacing with the words “The two new vehicular accesses and parking areas proposed” and deleting the words “…(known as no. 2 High Street, Harston)…”.

·       In Condition (g), by deleting the words “…72 South End…” and replacing with the words “…no. 2 High Street, Harston…”.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Nick Bowden (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting.

Councillor Janet Lockwood (local Member) had submitted a written request for a visibility splay. In response, officers said that, because the Local Highways Authority could not require a visibility splay in this instance, it would not be possible to impose a Condition.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director, amended as follows:

·       In Condition (e), by deleting the words “…of the access…” and replacing with the words “…of both accesses…”

·       In Condition (f), by deleting the words “The new vehicular accesses and parking areas to the existing dwelling…” and replacing with the words “The two new vehicular accesses and parking areas proposed” and deleting the words “… (known as no. 2 High Street, Harston)…”

·       In Condition (g), by deleting the words “…72 South End…” and replacing with the words “…no. 2 High Street, Harston…”

Replacement dwelling

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Dr. Julian Drewe (applicant) addressed the meeting. He said that the dwelling would be moved slightly so as to reduce impact on, and preserve views of, the adjacent Listed Building. He said the proposal had the support of neighbours, and would enhance the area.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Use of the land as a residential caravan park with up to a maximum of 29 caravans

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Councillor Nick Wright (a local Member) addressed the meeting, and drew Members’ attention to the poor state of repair of the access road.

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Provision of 18 residential units (including retention of existing bungalow) plus parking and amenity space.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, as amended, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing

·       Seven Affordable Housing units, first refusal being given to those with a local connection

·       Financial contributions towards the provision of public open space, community facilities, and health and education facilities within Melbourn

And the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Shane Lawrence (objector) and Robert Barton (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting. Mr. Lawrence described the site as representing the defining edge of Melbourn. He said that the proposal was unsustainable and that it offered insufficient Affordable Housing. Mr. Barton highlighted the contribution the proposal would make to the Council’s five-year housing supply.

The Committee was told that both local Members (Councillors Val Barrett and Jose Hales) supported the application.

Councillor Deborah Roberts regretted that New Road was being developed in a piece meal fashion. She claimed that there were several potentially serious implications, not least in terms of on-site car parking.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, as amended, subject to the prior completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing

·       Seven Affordable Housing units, first refusal being given to those with a local connection

·       Financial contributions towards the provision of public open space, community facilities, and health and education facilities within Melbourn

And the Conditions referred to in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling and creation of new vehicular access

The Committee noted that this application had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

The Committee noted that Comberton Parish Council had changed its recommendation from refusal to one of approval. Accordingly, this application had been withdrawn from the agenda and would be determined by officers under the Committee’s scheme of delegation.

Replacement of mobile home for a pair of semi-detached dwellings (RE-SUBMISSION)

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to no objections to Ownership Certificate B being received prior to the end of the 21-day consultation period, and to the Conditions and Informative set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

Members visited the site on 1 September 2015.

Councillor Des O’Brien (a local Member) drew the Committee’s attention to the car parking issues and poor vehicular access to the site. Councillor Anna Bradnam agreed, but acknowledged that two modest houses, as proposed, were preferable to what currently existed on the site.

In response to Councillor O’Brien’s concern that there was no public footpath on the other side of the road, and pedestrians would be inconvenienced should the only footpath become privately owned, the Senior Planning Officer said that the footpath would remain in the public domain and that there would be a right of way granted across it.

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to no objections to Ownership Certificate B being received prior to the end of the 21-day consultation period, and to the Conditions and Informative set out in the report from the Planning and New Communities Director.

The Committee received and noted an Update on enforcement action.

The Committee received and noted a report on Appeals against planning decisions and enforcement action.

Councillor Deborah Roberts welcomed the appointment of consultants to work with local Members and enhance the Council’s presence at Appeal Hearings.