Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED    that Councillor RGR Smith be elected Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee for the coming year.

Councillor RF Bryant, Chairman of Council, took the Chair at the beginning of the meeting, and paid tribute to the high profile which Councillor Mrs JM Healey had given the Development and Conservation Control Committee during her three years as its Chairman.

Councillor Mrs JM Healey nominated Councillor RGR Smith as Chairman of the Committee.  Councillor SGM Kindersley seconded this nomination.

There being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED    that Councillor RGR Smith be elected Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee for the coming year.

Councillor RGR Smith took the Chair, endorsed the comments of the Chairman of Council, and conveyed his good wishes to Councillor JH Stewart, who had declined the opportunity to stand for the Chairmanship, having served as Vice-Chairman during the past 12 months.

RESOLVED            that Councillor Dr JPR Orme be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee for the coming year.

Councillor RF Bryant nominated Councillor Dr JPR Orme as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.  Councillor JD Batchelor seconded this nomination.

Councillor Mrs JA Muncey nominated Councillor CR Nightingale as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.  Councillor RJ Turner seconded this nomination.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts nominated Councillor Mrs SA Hatton as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.  Councillor SM Edwards seconded this nomination.

Upon a secret ballot being conducted, the votes cast were as follows:

As no candidate had secured more than 50% of the votes cast, Councillor CR Nightingale was eliminated from the contest and a second secret ballot was conducted.  The votes cast in this second ballot were as follows:

RESOLVED            that Councillor Dr JPR Orme be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee for the coming year.

To authorise the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd June 2004, a copy of which was included in the agenda for the Annual Council meeting on 24^th June.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd June 2004, copies of which had been included in the agenda for the Annual Council meeting on 24^th June 2004.

For the coming year, the Travellers Consultative Group consists of the Portfolio Holders for Community Development, Environment, Housing, and Planning and Economic Development (Councillors Mrs DP Roberts, SGM Kindersley, Mrs EM Heazell and Dr DR Bard respectively) and four Members appointed by Cabinet – Councillors RE Barrett, Ms J Dixon, Mrs JA Muncey and Ms H Smith.  To complete the membership, Development and Conservation Control Committee must appoint two Members.  In 2003-2004, the Committee’s representatives were Councillors Mrs JM Healey and JH Stewart, but these were not appointed ex-officio.

RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet

that the Leader of the Council (Councillor Mrs DSK Spink) become an ex-officio member of the Travellers Consultative Group.

RESOLVED

(1)               that the Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee become an ex-officio member of the Travellers Consultative Group, with the Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee becoming an ex-officio substitute for the Committee Chairman; and

(2)               that Councillors MJ Mason and TJ Wotherspoon be appointed to the Travellers Consultative Group by the Development and Conservation Control Committee.

RESOLVED to recommend to the Cabinet

that the Leader of the Council (Councillor Mrs DSK Spink) become an ex-officio member of the Travellers Consultative Group.

RESOLVED

(1)               that the Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee become an ex-officio member of the Travellers Consultative Group, with the Vice-Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee becoming an ex-officio substitute for the Committee Chairman; and

(2)               that Councillors MJ Mason and TJ Wotherspoon be appointed to the Travellers Consultative Group by the Development and Conservation Control Committee.

Erection of House and Garage with Annexe Over Following Demolition of Bungalow and Outbuilding at 43 Fowlmere Road For Mr & Mrs K Esplin

REFUSED

REFUSED contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.  Having visited the site, Members acknowledged that the proposed house was acceptable, but took the view that, by virtue of its height, bulk and position, the proposed garage/annexe building would be unduly overbearing in the street scene and would create a ‘tunnelling effect’ along this section of Fowlmere Road.  It would thereby be out of keeping with the character and appearance of development on the west side of Fowlmere Road and would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

(Councillor Mrs Harris, Vice-Chairman of Heydon Parish Council, addressed the meeting.)

Relocation of Mobile Home to House Temporary Staff – 144 Cambridge Road for Shelford Lodge Ltd

DEFERRED

DEFERRED to enable more information to be sought about the application and for a site visit.

Erection of kennel and cattery buildings at Haydn, Bourn Bridge, Abington for Mr and Mrs Dropinski

MINDED TO APPROVE

Members were MINDED TO APPROVE the application, contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to no objections being raised by the Highways Agency, it being referred to the Secretary of State, and not being called in by him for determination.  Having visited the site, Members took the view that this was an appropriate location for the particular proposal, notwithstanding its location in the Green Belt, because they considered that kennels/catteries were an essential part of the service infrastructure.  The proposal would go some way towards meeting an unmet demand in the area; away from residential properties, was appropriate for kennels/cattery buildings; and, importantly, would not detract from the openness or rural character of the Green Belt.  The proposal therefore did not materially conflict with either Policy P9/2a of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 or Policy GB2 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004.

Extension and conversion into 18 flats, The White House, 66 Hay Street for ARJ Construction Ltd

MINDED TO APPROVE

Members were MINDED TO APPROVE the application, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.  Such approval would be subject to the proposal being advertised as a departure from the Development Plan, being referred to the Secretary of State, and not being called in by him for determination.  Approval would be for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Section 106 Legal Agreement and Conditions referred to therein, and to a further Condition requiring that an archaeological assessment be carried out.  Councillor Mrs CAED Murfitt, the local Member, expressed her appreciation of the high level of service and assistance given to the village in the past couple of years by the Area 4 Planning Officer and his team.

(Councillor S Travers-Healy from Steeple Morden Parish Council addressed the meeting, and endorsed the comments of Councillor Mrs Murfitt.)

Change Of Use Of Paddock To Residential Garden associated With 43A High Street and The Erection of Mower And Tractor Store (Retrospective Application) At Land Rear Of 43a High Street For B York

REFUSED

RESOLVED to take appropriate enforcement action.

REFUSED, contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.  Having visited the site, Members considered that the proposal represented an inappropriate use in the Green Belt, which would have an adverse effect on the rural openness and character of the countryside in the Green Belt.  It conflicted, therefore, with Policy P1/3 of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 and Policies SE9 and GB/2 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004.  The Committee also RESOLVED to take appropriate enforcement action.   A Member asked officers to investigate the height of the fence along the northern, eastern and southern boundaries.

Regional Gliding Competition, Gransden Lodge Airfield For Cambridge Gliding Club

DELEGATED APPROVAL in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.

(Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest as Clerk to Hatley Parish Council.)

 Erection of 2.4 metre high security fencing and gates at Units 49 and 50 Viking Way, Bar Hill for Coal Pension Properties Ltd.

WITHDRAWN

This item had been WITHDRAWN from the agenda, having been determined in accordance with delegation procedures.

Erection of House and Garage Following Demolition of Existing Bungalow, 15 High Street for Upware Marina.

REFUSAL

REFUSAL for the reason set out in the report from the Director of Development Services.

Residential development following demolition of existing and alterations to access road, 131 The Causeway and land adjoining for Mrs C Parker

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL of outline consent, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement securing the provision of affordable housing and an education contribution, and to safeguarding Conditions.

(Councillor RGR Smith declared a personal interest as an adjacent landowner.)

Removal of Agricultural Occupancy Condition (Condition 1 of Planning Permission S/0017/86/F), Beck Farm, Toft Road, for Mr C White.

APPROVAL

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

Use of Site and Building for Weekly Car Auction for Kartsport UK, Royston Road (Mr S Butcher)

APPROVAL

APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Condition referred to therein and an additional Condition prohibiting karting from taking place on auction days.  Members asked officers to explore, with the applicant, the use of appropriate advance-warning information boards.

Twenty six Dwellings at GC20, Land off Jeavons Lane, Cambourne for Granta Housing Trust Ltd

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL of amended drawings date stamped 24^th May 2004, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement and to the Conditions referred to therein.  Members asked officers to discuss with the Local Education Authority the issue of the adequate provision of education places within the village.

Erection of six houses and four Flats on land off Milner Road for Mrs M Morgan

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL of site plan date stamped 18^th December 2003 and layout plan date stamped 22^nd January 2004 for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement securing the provision of affordable housing and the requested educational contribution, to the Conditions referred to in the report, and an additional Condition prohibiting the operation of powered equipment in the evenings and at weekends during the construction period.

Change of Use of Unit 2 from agricultural use to caravan storage (Retrospective) at Setbroad Farm, Oakington Road for Mr M. Ragnauth

APPROVAL

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

Extensions to Dutch Barn, Brook Farm, Little Heathfor R Woodcraft.

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the receipt of an amended layout plan showing sufficient space for landscaping on the northern boundary, the comments of the Local Highways Authority and the Conditions set out in the report.

Erection of Egg Production Unit and Storage Building together with Access, Land at Station Road, for Mr I Quince

DEFERRED

DEFERRED, in line with the amended recommendation of the Director of Development Services, in order to explore the proposal’s impact on ecology, access and the risk of flooding, and to evaluate the result of consultation on the revised drawings.

Agricultural Mobile Home and access, land at Station Road for Mr I Quince

DEFERRED

DEFERRED pending the results of outstanding consultations and the work required in respect of application reference S/2194/01/F (Minute no. 20 above refers).

Erection of six dwellings, land off Samian Close/West of East Drive, Highfieldsfor Taylor Woodrow Developments Ltd

DEFERRED

DEFERRED to enable officers to investigate, together with the Environment Agency, the issue of storm water drainage.

Variation of Condition 3 of Planning Permission S/0242/01/F to allow hot food Takeaway service between 11.00am and 2.30pm, and 5.00pm and 11.00pm at 44 Station Road for R Dias

REFUSED

REFUSED for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services presented to the Committee at its meeting on 7^th April 2004.  The proposal to allow lunchtime takeaway sales on a permanent basis was defeated by 13 votes to seven.  The proposal to allow evening takeaway sales on a trial basis was defeated by 18 votes to three with two Members not voting.

(Councillor Max Parish, Chairman of Histon Parish Council, addressed the meeting.  Councillor R Hall declared a personal Interest because of the close proximity of his house to that of the local representative of the Federation of Small Businesses.)

Erection of fence and gate and Change of Use of land to domestic garden at 4 Magdalene Close, Longstanton for R Hinde

DEFERRED

DEFERRED for a site visit.

(Councillor A Riley declared a personal interest as having voted on this application when it was considered by Longstanton Parish Council.)

 Erection of two Dwellings Following Demolition of Existing Dwelling; Corner Cottage, Woodside for Mrs G.Hayden-Smith

DELEGATED APPROVAL

DELEGATED APPROVAL of amended plans, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein and to the applicant being informed of the need to safeguard the Ash tree from development.

(Councillor A Riley declared a personal interest in this item as having contributed to the consideration of the application by the Parish Council.)

Erection of 4 signs, The Blue Lion Public House, 2 Horningsea Road, Fen Ditton for Greene King Pub Company

DELEGATED APPROVAL of Sign H

Signs B, K and L REFUSED

DELEGATED APPROVAL of Sign H, subject to the applicant agreeing to install down-lighting and to the standard advertisement Conditions referred to in the report from the Director of Development Services.

Signs K and L REFUSED for the reasons referred to in the report from the Director of Development Services.

Sign B REFUSED, contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services, for the reasons stated therein for refusing consent for Signs K and L.

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

·                      Decisions notified by the Secretary of State

The Deputy Director of Development Services informed Members that this Council’s record of winning appeals exceeded the national average.  A significant reason for this was that the Authority regularly updated its planning policies.

·                      Summaries of recent decisions of interest

·                      Appeals received

·                      Local Inquiry and Informal Hearing dates scheduled before the Committee’s next meeting on 4th August 2004

·                      Appeals withdrawn or postponed

·                      Advance notification of future local inquiry and Informal Hearing dates (subject to postponement or cancellation)

The last tour, on 9^th September 2002, focused on new development undertaken in the south of the District.

RESOLVED    that a tour of new development in the north of the District be arranged to take place on 14^th September 2004, starting at 10.00am.

Members noted that the last tour, on 9^th September 2002, had focused on new development in the south of the District.  It was

RESOLVED    that a tour of new development in the north of the District be arranged to take place on 14^th September 2004, starting at 10.00am.

The Committee NOTED an Index of current Enforcement Cases and a report, dated 7^th July 2004, detailing progress being made with Enforcement Action.

For the benefit of new Members, the Deputy Director of Development Services explained that John Koch, Appeals Officer, was responsible, at Appeal Hearings, for giving evidence as a witness on behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

In connection with 19/03 (Moor Drove, Cottenham Road, Histon), and following discussion by Members, the Enforcement Officer emphasised the importance of considering the outcome of the public inquiry on 10^th August 2004 before taking further action.

RESOLVED            that Tree Preservation Order 01/04/SC at 2 Ermine Street North, Papworth Everard be confirmed without modification.

The Committee considered a report on Tree Preservation Order 01/04/SC, which had been made in Papworth Everard, under delegated powers, on 28^th April 2004.

As the Council had not received any objections to the provisional Order within the permitted period, it was

RESOLVED            that Tree Preservation Order 01/04/SC at 2 Ermine Street North, Papworth Everard be confirmed without modification.

RESOLVED    that Tree Preservation Order 02/04/SC at 4 Orchard Road, Haslingfield be confirmed without modification.

The Committee considered a report on Tree Preservation Order 02/04/SC, which had been made in Haslingfield, under delegated powers, on 28^th April 2004.

The Council had received one objection to the provisional Order within the permitted period.  A site visit, involving the then Chairman of the Development and Conservation Control Committee (Councillor Mrs JM Healey), the local Member (Councillor Mrs EM Heazell) and the Trees and Landscape Officer thus took place on 23^rd June 2004.  In line with the recommendation from that site visit, it was

RESOLVED    that Tree Preservation Order 02/04/SC at 4 Orchard Road, Haslingfield be confirmed without modification.

RESOLVED    that the Council reaffirm its stance in relation to seeking substantial compliance with the Section 106 Legal Agreement dated 20^th April 1994, and that the Development and Conservation Control Committee request a further update at its next meeting on 4^th August 2004.

The Committee received a further report on progress being made by the Developers of Cambourne in complying with their obligations under the Section 106 Legal Agreement dated 20^th April 1994.

The Senior Planning Assistant gave a verbal update.

RESOLVED    that the Council reaffirm its stance in relation to seeking substantial compliance with the Section 106 Legal Agreement dated 20^th April 1994, and that the Development and Conservation Control Committee request a further update at its next meeting on 4^th August 2004.

The Committee NOTED the contents of this Circular, published on 29^th March 1993.