Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest as a Cambridgeshire County Councillor, especially in connection with Minute number 99 (Wimpole), a parish covered by his Electoral Division of Gamlingay.

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2008 as a correct record.  The minutes are attached to the online version of the agenda.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2008.  

 The Committee noted that this application had been withdrawn from the agenda. 

Approved as report 

The Committee approved the application, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement securing a contribution of £77,000 towards the provision of affordable housing and to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).

Refused contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: non-compliance with Policy HG/3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, which requires the provision of an agreed mix of affordable housing. 

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 application’s non-compliance with Policy HG/3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, which requires the provision of an agreed mix of affordable housing. 

Approved as report with additional Conditions restricting occupation to the Brethren of the Causeway Gospel Hall Trust and the amendment of Condition 8 in the report so as to prevent amplification of any kind (not just music).

Tim Drake (applicant) addressed the meeting.

The Committee approved the application, subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) (Condition 8 being amended so as to prevent any type of amplification, including music) and an additional Condition restricting occupation to the Brethren of the Causeway Gospel Hall Trust.  

Delegated approval as report subject to the application not being called in for determination by the Secretary of State. 

Guy Flintoft (for the applicant), Jane Coston (Chairman, Milton Parish Council) and Councillor RT Summerfield (a local Member) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 14 January 2009.  The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the receipt of acceptable proposals relating to development in the vicinity of North Lodge, outstanding comments from consultees, and the application not being called in for determination by the Secretary of State.

Councillor Mrs PM Bear declared a personal interest as a personal friend of Jane Coston, addressing the Committee on behalf of Milton Parish Council.

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest by virtue of his acquaintance with Jane Coston, addressing the Committee on behalf of Milton Parish Council, as a former Cambridgeshire County Councillor.

Councillor Mrs HM Smith declared a personal interest as a member of Milton Parish Council who had attended a number of meetings at which this scheme, including Section 106 issues, had been discussed.  Together with other parish councillors, Councillor Smith had visited a similar scheme by the same developer in Rugby.  She stated that she was considering the matter afresh.

Delegated approval as report 

The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to outstanding consultation responses relating to the amended plans, and safeguarding Conditions.

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest as Cambridgeshire County Councillor for the Electoral Division of Gamlingay, covering the parish of Wimpole.  He had attended meetings at which this application had been discussed.

Refused contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: non-compliance with Policy DP/3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, which requires that proposals should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on such things as village character, by virtue of the height and position of windows having an overlooking effect on the neighbouring property, thus leading to a loss of privacy.

Mr Pawson (objector) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 14 January 2009.  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 non-compliance with Policy DP/3 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework 2007 (which requires that proposals should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenities) by virtue of the height and position of windows overlooking and causing loss of privacy to residents of the neighbouring property.

Deferred to allow further consultation with, among others, Papworth Everard Parish Council 

Philip Leggett (Applicant), Paul Hicks (Papworth Everard Parish Council), and Councillor NIC Wright (a local Member) addressed the meeting.

The Committee deferred making a decision to allow further consultation with, among others, Papworth Everard Parish Council 

Approved as report with an additional Condition requiring that the surface of the car parking spaces consist of a permeable material 

The Committee approved the application as amended by plan reference 83/CP/15 Revision A date stamped 4 December 2008, subject to the Conditions referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and an additional Condition requiring that the surface of the car parking spaces be provided with a sustainable method of surface water drainage.

Councillor CR Nightingale was not present at the beginning of the debate, and did not vote.

Refused contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: loss of the distinctive open character of the area 

Brenda Bishop (objector), Paul Belton (applicant’s agent) and Collette Patterson (Little Shelford Parish Council) addressed the meeting.

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 loss of the distinctive open character of the area , which resulted in harm to the Conservation Area.

Councillor SGM Kindersley declared a personal interest by virtue of his acquaintance with Brenda Bishop, addressing the Committee as an objector and referred to in paragraph 19 of the report, a former member of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal interest as Brenda Bishop, addressing the Committee as an objector and referred to in paragraph 19 of the report, was a former member of South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Paul Belton, addressing the Committee as the applicant’s agent, sometimes did some work for him.  Councillor Nightingale stated that he had attended parish council meetings at which this application was considered, but had taken no part in the debate.

Approved as report 

Mr Knight (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 14 January 2009.  The Committee approved the application, subject to the Condition referred to in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities) and an additional Condition restricting construction hours.

Councillor CR Nightingale declared a personal interest by virtue of having attended parish council meetings at which this application was considered, but had taken no part in the debate.

Delegated approval, subject to the agreement of amended drawings, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: preservation of the buildings, the interests of tourism and the benefits for employment justified making an exception to the District Council’s Green Belt Policies. 

It was deemed unnecessary to make reference to the Secretary of State

Don Proctor (applicant’s agent) and Tim Bonivia (Stow-cum-Quy Parish Council) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 14 January 2009.  The Committee gave officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to the agreement of amended drawings, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Members agreed that the preservation of the buildings, the interests of tourism and the benefits for employment justified making an exception to the District Council’s Green Belt Policies. 

It was deemed unnecessary to refer the application to the Secretary of State

Refused, contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: by virtue of the proposal’s proximity to the southern boundary of no. 4 The Square together with the length of the proposal, there would be an overbearing effect and oppressive impact on the dwelling and garden at no. 4 The Square.

Patricia Smith (objector), Mr Halford (applicant) and Duncan Apthorp (Horningsea Parish Council) addressed the meeting.

Prior to considering this application, the Committee attended a site visit on 14 January 2009.  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 proposal’s proximity to the southern boundary of no. 4 The Square together with the length of the proposal, resulting in there being an overbearing effect and oppressive impact on the dwelling and garden at no. 4 The Square.

 Refused contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and Sustainable Communities).  Reason: with reference to paragraph 5 of the report, the proposal amounted to inappropriate development, was unsuitable for agricultural purposes and would have an adverse impact on neighbours’ amenity.

The Committee resolved that an Enforcement Notice be served with a three-month compliance period if the container was not removed voluntarily. 

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 that, with reference to paragraph 5 of the report, the proposal amounted to inappropriate development in the countryside, was unsuitable for agricultural purposes and would have an adverse impact on neighbours’ amenity.

The Committee resolved that an Enforcement Notice be served with a three-month compliance period if the container was not removed voluntarily. 

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 summary of decisions relating to

·           Barratt Homes Limited – Erection of 182 dwellings – Land parcel L2 and land to rear of POS 5, Arbury Camp, Kings Hedges Road, Impington – Appeal dismissed.

·           Mr D Daish – Removal of condition that requires occupation of dwelling in conjunction with Hare & Hounds PH – 62 High Street, Harlton – Appeal allowed

·           Northern Affordable Homes Ltd – 19 affordable dwellings – Land at the Valley, Comberton – Appeal dismissed

The Committee noted a report on enforcement action ongoing as at 14 January 2009.