To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies carried over from the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012 related to Councillor Graham Morgan, (substituted by Councillor Jackie Fraser), and Councillor Roger Yeates, (there was no substitution for Councillor Yeates at either meeting).

Apologies for the committee meeting on 17 January 2012 were received from Councillors Lynn Sterry and David Thomson, for which there was no substitution. (Councillors Sterry and Thomson had been in attendance at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012).

To confirm the non-exempt minutes of the meeting on 13 December 2011.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012.

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012.

One item of urgent business was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012.

To receive any declarations of interest in any matter to be discussed at the meeting.  Members and officers are requested to identify the nature of the interest and indicate whether it is personal or prejudicial.

Please refer to the declarations of interest made at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012.

The following declarations of interest were made at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012: -

Councillor James Bevan declared a personal interest in item 5.10 of the agenda, P2011/11/FUL Delkatina, Newnham Road, Blakeney due to a business association with the applicant.

Councillor Philip Burford declared a personal interest in item 5.4 of the agenda, P1277/11/FUL Woolridge Farm, Gloucester Road, Hartpury due to links with the applicant through Hartpury Parish Council and the Three Counties Showground.

To consider the schedule of applications as prepared by the Group Manager for Planning and Housing.

Chairman, Councillor Terry Glastonbury, referred to the schedule of planning applications, as prepared by the Group Manager for Planning and Housing, Peter Williams, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and to the late material that had been circulated before the start of the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (Late material refers to information that has been submitted to the council following publication of the agenda).

The Chairman confirmed that at the planning committee meeting on 10 January 2012, the meeting had been adjourned in accordance with C1 (b) of the council’s constitution and that the planning applications not considered at that meeting would be considered at this meeting. He advised members that no new information, (other than that presented at last week’s meeting), would be taken into consideration. 

The Chairman also confirmed that, during the period following the previous week’s meeting, the following applications had been withdrawn from the agenda at the request of planning officers.

·        Item 5.7 (P1680/11/FUL) Land off Chartist Way, Staunton and,

·        Item 5.9 (P2044/11/OUT) Land adjoining Millennium Cottages, Jubilee Place, Staunton

(The withdrawal of the applications had been due to the council receiving notification of a listed building review by English Heritage to buildings affecting both sites).

The Chairman announced that 5 public speakers would be speaking on items 5.8, 5.10 and 5.11 of the schedule of applications. (The applications are recorded in the order of the agenda). The Chairman reminded the committee to keep their comments relevant to the debate and, where possible, to avoid repeating previous observations.

Change of use and extensions of former agricultural buildings and land, provision of staff welfare facilities and siting of containers, yard office and generator, extensions to smokery and re-arrangement of car parking areas to separate staff and customers, provision of improved drainage facilities, underground fish store and water tanks together with associated landscaping, CCTV pole and extension to existing restaurant opening hours to 21:00 on Fridays (Retrospective).

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Change of use and extensions of former agricultural buildings and land, provision of staff welfare facilities and siting of containers, yard office and generator, extensions to smokery and re-arrangement of car parking areas to separate staff and customers, provision of improved drainage facilities, underground fish store and water tanks together with associated landscaping, CCTV pole and extension to existing restaurant opening hours to 21:00 on Fridays (Retrospective).

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Proposed waste water treatment plant, provision of access track, underground piping and tanks, and associated landscaping.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Proposed waste water treatment plant, provision of access track, underground piping and tanks, and associated landscaping.

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Creation of wash water treatment plant and water store, new hedgerows, hardcored service tracks, underground piping and tanks.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Creation of wash water treatment plant and water store, new hedgerows, hardcored service tracks, underground piping and tanks.

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Change of use of building from B8 to B2 & B8 use, erection of additional B8 storage building and extension to existing building; conversion of existing stone byre to B1 (a) office use.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Change of use of building from B8 to B2 & B8 use, erection of additional B8 storage building and extension to existing building; conversion of existing stone byre to B1 (a) Office use.

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Removal of condition (01) of planning permission DF4833/J to allow use as permanent dwelling.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Removal of condition (01) of planning permission DF4833/J to allow use as permanent dwelling.

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Approval of Reserved Matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

Approval of reserved matters for the erection of 91 dwellings with associated infrastructure, ancillary facilities, open space and landscaping

This item was considered at the adjourned committee meeting on 10 January 2012

Erection of 15 affordable dwellings

Erection of 15 affordable dwellings

This item was withdrawn from the meeting by planning officers

Erection of 15 affordable dwellings

Erection of 15 affordable dwellings

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Referring members to the late material, Development Control Manager, Clive Reynolds, noted a correction to page 99 of the agenda and said that the parish council, whilst supporting the scheme for a site adjoining Millennium Cottages, had also expressed a preference for this application in preference to the alternative Hitchin’s (P1680/11/FUL) scheme. The Development Control Manager said that this site was unfavourable due to its awkward relationship to the adjoining built form and because of the adverse impact on the adjoining Conservation Area. He informed members that an earlier identical application at the site had been withdrawn after the applicant had become aware that the recommendation would be for refusal. He also said that, unlike the two applications that had been withdrawn at the start of the meeting, the properties for listed building consideration by English Heritage did not directly adjoin this proposal, thus allowing this application to be considered at the meeting. The recommendation remained one of refusal for the reasons outlined on page 105 of the agenda.

Public speaking

Speaking in objection to the application, the speaker said that:

‘he agreed with the planning officer’s decision to withdraw planning applications P1680/11/FUL and P2044/11/OUT to investigate the listed building status of some of the buildings at the two sites. He also agreed with the officer’s recommendation to refuse planning permission for this application. Questioning the impact of the proposals, the objector said that the proposals for this site did not reflect the wishes of the local community and had ignored historic chartist information on settlement boundaries. On the assumption that the parish council (Staunton) and the local community favoured proposals for the site adjoining Millennium Cottages, the speaker highlighted the importance of not only considering the listed building status of some of the buildings at the site but also the ecology of the area. Whilst unable to comment on the views of Corse Parish Council, the speaker requested that the committee consider the views of the local community in determining this application’.

Speaking on behalf of the Staunton Parish Council, Parish Councillor, Basil Allen, said that:

‘the parish council and a number of residents living in Staunton and Corse, objected to both the applications for Land at Chartist Way. Councillor Allen said that he would give his reasons for the objections when the application for the site adjoining Millennium Cottages, (withdrawn earlier in the meeting), was due for consideration’.

Local member, Peter Ede, said he agreed with the officer’s recommendation and approved of the stance from Staunton Parish Council in supporting the wishes of local parishioners. He could not, however, comment on the views of Corse Parish Council, as these were unknown.

Committee consideration

Councillor Philip Burford, said that he was very disappointed that the three applications for Staunton would not be considered together. He said that, from his understanding Staunton Parish Council preferred the application for land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.8

Outline application for the erection of 15 affordable dwellings and extension to existing estate road

Outline application for the erection of 15 affordable dwellings and extension to existing estate road

This item was withdrawn from the meeting by planning officers

Application for the siting of 5 additional gypsy caravans for the Buckland family and continued use of land for the storage and dispatch of timber.  (Part Retrospective)

Application for the siting of 5 additional gypsy caravans for the Buckland family and continued use of land for the storage and dispatch of timber.  (Part Retrospective)

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Responding to concerns about some of the comments that had been made by the applicant, regarding the support of the parish council and the local community, (as detailed in the late material and circulated at the adjourned meeting on 10 January 2012), Principal Planning Officer, Martin Hillier confirmed that there had been no change to the Parish Council’s comments on the application, as set out in the main agenda. The planning officer gave a brief update on the council’s position in relation to the identification and allocation of gypsy and traveller caravan pitches in the Forest of Dean. He said that, following the Gloucestershire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment in 2007, the council had been required to provide an additional 30 pitches during the period 2007 and 2012. Currently, permissions have secured 24 pitches leaving 6 pitches to be found, and would reduce further, (to just one pitch), should the committee approve the application. The planning officer said that the recommendation remained one of delegated permission, subject to clarification on the capacity of the local school and to the inclusion of an additional condition to control site levels.

Public Speaking

A planning consultant speaking on behalf of local residents:

referred to a detailed letter that had been sent to committee members prior to the meeting, outlining the concerns and objections of the local community. The speaker said that, whilst aware of the district-wide need to provide gypsy and traveller pitches, this did not warrant a strong enough basis on which to determine the application. He said that the development was contrary to development plan policies and that there was little evidence to demonstrate a need to locate gypsy and traveller sites in Blakeney.

The agent for the application said that:

‘the site was an established site and had been in the ownership of the Buckland family for over 20 years. He said that, having integrated into the community, the family had received the support of many local people in submitting their application. Referring to the concerns from the parish council, the agent said that despite such concerns, the parish council had not objected to the application, which he believed was a suitable location for the site. The agent said he did not foresee any drainage issues at the site. Furthermore, with only one child of school age living at the site, he did not consider the impact on local schools to be an issue, particularly as the one child travelled out of the district to go to school. The agent believed the application adhered to both national and local planning policy and had received the support of the local community’.

Committee consideration

Committee Chairman, Councillor Terry Glastonbury, said that local member, Councillor Brian Edwards would have liked to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.10

Change of use of land from forest waste to storage in association with existing sawmill. Erection of security fencing

Change of use of land from forest waste to storage in association with existing sawmill. Erection of security fencing

Please refer to the late material circulated before the start of the meeting

Development Control Manager, Clive Reynolds, drew member’s attention to the late material and to an additional letter of representation that had been received. He said that the officers of the council were extremely sensitive to the issue of forest waste and that this matter had been carefully considered. He said that the area concerned was in part severed from the adjoining forestland by virtue of the approved access road. He thought it was also noteworthy to mention that the sawmill in question was ultimately the type of use that could be associated with forestry land.

Public Speaking

Expressing concerns about the proposed change of use of the land, the speaker said that,

‘whilst he appreciated that the main disruption to the site was due to the new road, (for which planning permission had already been granted), he also had several concerns about the proposal. He said that,

a.      I am aware of the large body of concern regarding protection of the Statutory Forest and including Forest Waste,

b.      Forest Waste protection is vital in that it is a known fact that there is more diversity in forest fringes, which includes forest waste, than the main body of any forest,

c.      The exchange land proposed is in another part of the forest; therefore I think that preventing further loss or change in this area should be considered as vital in this application,

d.      The area in question is a further linear expansion of the sawmill site. Its enclosure, as opposed to the open access road, will create a further constriction of the access for wildlife to the forest waste from the main forest,

e.      The protection and considerations within the Core Strategy have not been mentioned and they should be forming a very material consideration in any planning decision, as any Appeal Inspector would, especially as this Council is now likely to adopt it at the 23 February meeting,

f.        As planning decisions can be lost in time then, if you agree with my concerns of further extensions being detrimental to the area, I hope that you will consider looking for some restriction to be placed on the deeds to this land.

This can be a mutual agreement between the two parties before this application is passed, based upon the planning authority policies to protect Forest Waste. A ‘reverter clause’ could be used by the Forestry Commission, such that this area is limited for storage associated with the sawmill and if at any time this business ceases then this parcel of land will revert to open forest. It will be a strong indicator to any future purchaser of the sawmill site with the intention of further development. It will be a strong indicator to any future purchaser of the sawmill site with the intention of further development. It will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.11

Erection of a two-storey side extension

Erection of a two-storey side extension

Development Control Manager, Clive Reynolds, said that this proposal was to seek an extension to a dormer bungalow. He said that a previous planning application for the site had sought to extend both sides of the property. Following negotiations, however, the previous proposal had been amended to seek an extension on one side only, (this application was subsequently approved). The Development Control Manager said that the applicant had now submitted a scheme for that element of the original proposal that had been removed from the original scheme, effectively seeking to extend on both sides of the property. He said that officers believed a change of this scale to be out of character with the existing property and contrary to the councils Design Guide. Accordingly, the recommendation was for refusal, as per the schedule of applications. Responding to a question that had been raised at the Sites Inspection Panel visit earlier that day, the Development Control Manager said that planning permission for the detached garage and workshop at the site had been granted in 2001.

Local member, (non-committee member), Councillor Ian Whitburn, said that, whilst conscious of a number of concerns from the local community, there were no significant issues with the proposals. Speaking in support of the proposal, the local member said that the development would improve the visual appearance of the property.

Committee consideration

Speaking in support of the proposal and acknowledging the local member’s viewpoint, Norman Stephens recommended that the application be approved, with the proviso of imposing a condition to remove permitted development rights to prevent the owner of the property from extending the property without prior consideration by the council.

Vote

Councillor Norman Stephens proposed that the application be granted planning permission and Councillor Paul McMahon seconded the proposal. The reasons for approving the application included; that the extension would have no detrimental impact on the visual appearance of the property and that; on balance, would create a more uniformed outlook. Councillor Stephens requested that a condition relating to permitted development rights be imposed, in addition to any other conditions that might be considered appropriate by planning officers. A recorded vote was taken and members,

RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to appropriate conditions, including the removal of permitted development rights

For (8)

Councillors James Bevan, Gethyn Davies, Frankie Evans, Val Hobman, Jane Horne, Paul McMahon, Norman Stephens and Arthur Thomas

Against (3) Councillors Terry Glastonbury, Philip Burford and Gabriella Kirkpatrick

Abstentions (1) Councillor Jackie Fraser

a)     To confirm that the next sites’ inspection panel will be held on Tuesday 17 January 2012

b)     To consider any new applications put forward by members or by the Group Manager for Planning and Housing. These sites will be in addition to any which may be identified during the meeting.

This item was considered at the committee meeting on 10 January 2012. (This meeting was adjourned by the Chairman of the Committee and suspended until 17 January 2012).

The following site inspections were agreed at the adjourned committee meeting held on 10 January 2012 and visited on the morning prior to the meeting. The next sites inspection to take place on Tuesday 20 March 2012.

To update the committee on the performance of the planning team in determining planning applications. Please refer to report PH.100

Development Control Manager, Clive Reynolds, presented report PH.100, detailing the performance of the planning applications team in determining planning applications in response to national and local targets. He said that, in general terms, the team’s performance had remained at a high level and was above national targets. Noting a request from members to include information on the workload for the team, the Development Control Manager said that the figures on page 151 of the agenda reflected the total number of cases that had been considered and not just those recorded in the nationally required statistics that are reported quarterly. He said that it was noteworthy to report that the number of approved applications had risen from 76 per cent in 2005/6 to 87 per cent in 2010/11.

The committee noted the report and praised the planning team for the speed in which the applications had been determined and the good work that had been undertaken.

To consider, and if so agree, to resolve, that under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the said act, and that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved that, under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public to be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the said act, and that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2011

The non-exempt minutes of the meeting on 13 December 2011 were approved as a true record of that meeting

An additional planning committee meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Tuesday 31 January 2012 to consider two major planning applications in Cinderford.

The next planned committee meeting will be held on 14 February 2012.

The Chairman announced that an additional committee meeting would be held at 2.00pm on Tuesday 31 January 2012 to consider two major planning applications in Cinderford.

The next scheduled committee meeting to be held on Tuesday 14 February 2012