Agenda, decisions and minutes

 Councillor Mrs PS Corney

Councillor CR Nightingale nominated Councillor Mrs PS Corney as Chairman of the Planning Committee.  Councillor B Burling seconded this.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts nominated Councillor SGM Kindersley as Chairman of the Planning Committee.  Councillor Mrs P Bear seconded this.

Councillors Mrs PS Corney and SGM Kindersley both consented to the nominations.

A secret ballot took place and the result was as follows:

Councillor Mrs PS Corney         - 6 votes

Councillor SGM Kindersley       - 6 votes

with one spoilt ballot paper received.

Councillor J Stewart observed that the convention at South Cambridgeshire District Council was that the immediate past Chairman of the Committee should be allowed to serve for a second year if that person wished to do so.  Accordingly, he cast his vote as Chairman in favour of Councillor Mrs PS Corney and it was

RESOLVED     that Councillor Mrs PS Corney be elected Chairman of the Planning Committee  for 2008-09.

Councillor SGM Kindersley congratulated Councillor Mrs Ccorney on her re-election.

Councillor RJ Turner 

Councillor Mrs PS Corney nominated Councillor RJ Turner as Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.  Councillor B Burling seconded this.

Councillor RJ Turner consented to the nomination.

There being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED     that Councillor RJ Turner be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee for 2008-09.

During 2007-08, the Sub-Committee consisted of seven members drawn from the Planning Committee – four Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats and one Independent.  It is recommended that the Committee appoint seven members to serve on the Planning Sub-Committee during 2008-09.

Conservative Group members: Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee and two other members of the Planning Committee

Liberal Democrat Group members: Councillors S Kindersley and Mrs H Smith

Independent Group member: Councillor Mrs S Hatton 

The Committee RESOLVED that seven Planning Committee members be appointed to serve on the Planning Sub-Committee, namely

Conservative Group members

Four members of the Planning Committee.

Liberal Democrat Group members

Councillors SGM Kindersley and Mrs HM Smith

Independent Group member

Councillor Mrs SA Hatton 

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest as a member of Cambridgeshire County Councillor.

Councillor RJ Turner declared a personal interest as a Cambridgeshire County Councillor, especially in connection with Minute no. 15 – Cambridgeshire Guided Busway) and Minute no. 16 (Teversham) by virtue of him representing the Electoral Division of Fulbourn, which includes the parish of Teversham.

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2008 as a correct record.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2008.

Agreed as report 

The Committee considered a report seeking an amendment to the Council’s Constitution that would then allow authority to issue a temporary stop notice to be delegated to appropriate officers where it was considered there had been a breach of planning control and it was necessary to safeguard the amenity of the area matter of urgency.

A member referred to paragraph 12 (2) of the report, expressing concern that the term “relevant caravan” might be discriminatory.  The Senior Lawyer assured the Committee that this was not the case, and that the word “relevant” was an essential element of the amendment required. 

In response to concern expressed by another member about the payment of compensation, the Senior Lawyer said that so long as the Council used the proposed tool correctly, then the issue of compensation would not arise. 

The Committee RESOLVED that the Constitution be amended as follows:

(1)           That, in respect of Table 3 of Part 3 of the Constitution, paragraph 3(5), there be    added the following clause, after paragraph 3(5)(b):

“3(5)(C) Ibid S.171E: Whether there appears to be a breach of planning control and whether it is expedient that the relevant activity should cease immediately – Temporary Stop Notice”

(2)           That in respect of Additional Delegated Powers, there be an amendment where                highlighted in bold as follows:

“1. The Principal Solicitor and Corporate Manager for Planning and Sustainable Communities are individually authorised to issue and serve Enforcement Notices, Stop Notices and Temporary Stop Notices in connection with material changes of use of land and operational development associated with relevant caravan use in breach of planning control.”

Refused as report not only for the reason set out therein, but also noise emanating from vehicles using the proposed access close to no. 4 Mingle Lane, a failure to address the concerns expressed by the Inspector at the Appeal Hearing on 21 September 2006, adverse impact upon the trees on site (subject to confirmation by The Tees and Landscape Officer), overbearing nature and the proposal being out of keeping with the street scene.

Dr Michael Dawes (objector), Colin Brown (applicant’s agent), and Councillor A Berent (a local member) addressed the meeting.

The Committee REFUSED the application in accordance with the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Members agreed the reasons for refusal as bein not only the reason set out in the report, but also noise emanating from vehicles using the proposed access close to no. 4 Mingle Lane, a failure to address the concerns expressed by the Inspector at the Appeal Hearing on 21 September 2006, adverse impact upon the trees on site (subject to confirmation by The Tees and Landscape Officer), overbearing nature and the proposal being out of keeping with the street scene.

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal and prejudicial interest as the applicant, withdrew from the Chamber, took no part in the debate and did not vote.

Minded to approve as report 

Janet Cornwell (Waterbeach Parish Council) and Councillors JA Hockney and P Johnson (local members) addressed the meeting.

The Committee was MINDED TO APPROVE the application as amended by letter dated 3^rdApril 2008 and drawings KK/0802/1 Revision A, KK/0802/2 Revision A and KK/0802/4 Revision A, subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), receipt of a detailed car parking plan and comments from the Local Highways Authority, Landscape Design Officer and Sport England, and referral to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Green Belt) Directive 2005 and to the application not being called in by her for determination.

Approved as report 

The Committee RESOLVED that temporary permission be granted for three years subject to Conditions requiring, among other things, the provision of appropriate landscaping and drainage.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts was not in the Chamber during any part of the debate or vote.

Approved as report 

The Committee RESOLVED that temporary permission be granted for three years subject to Conditions requiring, among other things, the provision of safe access and appropriate landscaping and drainage.

Councillor Mrs DP Roberts was not in the Chamber during any part of the debate or vote.

Delegated approved contrary to report subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement relating to kerb maintenance, routing of HGV traffic, and contributions towards the provision of public art and road signage, and subject to further consultation with local parish councils about the revised plans.

Ian Fleming (applicant) addressed the meeting.

The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE the application, in accordance with the Officer’s revised recommendation, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement relating to routeing of HGV traffic, contributions towards the road signage, appropriate kerb reinforcement on the HGV route, and other necessary items and further consultation with local parish councils about the revised plans for HGV movements.

Refused on the grounds of size, location, means of access, the impact of additional traffic on the Valley, all outweighing the need for affordable housing.

Simon Drummond-Hay (for the applicant), Dr Howard Roscoe (Comberton Parish Council), and Councillor Dr SA Harangozo (local member) addressed the meeting.  A written statement of objections raised by local residents had previously been circulated to members of the Committee.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 4 June 2008.  The Committee REFUSED the application, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), on the grounds of size, location, means of access to the site, and the impact of additional traffic on the Valley, all of which outweighed the need for affordable housing.

Councillor NIC Wright declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of his brother-in-law having part ownership of the land involved, withdrew from the Chamber and took no part in the debate.  As Planning Portfolio Holder and, therefore, not a Committee member, he could not have voted in any event.

Delegated approval subject to the receipt of amended layout plans showing the existence of an adequate turning circle. 

Keith Thomas (objector), Richard Owers (applicant’s agent), and Councillor Dr DR de Lacey (a local member) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 4 June 2008.  The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE the application, subject to the receipt of amended layout plans showing the existence of both an adequate access to the rear communal area and an adequate turning circle, acceptance by the Local Highways Authority of that turning circle, and the Conditions referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).

Approved contrary to report on the grounds of the application’s relationship to the surrounding area not presenting any significant harm in planning terms. 

Councillor JH Stewart (local Member) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 4 June 2008.  The Committee APPROVED the application, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities), on the grounds that the development would not significantly harm the openness of the estate. 

The Committee gave Officers delegated powers to DISCHARGE Condition 3(a)(vi) relating to the design and external appearance of the Longstanton Park and Ride site subject to agreement being reached on a timescale for completion of the dedicated bus, foot and cycle way connection to Northstowe, the use of full cut off luminaries in accordance with the recommendations of the Institute of Lighting Engineers, revisions to planting proposals between the balancing pond and the B1050 carriageway to include an appropriate replacement of the hedge ,suitable measures to protect the access and parking on it at “Southwell” and the provision of a footway / cycleway between Longstanton and the Park and Ride site   The Committee DISCHARGED Condition 3(a)(iii) relating to the design and external appearance of the junction of the Longstanton B1050 carriageway with the subject to agreement about the extent and siting of signage and on the detailed signals design by Cambridgeshire County Council ‘s Signals Team.

Tim Tucker (Parish Council Chairman) and Councillor Alex Riley (local member) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 4 June 2008.  The Committee gave Officers delegated powers to DISCHARGE Condition 3(a)(vi) relating to the design and external appearance of the Longstanton Park and Ride site in accordance with the amended drawings submitted by letters dated 8^thNovember 2007 and 20^thMarch 2008, subject to agreement being reached on a timescale for completion of the dedicated bus, foot and cycle way connection to Northstowe, the use of full cut off luminaries in accordance with the recommendations of the Institute of Lighting Engineers, revisions to planting proposals between the balancing pond and the B1050 carriageway to include an appropriate replacement of the hedge ,suitable measures to protect the access and parking on it at “Southwell” and the provision of a footway / cycleway between Longstanton and the Park and Ride site   The Committee DISCHARGED Condition 3(a)(iii) relating to the design and external appearance of the junction of the Longstanton B1050 carriageway with the Guideway in accordance with the letter dated 18^thJanuary 2008 and drawing no. CGBHJY- JNLON-D-1-001B, subject to agreement about the extent and siting of signage and on the detailed signals design by Cambridgeshire County Council ‘s Signals Team.

During the consideration of this item, the Committee RESOLVED to continue the business of the meeting in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Council’s Standing Orders (Duration of meeting).

Delegated approval subject to comments from the Police Architectural Liaison Officer and to a Condition requiring a traffic management scheme for large scale events.

Nigel Duff (objector) and Simon Martin (Parish Council Chairman) addressed the meeting.

The Committee gave officers DELEGATED POWERS TO APPROVE the Reserved Matters application, subject to comments from the Highway Authority and Police Architectural Liaison Officer, in accordance with outline planning permission S/1121/05/O dated 2^nd September 2005 and the Conditions attached thereto, and to an additionalCondition requiring a traffic management scheme for large scale events being held on site.

Councillor Mrs CA Hunt declared a personal and prejudicial interest as the instigator of the Teversham Hall project.  She had been closely involved with the project for over three years and, as a member of Teversham Parish Council, had also been chairman of the committee that had submitted the outline planning application.  Councillor Mrs Hunt withdrew from the Chamber, took no part in the debate and did not vote, so as to avoid any perception of bias or allegation of pre-determination

Councillor RJ Turner declared a personal interest by virtue of him representing the Electoral Division of Fulbourn (includes the parish of Teversham) on Cambridgeshire County Council.

Summaries of Decisions of interest attached.

Contact officers:

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

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

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