Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

Contact: Ian Senior, 03450 450 500 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk  Members of the public wishing to speak at this meeting are requested to contact the Support Officer by no later than 4pm on Friday 6 August 2021. A public speaking protocol applies.

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's announcements

Minutes:

The Chair made several brief housekeeping announcements. 

2.

Apologies

Councillor Judith Rippeth has sent Apologies for Absence. To receive apologies for absence from other committee members. 

Minutes:

Councillors Dr. Martin Cahn and Judith Rippeth sent Apologies for Absence. Councillor Dr. Claire Daunton substituted for Councillor Cahn.

3.

Declarations of Interest

 

1.         Disclosable pecuniary interests (“DPI”)

A  DPI is where a committee member or his/her spouse or partner has any kind of beneficial interest in the land under consideration at the meeting.

 

 2.        Non-disclosable pecuniary interests

These are interests that are pecuniary involving a  personal financial benefit or detriment but do not come within the definition of a DPI.  An example would be where a member of their family/close friend (who is not their spouse or partner) has such an interest.

 

3.         Non-pecuniary interests

Where the interest is not one which involves any personal financial benefit or detriment to the Councillor but arises out of a close connection with someone or some  body /association.  An example would be membership of a sports committee/ membership of another council which is involved in the matter under consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 5 (20/01992/FUL - Toft (Bennell Farm, West Street)) because she was formerly the local Member and is familiar with the adjacent site.

Councillor Deborah Roberts

·       declared a nonpecuniary interest in Minute 8 (21/02726/HFUL - Fowlmere (6 Westfield Road)) as a member of Fowlmere Parish Council but was considering the matter afresh.

·       Stated that she would not contribute to the debate or vote at Minute 9 because it related to a gypsy and travellers site (21/0794/TTHR - Cottenham (Land at the junction of Smithy Fen and Twentypence Road)).

 

Councillor Heather Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 14 (Enforcement) as the report included a site in her ward (The Mordens).

 

Councillor Eileen Wilson declared non-pecuniary interests in Minute 6 (20/04754/HFUL - Girton (Reston, Huntingdon Road)) and Minute 9 (21/0794/TTHR - Cottenham (Land at the junction of Smithy Fen and Twentypence Road)). Councillor Wilson had discussed those applications with Councillor Corinne Garvie (a local Member for Girton) and Councillor Neil Gough (her fellow ward Member for Cottenham) respectively but was considering both matters afresh.

4.

Minutes of a Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 261 KB

To authorise the Chair to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 as a correct record.

Minutes:

The Committee authorised the Chair to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 subject to the following:

 

Minute 3 – Declarations of interest

The word ‘no’ was missing from the final sentence of Councillor Dr. Richard Williams’ declaration. That sentence should read “Councillor Dr. Richard Williams took no part in the debate and did not vote.”

 

Minute 5 – 20/05253/FUL - Waterbeach (Cambridge Innovation Park, Denny End Road)

Add the following sentence to the fourth paragraph: “Members welcomed the Green standards, energy efficiency and renewable generation aspects of the proposal.”

 

Minute 8 - 21/01024/OUT - Harston (Land adjacent to 12 Church Street)

In the second paragraph, “…did nor designate the site…” should read “…did not designate the site…”.

5.

20/01992/FUL - Toft (Bennell Farm, West Street) pdf icon PDF 917 KB

 

Erection of 41 dwellings, including two self-build plots and associated development

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee refused the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development. Subject to the final wording being agreed with the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being the height, scale, massing and character of the site, the lack of open space, concern about the location of the affordable housing, and concern about flooding.

Minutes:

Ed Durrant (applicant’s agent) addressed the meeting. The Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) read out a written statement from Toft Parish Council).

 

Members expressed concerns about

 

·       The principle of development, including scale and character

·       The nature, number, and location within the site of the affordable housing units

·       Flood risk

·       The removal of trees and impact on biodiversity

·       Reliance on private vehicles

·       Healthcare provision

·       The conflict with South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning policies

·       The lack of public open space

 

By affirmation, the Planning Committee refused the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development. Subject to the final wording being agreed with the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being the height, scale, massing and character of the site, the lack of open space, concern about the location of the affordable housing, and concern about flooding.

6.

20/04754/HFUL - Girton (Reston, Huntingdon Road) pdf icon PDF 292 KB

 

Removal of existing rear conservatory and replace with larger rear extension with canopy. Extension of existing rear and front gables. Loft conversion with the addition of  rooflights. Replacement garage with workshop above and new detached outbuilding with tennis court and gym to rear.

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee refused the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development. Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being concerns about scale, massing, design, footprint, visual amenity and flooding.

Minutes:

The Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) referred Members to paragraph 64 of the report which stated that, should planning permission be granted in this case, it would not set a precedent, and therefore be a material planning consideration, in the determination of any future applications which may be submitted on this site or elsewhere. This element of the paragraph was incorrect, and, in fact, previous planning decisions were material in the assessment of future applications. This principle was well established in case law where it had been accepted that, in the interest of fairness, like cases should be decided in a like manner unless there were good reasons otherwise.

 

Dominic Mignon (objector) and Councillors Tom Bygott and Corrine Garvie (local Members) addressed the meeting.

 

Committee members expressed great concern about the application, citing

 

·       Mass, size, bulk and design of the garzge

·       Neighbour amenity

·       A detrimental impact on the immediate area

·       The proposed tennis court’s dominance

·       Flood risk

·       Noise pollution

 

In conclusion it is the case that, if this application was supported, it would form a material consideration to future applications, however other material considerations would also need to be considered in any future assessment.

 

By affirmation, the Planning Committee refused the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development. Members agreed the reasons for refusal as being concerns about scale, massing, design, footprint, visual amenity, and flooding.

7.

21/02538/HFUL - Over (30 Hilton Street) pdf icon PDF 379 KB

 

Two-Storey rear extension and two additional gable windows

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

Minutes:

There was no debate and, by affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

8.

21/02726/HFUL - Fowlmere (6 Westfield Road) pdf icon PDF 276 KB

 

Single-storey rear extension replacing existing outbuilding with associated internal alteration

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and the Informative set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

Minutes:

Councillor Deborah Roberts (local Member) confirmed that she had no objection to the proposal and, by affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions and the Informative set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

9.

21/0794/TTHR - Cottenham (Land at the junction of Smithy Fen and Twentypence Road pdf icon PDF 307 KB

 

Removal of one section of hedgerow, seven metres long, to facilitate the pipelaying of a new sewer

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee agreed to issue a Hedgerow Retention Notice.

Minutes:

Councillor John Loveluck (Cottenham Parish Council) recognised the desirability of laying a sewer pipe to Smithy Fen but regretted the removal of a length of hedgerow and its negative implications for biodiversity. This stance was supported by both local Members – Councillor Neil Gough and Councillor Eileen Wilson.

 

Following a short debate, and by affirmation, the Planning Committee agreed to issue a Hedgerow Retention Notice.

10.

To make a provisional Tree Preservation Order - Fulbourn (14 Doggett Lane) pdf icon PDF 236 KB

Decision:

The Planning Committee approved the issuing of a non-emergency provisional Tree Preservation Order.

Minutes:

Councillor Dr. Claire Daunton (a local Member) highlighted the importance of trees to Fulbourn especially on such an important approach to the village.

 

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the issuing of a non-emergency provisional Tree Preservation Order.

11.

To revoke a Tree Preservation Order - Haslingfield (New Road) pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

 

Minutes:

Members were told that the tree had been removed with permission in 2002.

 

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

 

12.

To revoke a Tree Preservation Order - Coton (44 High Street) pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

Minutes:

Members were told that the tree had been removed following an Appeal in 1984.

 

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

 

13.

To revoke a Tree Preservation Order - Balsham (17 Woodhall Lane) pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Decision:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

Minutes:

By affirmation, the Planning Committee approved the revocation of the Tree Preservation Order.

14.

Enforcement Report pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received and noted an Update on enforcement action.

 

The Principal Planning Enforcement Officer outlined the timeframe in which enforcement action could be taken in relation to a breach of Tree Preservation Orders. He confirmed that TPOs were registered as local land charges.

 

The Principal Planning Enforcement Officer updated the Committee about developments relating to

 

·       Croudace Homes Ltd Site, Land off Horseheath Road, Linton

·       Burwash Manor

 

He said that, at the Committee’s meeting on 8 September 2021, he would report on enforcement relating to Cottage Nursery, Cardinals Green, Horseheath, and Smithy Fen in Cottenham.

15.

Appeals against Planning Decisions and Enforcement Action pdf icon PDF 26 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) highlighted in Appendix 1 the appeal relating to land North East of Rampton Road in Cottenham, which had been dismissed.

16.

Section 106 Updates

Minutes:

The Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) reported verbally that, at its meeting on 8 September 2021, the Planning Committee would receive update reports on the progress with Legal Agreements made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and relating to

 

·       S/2075/18/OL - Waterbeach (Land adjacent to Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield Site) determined on 29 January 2021

·       S/3440/18/OL - Bourn (Bourn Airfield) determined on 19 February 2021