Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chandler and Posnett MBE.

 

Councillor Smedley was appointed as substitute for Councillor Posnett.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Chair.

 

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Field OS 002, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray

Reference:	19/00377/REM
Applicant:	Pegasus Group
Location:	Field OS 0002, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray
Proposal:	Development of 266 dwellings with associated landscaping and drainage

 

The Local Plans Manager addressed the committee and provided a brief summary of the application.   Mrs Legge also confirmed :

 

·         Following the publication of the Officer’s report, the applicant had submitted details of the proposed materials including a materials plan, and the highway authority had responded to the consultation.  This information had been circulated to Members by email

 

·         In addition to this updated information, a further public comment had been received stating that in determining the access onto Leicester Road the highway authority had failed to take into consideration the access to the Westleigh housing development to the north of Leicester Road.  However, the Committee was aware that this application related only to the reserved matters; the access was approved under the 2015 planning application, at a similar time to the Westleigh housing application

 

·         This application had been reviewed by a design review panel in September 2019, and amendments had been made to the scheme in response to this. The path along the north south link to the west of the site had been reinforced as a continuous green corridor and pedestrian footpath from the attenuation basin towards the public open space

 

·         Overall the design review concluded that subject to those amendments, the masterplan was a well-considered response to the site constraints and made the most of the opportunities that the topography and existing vegetation provided

 

·         Recently following further discussions with Bellway and their agents, to further enhance the ‘green credentials’ of the site the developer had agreed to offer the provision of wiring for car charging points to all of the private 4 bedroom dwellings (amounting to 79 dwellings, which was around 30% of the site) in an attempt to satisfy policy EN9 of the Local Plan. This was not however a requirement of the outline permission

 

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Para 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a four minute presentation :

 

James Hicks of Pegasus Planning Group, Agent on behalf of Applicant

 

Following questions from Members, Mr Hicks confirmed:

 

·         Duration of the build programme would be 4-5 years, dependent on market response and work would commence on site in the first quarter of the new year

·         There was no obligation to use greener methods of heating for the homes than those proposed at the current time however building regulations could change during the build period and homes would be built to the latest standard required

·         He was satisfied that there were sufficient drainage arrangements on the site

·         Electric car wiring had been added for the larger houses in response to purchaser demand

 

During discussion the following points were noted:

 

·         The internal highways of the site were currently not adopted but developers were working with the Council and Highways on the requirements to ensure adoption such as widening on  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL156

Field OS 002, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray

Reference:	19/00245/REM
Applicant:	Barratt Homes
Location:	Land off Field OS 0002, Leicester Road Melton Mowbray
Proposal:	Approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) related to Phase 1 of the outline approval 15/00910/OUT for the erection of a total of 520 dwellings (the wider approved development) and provision of drainage associated infrastructure and public open space (Phase 1 of 17/00717/VAC /15/00910/OUT)

 

The Planning Officer addressed the committee and provided a brief summary on progress of the application.   Mr Nallamilli also explained :

 

·         This proposal followed on from the planning application just considered and was linked to the wider site  

·         The report set out the key design policies and identified some faults with the design approach taken by the developer on pages 7 and 8

·         Since the circulation of the report recommending refusal the applicants had submitted new images of the site access which were displayed to the Committee

·         The applicants had submitted a whole series of sectional landscaping plans to demonstrate why their landscaping was acceptable. The updated plans did not address the landscaping issues identified

·         Boundary Wall – the applicants were proposing a boundary wall as a design feature at the entrance off Kirby Lane, it would be more appropriate for this to be a green filtered screen

·         Recommendation - Officers met with Barratts in the previous week, the agricultural land owner’s representative Mr Granger and a representative from Gladmans who secured the outline scheme and were still involved in the subsequent transactions, however since circulation of the report, Officers had received further correspondence from Barratts. They still requested that the Reserved Matters application (Ref: 19/00245/REM) be considered by the committee in its current submission

·         Barratts had committed themselves to working with officers positively to improve the scheme in terms of the layout and offered to negotiate on the second application if this scheme was refused

·         Officers welcomed the commitment from the developer to get their design team to resolve the design’s issues which had been identified and as such he proposed that the recommendation be changed to deferral.  This was to enable the developers to meet with officers and negotiate an improved scheme with a focus on the following :

 

(a)   a scheme that will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short-term but over the lifetime of the development;

(b)   produce something that is visually attractive as a result of good architecture, layout and appropriate and effective landscaping;

(c)    produce something which is sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting;

(d)   establish a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and a distinctive places to live, and visit;

(e)   produce a sustainable development which also recognises the implications arising from the effects of climate change.

 

To achieve and secure these objectives the Planning Officer suggested a change to the recommendation :

 

That the Planning application be deferred to enable  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL157

Brambles, 35 Bolton Lane, Hose

Reference:	19/00890/FUL
Applicant:	Mr and Mrs Edwards
Location:	Brambles, 35 Bolton Lane, Hose
Proposal:	Erection of detached building to rear garden to form small cattery business with residential use of dwelling

 

The Planning Officer addressed the committee and provided a brief summary of the application and the issues it gave rise to.  

 

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Para 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a four minute presentation :

 

(1)  Mr and Mrs Edwards, the Applicants

 

Following questions from Members, Mrs Edwards responded :

 

·         Specialist cleaning agents for pets would be used to cleanse the drains and avoid smells.  The spray used would remove all contamination.  Wipes and all waste would be treble bagged before disposal.  Environmental Health had indicated approval to the cleansing plan.  Fortnightly specialist bin collection would be arranged and the applicants would monitor smells and arrange weekly collection if there was unpleasant odour from the cattery

·         The bins were located next to a fence shared by the neighbours and their garden was on the other side of the fence

·         There was car parking at the house for multiple cars, however an appointment system would be in operation, therefore only one car being the cat owner would visit at a time

·         There was heating and ventilation for the cats to accommodate all outdoor temperatures

 

(2)  Councillor Chris Evans, Ward Councillor made a four minute presentation

 

A point of order was raised by Councillor Higgins who requested that Councillor Evans refrain from approaching Members of the Committee during the meeting in the interests of transparency and impartial decision-making.

 

During discussion the following points were noted:

 

·         The applicants lived in the house adjoining the garden in question therefore they wished to maintain the same high standards in the business as was evident in their home (from the Planning Officer’s visit)

·         No objections had been received from the Highway Authority nor Environmental Health however the scheme had been slightly amended to deal with ventilation issues raised

·         There would be some impact on neighbours but not enough to warrant refusal

·         The applicants were investing in a high quality building and materials therefore a temporary permission was not viable

·         The majority of Members were supportive of the venture and had evidence from their own experiences with cats that it was not usual for cats to smell

·         It was mentioned that individuals could have 8 cats of their own with no regulation and no recourse for dealing with complaints

·         It was felt that small rural businesses such as this were to be welcomed

·         Neighbours’ concerns were understood by most Members but they were not felt to be strong enough for refusal

·         Should there be concerns in the future, residents could contact Licensing or Environmental Health with their complaints

·         Concerns were raised at the site being in the middle of the village and there being potential for dangerous traffic manoeuvres whilst accessing the site

·         With regard to the concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL158

Levesley House, 14 City Road, Stathern

Reference:	19/00500/VAC
Applicant:	-
Location:	Levesley House, 14 City Road, Stathern
Proposal:	Proposed variation of conditions 2 and 10 of application 18/00980/FUL for the erection of 8 dwellings and the formation of vehicular access

 

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery addressed the committee and provided a summary of the application, explaining the principal changes between it and the existing approval on the site and highlighting in particular:

 

·         Changes to the layout of plot 1

·         Changes to the site layout resulting in the loss of a length of hedge

·         Changes to the height of plot 6

·         The changes were not considered to be unduly detrimental and the  application was still recommended for approval

 

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Para 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a four minute presentation :

 

(1)  Ken Bray, Chair of Stathern Parish Council

 

Following questions from Members, Mr Bray confirmed:

 

·         The Parish Council wished to remain with the existing permission and not approve the changes proposed to the development

·         The Parish Council felt the latest changes made to plot 1 in particular made it look taller, despite being the same height to ridge, to the detriment of the two neighbouring listed buildings

 

(2)   Caroline Chave, Agent on behalf of Applicant

 

Following questions from Members, Ms Chave confirmed:

 

·         There were windows on the third floor in the roof area as the purchaser wished to use that area as a bedroom

·         The development had been designed to accommodate individual purchaser’s requirements, similar to a self build, hence the request for the changes to the previous application

·         The net change of bedrooms across the site was 3 additional bedrooms, there were some change to the size of rooms as well as utility spaces and playrooms above garages introduced

 

(3)   Councillor Chris Evans, Ward Councillor

 

During discussion the following points were noted:

 

·         There was concern regarding the introduction of skylights and that these might stand out in the night sky and were not appropriate in a conservation area

·         As the development was at the edge of the village, it was felt that the buildings should be at a lower level

·         The removal of a historic hedgerow was a concern but other Members felt this was more than compensated for by the new landscaping scheme which included new hedging

·         The majority of Members felt that the changes were not so impactful that the application did not warrant approval

·         There had been  incremental design changes to make the homes larger, some Members felt this undermined the previous approval and the planning system but amendments were commonplace and the differences proposed were not adverse so as to warrant a refusal

 

Councillor Illingworth proposed the recommendations in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Douglas. 

 

RESOLVED

 

That application 19/00500/VAC be APPROVED in accordance with the conditions set out in the report.

 

(8 in favour, 2 against)

 

REASONS

 

·         The proposals seek to vary the design and layout of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL159

Buildings adjacent to The Hall, Hose Lane, Long Clawson

Reference:	19/00709/FUL
Applicant:	-
Location:	Buildings adjacent to The Hall, Hose Lane, Long Clawson
Proposal:	Proposed residential redevelopment of former farm complex comprising the conversion of existing equestrian buildings to form 3 dwellings and the replacement of all non-traditional former agricultural buildings with 3 'self/custom build' homes (in lieu of the 5 new dwellings approved under LPA reference 18/00872/GDOCOU)

 

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To advise the committee of current national performance indicator outcomes related to the determination of planning applications for Quarter 2 (July to September 2019)

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery submitted a report which advised the committee of current national performance indicator outcomes related to the determination of planning applications for Quarter 2 (July to September 2019).   It also covered appeal results in the period concerned and section 106 agreements.

 

Members felt this was a good report with helpful statistics and looked forward to receiving updates on section 106 contributions each quarter.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

 

There was no urgent business.