Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillors JD Batchelor, SGM Kindersley and RJ Turner declared general personal interests as Cambridgeshire County Councillors.

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2007 as a correct record.  These Minutes will be available on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2007.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the vacancy created by the resignation from the Planning Sub-Committee of Councillor Mrs DP Roberts would be filled by an Independent Councillor on the Planning Committee following an election within the Independent Group.  The result of that election would be known on 16 February.

Approved as report, with additional Conditions relating to drainage and contaminated land. 

The Committee APPROVED the application for the reason set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the Conditions referred to therein and additional Conditions relating to drainage and contaminated land. 

Councillor Dr DR Bard declared a personal interest as a member of Sawston Parish Council.  He was present when the Parish Council considered this application but did not vote on that occasion.  He was now considering the matter afresh.

Councillor Mrs SA Hatton declared a personal interest by virtue of having attended, as Chairman of Sawston Parish Council Planning Committee, the meeting at which the full Parish Council considered this application.  She took no part in the debate there.    She was now considering the matter afresh.

Approved as report. 

The Committee APPROVED the application, as amended by drawing number 172/02A date stamped 22^nd January 2007, for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

Councillor Dr DR Bard declared a personal interest as a member of Sawston Parish Council.  He was present when the Parish Council considered this application but did not vote on that occasion.  He was now considering the matter afresh.

Councillor Mrs SA Hatton declared a personal interest by virtue of having attended, as Chairman of Sawston Parish Council Planning Committee, the meeting at which the full Parish Council considered this application.  She took no part in the debate there.    She was now considering the matter afresh.

Enforcement action approved in respect of the wall / fence only with a compliance period of three months. 

Prior to considering this item, Members attended a site visit on 5^th February 2007. The Committee RESOLVED to issue an Enforcement Notice to secure the removal of the wall / fence only, with a three month compliance period. 

Appendices 1 and 2 are available, for reference, on the Council’s website. 

Refused contrary to the report on transportation grounds as recommended by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Prior to considering this application, Members attended a site visit on 5^th February 2007. The Committee REFUSED the application, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being on transportation grounds, as recommended by Cambridgeshire County Council in a response received on 7^th February and reported verbally to Committee.

Councillors Mrs CAED Murfitt and NJ Scarr did not vote.

Councillor Mrs SA Hatton expressed concern at the flood risk posed by this application.

Mr. Peter Draper, a Pampisford Parish Councillor and former Chairman of the Parish Council, addressed the meeting.

 Appendices 1 and 2 are available, for reference, on the Council’s website. 

Refused contrary to the report on transportation grounds as recommended by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Prior to considering this application, Members attended a site visit on 5^th February 2007.  The Committee REFUSED  the application, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Members agreed the reason for refusal as being on transportation grounds, as recommended by Cambridgeshire County Council. 

Approved as report.

The Committee APPROVED the application, as amended by plan numbers 14A, 16B, 17B, 18A and 19B date stamped 10^th January 2007, for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and subject to the Conditions referred to therein. 

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal interest, having attended the meeting of Little Shelford Parish Council where this application was considered.  He took no part in the debate there and was considering the matter afresh.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts was not present during the first part of the debate, and did not vote.

Approved as report .with an additional Condition removing the permitted development right to install a balcony on Plot 5.

The Committee APPROVED the application, subject to amended plans date stamped 22^nd January 2007, for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and subject to the Conditions referred to therein and an additional Condition removing the permitted development right to install a balcony on Plot 5.

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal interest, having attended the meeting of Stapleford Parish Council where this application was considered.  He took no part in the debate there and was considering the matter afresh.

Refused contrary to report on the grounds of the development being detrimental to the character of the area, by reason of the amount of development,  contrary to Policies P1/3 of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 and HG10 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 and insufficient evidence submitted to satisfy Policy CS9 of the Local Plan in regard to loss of village service.

The Committee REFUSED the application contrary to the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities). Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being the detrimental nature of the development to the character of the area, by reason of the amount of development,  and it being contrary to Policies P1/3 of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 and HG10 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 and insufficient evidence submitted to satisfy Policy CS9 of the Local Plan in regard to loss of village service.

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal interest as Chairman of Great Shelford Parish Council.  He attended the meeting of that Council’s Planning Committee at which this application had been discussed, but took no part in the debate and was now considering the matter afresh.

 Approved as amended by drawings for the reasons set out in the report, subject to the Conditions referred to therein with Condition 8(i) referring also to Classes F and G and Condition 2 requiring details of windows and doors as well. An additional condition will require Flemish Bond brickwork.

The Committee APPROVED the application as amended for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the Conditions referred to therein with Condition 8(i) referring also to Use Classes F and G and Condition 2 requiring details of windows and doors as well, and an additional Condition requiring the use of Flemish Bond brickwork.

Appendices 1, 2 and 3 are available, for reference, on the Council’s website.

Delegated approval as report, subject to no objections being received from the Local Highways Authority, following satisfactory responses from the Ecology Officer and Landscape Design Officer, with the Chairman of the Land Drainage Advisory Group being added to the consultation group detailed with finalising the Section 106 details and planning Conditions

The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE the application, following satisfactory responses from the Ecology Officer and Landscape Design Officer, subject to

·                no objections being received from the Local Highways Authority

·                The prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement, and appropriate planning Conditions (in particular, those recommended by the Environment Agency, the final terms of which should be agreed in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee, the Chairman of the Land Drainage Advisory Group, and Local Members for Milton and Waterbeach.

·                The discharge of drainage Conditions and a ‘Phase Two Flood Risk Assessment’ being considered by the Land Drainage Advisory Group and Planning Committee.

Councillor JA Hockney (not a member of the Committee and without a vote), declared a personal interest having attended the meeting of Landbeach Parish Council at which this application had been discussed, but did not vote there.

Councillor Mrs HM Smith declared a personal interest by virtue of having taken a close interest in the previous application relating to this matter. After that received outline permission, she had attended Cambridge Rowing Trust Board meetings as an observer but taken no part in the Board's decision making.  She had no personal friends on the Board. Involvement ended in 1999. Councillor Mrs Smith also declared a personal interest as a member of King's College, having coxed a boat on the Cam for three years as an undergraduate.  She  had not taken part in rowing since then.  When the current application was discussed at many Milton Parish Council meetings she had taken part in the discussion, but was again considering the matter afresh here.

Councillor RT Summerfield (not a member of the Committee and without a vote) declared a personal interest as a member of Milton Parish Council and by virtue of his involvement with Milton Country Park.

 Approved as report.

The Committee APPROVED the application for the reason set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

Councillor NJ Scarr declared a personal interest by virtue of his involvement with this application.

Councillor NIC Wright declared a personal interest having visited the site with the applicant.

Delegated refusal for the reasons set out in the report (Reason 2 being amended so as to delete Policy EN3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 and substitute it with Policies HG8 and HG10, and for an additional Reason relating to ecology.

The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO REFUSE the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) (Reason 2 being amended so as to delete Policy EN3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 and substitute it with Policies HG8 and HG10, and Reason 3 being assessed against an amended plan) and for an additional Reason relating to ecology.

 Approved as report.

Councillor SGM Kindersley took the Chair for this item.  The Committee APPROVED the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the Conditions referred to therein, Conditions 10 and 11 being amended to ensure that vehicular access is available from the site to the existing dwelling at number.37 London Road.

 Refused as report.

Councillor SGM Kindersley took the Chair for this item.  Prior to considering this application, Members attended a site visit on 5^th February 2007.  The Committee REFUSED the application for the reason set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities). 

Councillor NIC Wright declared a prejudicial interest by virtue of an awaited committee decision on his own  barn conversion application, withdrew from the Chamber, took no part in the debate and did not vote.

Councillor Dr DR Bard did not attend the site visit, and abstained from voting.

 Delegated approval / delegated refusal, subject to discussions with the applicants on siting and massing in the context of the Conservation Area.

Prior to considering this application, Members attended a site visit on 5^th February 2007.  The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE OR REFUSE the application, subject to the outcome of discussions with the applicants to reconsider siting and massing in the context of the Conservation Area.

Dr. Howard Roscoe, Chairman of Comberton Parish Council’s Planning Committee, addressed the meeting.

 Approval as report following resolutions of the Environment agency’s concerns.

Following resolution of the Environment agency’s concerns, the Committee APPROVED the application subject to appropriate safeguarding Conditions, which would include

·                removing Permitted Development Rights to change the use to another use within the same Use Class

·                controlling drainage, flood risk, external lighting, materials, landscaping and landscaping implementation

·                restricting the use of power operated machinery and location of power driven plant or machinery

·                preventing outside storage (other than vehicles)

and subject to a Green Travel Plan.

 Approval. in accordance with the revised Officer recommendation, following the receipt of further comments from the Local Highways Authority.

The Committee APPROVED the application. in accordance with the revised recommendation from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), following the receipt of further comments from the Local Highways Authority.

Councillor Mrs A Elsby declared a personal interest by virtue of her attendance, as an observer only, at meetings of Longstowe Parish Council.

Councillor R Hall declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of his acquaintence with the applicant’s mother and his visits to Longstowe Hall, withdrew from

Councillor Mrs DSK Spink declared a personal interest by virtue of her acquaintence with the applicant’s mother.

Withdrawn from the agenda. 

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

Minded to Approve as report. 

The Committee was MINDED TO APPROVE the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the resolution of storage height restrictions and referral to the Secretary of State as a Departure from the Development Plan.  Should the application not be called in for her determination, officers would issue planning permission subject to Conditions, which would include:

·                ensuring that no development commences until the Park and Ride facility is in place prior submission of details of the access into the site, measures for physically preventing Heavy Goods Vehicles from accessing the goods yard from the existing access

·                requiring a scheme for pollution control

·                restricting the use of power operated machinery and requiring details of any power driven plant or machinery

·                requiring landscaping and implementation and details of the balancing pond

Approved as report. 

The Committee APPROVED the application, as amended by plan no. 4642 date stamped 18^th January 2007, for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and subject to the Conditions referred to therein.

Approved as report subject to the Environment Agency’s comments on the Flood Risk Assessment, and to an additional Condition restricting the hours of power tool operation during the period of construction.  

The Committee gave Officers DELEGATED POWERS TO  APPROVE the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), subject to the nature of outstanding Environment Agency comments on the Flood Risk Assessment, to the Conditions referred to in the report and to an additional Condition restricting the hours of power tool operation during the period of construction.  

Refused as report with officers to discuss enforcement  with the Chairman and Local Member under delegation procedures.

The Committee REFUSED the application for the reason set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), with officers to discuss enforcement  with the Chairman and Local Member under delegation procedures.

Delegated approval / delegated refusal dependent on the outcome of consultation with local Members to review the condition of the walnut tree and the design of the building. 

The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE OR REFUSE the application, dependent on the outcome of consultation and discussion with local Members and the applicant to review the condition of the walnut tree and the design of the building. 

No Summaries of Decisions of interest this month.

Contact officers:

Gareth Jones, Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities)  – Tel: 01954 713155

John Koch, Appeals Manager (Special Projects) – Tel: 01954 713268

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

Contact officers:

Gareth Jones, Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities)  – Tel: 01954 713155

John Koch, Appeals Manager (Special Projects) – Tel: 01954 713268

The Committee noted that an information report on Appeal statistics had been published on the Council's website.

Noting that this had been his last Planning Committee meeting, the Chairman and Committee thanked Mr Colin Tucker, Head of Legal Services, for all his help and guidance during the last eighteen months, and wished him success in his new role in private legal practice.  In response, Mr. Tucker paid tribute to the high standards maintained by the Council’s Planning officers, and wished South Cambridgeshire District Council well in the future.