Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2008 as a correct record.  These minutes have been published online at www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2008.

For Consultation.  There is a link with the electronic version of this agenda to the plan on Huntingdonshire District Council’s website.

The Committee resolved unanimously that South Cambridgeshire District Council should object to the application submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council on the grounds of the proposal’s proximity to Graveley village, its domination of, and overwhelming impact on, the outlook westwards from the village, and its adverse impact on the setting of St. Botolph Church seen from the east and on residential properties along Toseland Road. 

Mr Bev Gray (objector on behalf of the Cotton Farm Action Group), Keith McConnell, Chairman of (Graveley Parish Council), and Mrs Pat Dillon (Toseland Parish Council in Huntingdonshire) addressed the meeting.

The Committee resolved unanimously that South Cambridgeshire District Council should object to the application submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council on the grounds of the proposal’s proximity to Graveley village, its domination of, and overwhelming impact on, the outlook westwards from that village, and its adverse impact on the setting of St. Botolph Church seen from the east and on residential properties along Toseland Road. 

Councillors Mark Howell and Nick Wright declared personal interests by virtue of having attended parish council meetings relating to this application.  Neither had contributed to the debate at those meetings, and each was now considering the matter afresh.

Approved as report 

The Committee approved the change in trigger point for provision of the Cambourne Sports Centre to 31^st December 2009.

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest as a member of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority.

Approved as report 

Mrs Elizabeth Poulter (objector) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 5 November 2008.  The Committee approved the application, as amended by letter dated 6 October 2008 and plans JK.08.2 Revision A and JK.08.4 Revision A, subject to the Condition referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).

Refused contrary to report on the grounds of the location, appearance and cumulative impact of the garage in the conservation area, contrary to policies in the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007 (especially Policy CH/5). 

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 5 November 2008.  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 the conspicuous siting of the garage, which would add to the visual impact of buildings in, and cause harm to, the conservation area, contrary to Policy CH/5 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007.

Councillor Charles Nightingale declared a personal interest as having attended the parish council meeting at which this application had been discussed.  He had not contributed to that discussion and was approaching the matter afresh.

Refused as report 

Mr. Chris Anderson (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 5 November 2008.  The Committee refused the application for the reasons set out in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).

Councillor Robert Turner declared a personal and prejudicial interest as the local member living in the property adjacent to the application site, withdrew from the Chamber, took no part in the debate and did not vote. 

Noting that the application was a departure from the Development Plan, the Committee gave officers delegated powers to approveor refuse the application, subject to the application not being called in by the Secretary of State for her determination. Approval would be subject to the submission of amended plans addressing concerns raised by the Trees and Landscape Officer and Local Highways Authority, and revising the basement parking plan, and a Section 106 Legal Agreement or Deed of Variation replicating the requirements of the previous agreement. The application would be refused if outstanding concerns could not be addressed satisfactorily.

Quinlan Terry (applicant) addressed the meeting.  Colin Brown (the applicant’s agent) was in attendance to provide additional information.

Noting that the application was a departure from the Development Plan, the Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve or refuse the application, subject to the application not being called in by the Secretary of State for her determination. Approval would be subject to the submission of amended plans addressing concerns raised by the Trees and Landscape Officer and Local Highways Authority, and revising the basement parking plan, a Section 106 Legal Agreement or Deed of Variation replicating the requirements of the previous agreement, and safeguarding Conditions based on those referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities). The application would be refused if outstanding concerns could not be addressed satisfactorily.

Councillor Charles Nightingale declared a personal interest as having attended the parish council meeting at which this application had been discussed.  He had not contributed to that discussion and was approaching the matter afresh.

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 noted a report on Appeals against planning decisions and enforcement action, and a decisions summary relating to

§                Selective Developments (Appeal no. 1 - House and detached garage, Appeal no. 2 - House and garage) - Pepys Way Girton – Both appeals allowed.

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