Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Ian Senior  01954 713028

Items
No. Item

1.

Planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites pdf icon PDF 17 KB

This report is attached to the paper version of the agenda as a separate document. 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Endorsement of the draft response, subject to modification to address the following:

 

1.                  the definition of the term ‘Traveller’

2.                  partnership working and proportionality

3.                  the need for a national strategy on Travellers’ needs and sites

4.                  the need for central government funding

5.                  a database showing provision made by each local authority in the UK

 

and any further changes requested by the Cabinet at its meeting on 10th March 2005

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report seeking its views on the proposed response to the consultation document entitled Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Sites from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) before the Cabinet finalises the Council’s response at its meeting on 10th March 2005.

 

In paragraph 6.2 of the report, the word “sites” in the fifth line should have been “pitches”.  In paragraph 9.5 of the report, the word “not” between the words “enhanced by” and “allowing…” in the third line should have been omitted.

 

Members and officers discussed the following points:

 

(a)

There was an urgent need for greater partnership working.  For example, Utility providers should be encouraged to notify South Cambridgeshire District Council when requested to connect services in areas not identified for lawful development.  The Deputy Director of Development Services agreed that reference to this should be made in the Council’s response, and undertook to investigate a methodology.

 

(b)

District Councils’ responsibilities in relation to taking action against unlawful traveller encampments should be funded by central Government.  The cost of dealing with an, essentially, national issue should not fall disproportionately on individual local authorities.

 

(c)

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister must address the issues of lawlessness, and the Human Rights of settled communities.  The Police must be seen to be enforcing the law effectively and even-handedly.

 

(d)

Local Members were welcome to submit responses to the ODPM from a local viewpoint, but were encouraged to attach copies of those submissions to the finalised response from the District Council.

 

(e)

The District Council should liaise closely with relevant parish councils in order to involve local communities at the earliest possible stage. 

 

(f)

A more precise definition was needed of both the terms “Traveller” and “Showman”.

 

(g)

Density, land use issues and the categorisation of villages in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 should all be issues in establishing a relationship between the number of travellers’ pitches in a particular village and the number of settled residents in that village.

 

(h)

Travellers applying for planning permission in the countryside should have to provide evidence of their status and identity in line with normal planning practice relating to development outside village frameworks.

 

It was essential that the Council’s response should strike the right balance, seeking to reduce the tensions that currently exist between travelling and settled communities.  The Council should be proud of its achievements in making provision for travellers within its district, and the ODPM should give it due credit. 

 

The Committee ENDORSED, in principle, the draft response to the ODPM’s consultation paper, as set out in paragraphs 6 – 10 and Appendix B of the report from the Director of Development Services, subject to amendments relating to:

 

(1)

the definitions of the terms ‘Traveller’ and ‘Showman’

(2)

partnership working and proportionality

(3)

the need for a national strategy on Travellers’ needs and sites

(4)

the need for central government funding

(5)

a database showing provision made by each local authority in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

S/0082/05/F - Graveley pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Decision:

Delegated Approval subject to negotiations to resolve design issues relating to the dormer windows and cat-slide roof, and address the concerns of Cambridgeshire County Council in connection with the adjacent Public Footpath. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL subject to negotiations to resolve design issues relating to the dormer windows and cat-slide roof, and to address the concerns of Cambridgeshire County Council in connection with the adjacent Public Footpath. 

3.

S/1964/04/RM - Sawston pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Approval as report but with no Decision Notice being issued until the expiry of 3 weeks or until the developers and Sawston Parish Council have concluded their negotiations over the extent of the commuted sum on offer for providing the pedestrian crossing whichever is the sooner.

Minutes:

APPROVAL of Reserved Matters of siting, design, external appearance and means of access in accordance with application dated 22nd September 2004, as amended by plans date stamped 1st December 2004 and 1st February and 14th February 2005, and in accordance with outline planning permission dated 2nd June 2004, reference S/2392/02/O, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein and to a delay in issuing the Decision Notice until the expiry of three weeks or until the developers and Sawston Parish Council have concluded their negotiations over the extent of the commuted sum on offer for providing the pedestrian crossing, whichever is the sooner.

 

Councillor SGM Kindersley voted against delaying issue of the Decision Notice.

4.

S/2080/04/F - Sawston pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Delegated Approval subject to confirmation that the turning head is acceptable. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL subject to re-notification in respect of the amended plans received on the 28th February and officers satisfying themselves that the turning heads can be provided without causing serious harm to the amenity of neighbours for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to in the report.

5.

S/0076/05/F - Teversham pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Decision:

Refused as report 

Minutes:

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

6.

S/2316/04/F - Shingay-cum-Wendy pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Decision:

Refused as  report.

Minutes:

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

7.

S/0019/05/F - Bassingbourn pdf icon PDF 144 KB

Decision:

Refused as report. 

Minutes:

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

8.

S/0209/04/F - Steeple Morden pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Decision:

Refused contrary to report on the grounds of access, design and inconsistency with policies HG7 and SE4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004. 

Minutes:

REFUSED contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.  Having visited the site, Members expressed concern with the access and design, and  the proposal’s conflict with policies HG7 and SE4 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004. 

 

Councillor NJ Scarr did not attend the site visit, was absent at the beginning of the debate and did not vote.

 

Mr S Travers-Healy from Steeple Morden Parish Council addressed the meeting.

9.

S/0134/05/F - Waterbeach pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Decision:

Refused contrary to report on the grounds of adverse and overbearing impact upon neighbouring properties as a result of the proposal’s bulk, contrary to Policy HG12 of the Local Plan. 

Minutes:

REFUSED contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services. Having visited the site, Members considered that the development would have an adverse and overbearing impact upon neighbouring properties as a result of the proposal’s bulk, contrary to Policy HG12 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004.

10.

S/2490/04/F - Waterbeach pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Decision:

Refused as report and resolved to take enforcement action on the grounds of both the height and position of the garage. 

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED to take enforcement action on the grounds of both the height and position of the garage. 

 

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts voted for approval of the application and against enforcement.

11.

S/0042/05/F - Thriplow pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Decision:

Delegated Refusal. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED REFUSAL in accordance with the amended recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services, for the reason set out therein and subject to clarification of the boundaries.

12.

S/0011/05/F - Babraham pdf icon PDF 100 KB

Decision:

Delegated Approval subject to achieving satisfactory parking arrangements. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL subject to the receipt of an amended plan correctly showing the distance between the front of the dwellings and the footway and the proposed on-site parking subsequently omitted and Reason for Approval 1 being revised to read as follows:

 

Although the development is not in accordance with South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 Policy SE8, it is considered to be acceptable as a departure from the development plan as the development would provide needed smaller units for occupation by employees and/or students working at the adjacent Babraham Institute and, by enabling the occupiers to walk to work, would contribute towards Green Transport objectives.

13.

S/2582/04/F - Shepreth pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Decision:

Delegated approval as report. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL 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 ensuring that the affordable dwelling is occupied only by qualifying persons and secured in perpetuity for that purpose, and to the Conditions referred to in the report.

14.

S/2517/04/F - Meldreth pdf icon PDF 199 KB

Decision:

Deferred for a site visit. 

Minutes:

DEFERRED for a site visit.

15.

S/2595/04/F - Croxton pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Decision:

Refused contrary to report on the grounds of bulk and adverse impact on the property to the north of the development site, and inconsistency with Policy HG12 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004. 

Minutes:

REFUSED contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services.   Having visited the site, Members expressed concern at the bulk of the extension and adverse impact on the property to the north of the development site, and conflict  with Policy HG12 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004. 

16.

S/1164/04/F - Comberton pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Delegated approval as per report dated 6th October 2004, and deletion of the additional Condition contained in the report dated 2nd March 2005.  Permitted development rights to be removed. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL for the reasons set out in the report dated 6th October 2004 from the Director of Development Services, subject to the Conditions referred to therein, deletion of the additional Condition contained in the report dated 2nd March 2005, since this would have resulted in the visibility splays requested by the Local Highways Authority leading to the unnecessary loss of a hedge which makes an important contribution to the setting of the Conservation Area, and removal of Permitted Development Rights.

17.

S/2611/04/F - Madingley pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Decision:

Minded to approve as report. 

Minutes:

Members were minded to APPROVE the application, as amended by letter  dated 14th February 2005 and plan number F65 03/01 A015 Revision D, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein, to it 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.

18.

S/1299/03/F - Boxworth pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Decision:

Refused contrary to report on grounds of size of garage and materials. 

Minutes:

REFUSED contrary to the recommendation contained in the report from the Director of Development Services. Having visited the site, Members considered that the size of the garage and type of materials used conflicted with policies SE5 and EN5 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004.

19.

S/2570/04/LB & S/2571/04/F - Ickleton pdf icon PDF 179 KB

Decision:

Approval as report. 

Minutes:

APPROVAL of both the planning and listed building applications, as amended by drawings date stamped 7th February 2005, for the reasons set out in the report from the Director of Development Services and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.  It was reported that the Parish Council had withdrawn its objection to the proposals.

20.

S/2554/04/F - Little Shelford pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Decision:

Approval as report. 

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor CR Nightingale did not take part in proceedings when this application was discussed by Little Shelford Parish Council, although he had been in attendance.

21.

S/0559/04/F - Great Eversden pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Delegated approval as report. 

Minutes:

DELEGATED APPROVAL for the reason set out in the report from the Director of Development Services subject to confirmation from the Building Control Manager that the proposed conversions can be carried out without requiring major or complete reconstruction, to the receipt of further amended plans addressing the issues of the number of roof lights and extent of the residential curtilage, the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement securing the units as holiday lets, and safeguarding Conditions.

 

Members noted that the date for determination of this application was 13th May 2004, and not 2005 as stated in the report.

 

Members received the Appendix to this report as a late item, which had not therefore been in the public domain for the statutory period.

22.

S/0651/04/F - Great Eversden pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Decision:

Refused as report. 

Minutes:

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

23.

Appeals against Planning decisions and Enforcement Action pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Decision:

Noted. 

Minutes:

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

 

·                   

Decisions notified by the Secretary of State

 

Councillor SGM Kindersley commented that the results this month (five appeals allowed by the Inspector out of a total of seven) would suggest that some training was needed for members of the Development and Conservation Control Committee.

 

·                   

Summaries of recent decisions of interest 

·                   

Appeals received

·                   

Local Inquiry and Hearing dates scheduled before the next meeting on 6th April 2005

·                   

Appeals withdrawn or postponed

·                   

Advance notification of Local Inquiry and Informal Hearing dates, subject to postponement or cancellation

 

24.

To consider making an Order in Gamlingay pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to make an Order as report. 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report seeking its authority to make and serve a Tree Preservation Order in respect of land at Little Heath, Gamlingay.

 

RESOLVED

that the Committee authorise officers to make and serve a Tree Preservation Order in respect of trees at Little Heath, Gamlingay and, subject to there being no formal objection, which is not withdrawn and which therefore triggers a site visit, to confirm the Order in due course.

25.

To consider the confirmation of Orders in Fen Ditton, Fowlmere and Papworth Everard pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to confirm all three Orders without modification. 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report reviewing Tree Preservation Order nos.09, 10 and 11 of 2004.

 

RESOLVED

that Tree Preservation Orders 09/04/SC at Ermine Street South,  Papworth Everard, 10/04/SC at 2 Wrights Close, Fen Ditton and 11/04/SC at the Elms, Lynch Way, Fowlmere be confirmed without modification..

26.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act). 

27.

Cambourne Trailer Park and the Embargo

Minutes:

The Head of Legal Services distributed a confidential memorandum from him to Members of the Development and Conservation Control Committee, and a copy of a confidential letter from Solicitors acting for the Cambourne developers to South Cambridgeshire District Council.   Members discussed the issues raised.