Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Application 23/00290/FUL – Northwick Road Allotments, Marion Close

(Minute No. 20)

Councillor Cleary – As allotment holder and Deputy Site Representative but had not been involved in the preparation or submission of the application.  Councillor Cleary elected to speak and vote on the item.

Councillor Allcott – Had spoken with the Allotment Officer following concerns raised by allotment holders and had as Ward Member supported improvements to the site as part of the Section 106 agreement money allocations but had not been involved in the preparation or submission  of the application.  Councillor Allcott elected to speak and vote in the item.

Both Councillors had not predetermined the application and came to the meeting with an open mind.

Of the meeting held on 22^nd June 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd June 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Such inspections of current application sites as may have been recommended by Officers and as may be approved by the Committee.

Members of the Committee should inform the Service Manager - Development Management of any requests for site visits by 5.00 p.m. on the Monday 17^th July 2023 and reasons for the request.

Site visits will be conducted in accordance with the procedure attached which forms part of the Council’s Good Practice Protocol for Members and Officers dealing with Planning Matters.

The Committee had visited the following site which was the subject of an application to be determined, prior to the commencement of the meeting:

Application 22/01078/FUL – Perdiswell House, Droitwich Road

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 10.

None.

Members of the public will be allowed to address the Committee in respect of applications to be considered by the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 11. Members of the public will address the Committee during the Committee’s consideration of the respective item.

Those representations made are recorded at the minute to which they relate.

That the Committee note the contents of the 2023 Heritage at Risk Register and approve it for publication.

The Committee considered the Heritage at Risk in Worcester update and review report.  The Register for 2023 was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

An updated Heritage at Risk Register was approved for publication by Planning Committee on 28^th July 2022 and since that time officers have monitored progress and reviewed other assets for potential inclusion in the Register.  No assets have been removed from or added to the Register, but the Priority of 8 has been downgraded.

The Conservation Officer presented the report, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation and highlighted the key points.  He responded to questions from Members in particular relating to HAR 18, 79-83 St Johns and the need for this to be resolved and the reassurance that the Cordle’s shop front is stored securely.  Also, clarity on the condition of HAR 18 St Cuthbert’s Chapel was requested.  The Conservation Officer agreed to follow up and report back to the individual Members.

A request was made for the Register to include What3words to identify each site’s location.  The Conservation Officer in response preferred to use the National Grid Reference and proposed to add them in before the Register was published.

Reference was made to the Property Enhancement Grant Scheme and whether this could be extended for those properties in other parts of the city e.g. Lowesmoor.  The Conservation Officer agreed to defer to colleagues in Economic Development.

The Service Manager – Development Management in response to a question on resources available following the departure of the Planning Enforcement Officer, reassured Members that an interim Enforcement Officer had been appointed before he left, so the level of resource is the same.  He hoped that Members would not see a deterioration in the level of service and stated that the recruitment to that post is seen as a priority.

It is proposed to continue to monitor all entries on the Heritage at Risk Register quarterly, update actions, and update the register on a yearly basis.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the contents of the 2023 Heritage at Risk Register and approve it for publication with the addition of National Grid References.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee delegates authority to the Corporate Director - Planning and Governance to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in Section 9 of the report and the applicant and all parties with an interest in the land entering into a S106 legal agreement to the satisfaction of the Corporate Director in accordance with the Heads of Terms.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of the Perdiswell Harvester Restaurant and redevelopment of a 76-bedroom C2 care home, with amenity gardens, boundary treatments, car parking, revised access from Droitwich Road and servicing at Perdiswell House, Droitwich Road.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee as it is outside the scope of the adopted Scheme of Delegation as a Major Development and has been called by Councillor Allcott.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the site itself, relevant policies, planning history and representations and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to typographical errors in respect of the report recommendation and paragraphs 8.13 and 9.10 of the officers report.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation.

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that the application is a resubmission of refused planning application 22/00159/FUL, which was refused by the Committee in July 2022.  The two reasons for refusal were set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

This application sought to respond to and address the concerns raised by Members previously and details of the resubmission proposals were set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report.

Public Representations

The following person had registered to speak on the application:

Eleanor Lovett – Agent for the Applicant

Key Points of Debate

·         The agent for the applicant, in addressing the Committee, confirmed that the application was a resubmission of the application refused by Planning Committee last year.  The revised proposals respond to the concerns raised, a summary of which were provided for Members, which included a reduction in the built form and an increase in outdoor space.  Reference was made to the financial contributions towards the provision of Active Travel facilities and a contribution towards Community transport.  Additional technical information had also been provided relating to landscaping enhancements.

·         The agent for the applicant responded to questions and points of clarification from Committee Members relating to EVPs and cycle storage provision; 25% net biodiversity gain and how the figure was reached; suitability of the amenity space for a care home environment; percentage increase in outdoor amenity space; request for the increase in 10% energy requirements and suitability of the design for the site.

·         Clarification was requested on the S106 agreement and whether the contributions were dependent on room take up or the completion of the build.  The Service Manager – Development Management referred Committee Members to the draft Heads of Terms (Section 106) and confirmed that highways contributions were before completion and the NHS contribution was after.

·         In terms of the biodiversity net gain, the Service Manager – Development Management explained that the Council’s Landscape and Biodiversity Adviser was satisfied with the improvements made.

·         Reference was made to paragraph 7.20 of the report and the primary healthcare provision and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grants planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended) subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the proposed erection of replacement fencing and gates at different access points of the existing Northwick Road allotments, Marion Close.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee as the applicant is Worcester City Council.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the site itself, relevant policies, planning history and representation and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to the amendment of condition 3.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation.

The Planning Officer reported that two objections had been received and referred Committee Members to paragraph 7.5 of the report which addressed the concerns that had been raised.

Officers responded to questions from Committee Members.

Public Representations

There had been no one registered to speak on the application.

Committee Members welcomed the proposals and thanked officers for their time.

A proposal to approve the application was made and this was seconded.  There being no further points made the Legal Team Manager requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who was eligible to vote.  Following the recording of the votes the proposal to approve was agreed as follows.

For - 10

Against - 0

Abstentions - 0

RESOLVED: That the Committee grants planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3  of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended), subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report and to the amendment of condition 3 as set out in the late paper.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grants planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended) subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the proposed erection of replacement fence and vehicle gate on the southern perimeter and entrance at Midland Road and the erection of concrete posts and fence on the northern perimeter adjacent to Byfield Rise at Hillborough allotments, Stanley Road.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee as the applicant is Worcester City Council.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the site itself, relevant policies, planning history and representation and consultations where applicable.

There were no late papers circulated.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation.  Officers responded to questions and points of clarification from Committee Members.

Public Representations

There had been no one registered to speak on the application.

Committee Members welcomed the proposals.

A proposal to approve the application was made and this was seconded.  There being no further points made the Legal Team Manager requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who was eligible to vote.  Following the recording of the votes the proposal to approve was agreed as follows.

For - 10

Against - 0

Abstentions - 0

RESOLVED: That the Committee grants planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended), subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

To agree arrangements for the annual site inspection of a sample of implemented planning decisions for all Councillors.

The Committee received a report to agree the arrangements for the annual site inspection of a sample of implemented planning decisions for all Councillors.

Section 13 of the ‘Good Practice Protocol for Councillors and Employees Dealing with Planning Matters’ (Part 12 of the Council’s Constitution) recommends that Councillors visit a sample of sites where planning permissions have been implemented in order to assess the quality of those decisions and outcomes on the ground. 

Previously organised site visits have focused on a cross-section of development types. All Councillors will be encouraged to take this opportunity to view the selection of implemented developments across the city.

The recommended site visits by officers were highlighted at paragraph 3.2 of the report and it was proposed that a maximum of six sites would be visited to make the inspections manageable on the day.  Members were encouraged to suggest other sites for inclusion and to let the Service Manager – Development Management know by Friday 18^th August 2023.

Committee Members were informed that the suggested date and time for the site visits was Thursday 14^th September 2023 commencing at 10.00am, subject to the availability of transport and the availability of Members.

The final list of sites and itinerary to be agreed with the Chair and Vice Chair and circulated to all Members.

Several suggested sites were put forward by Members, namely Rose Bank, and Wilks Close, which the Service Manager - Development Management agreed to look at.

The Service Manager – Development Management responded to questions and points of clarification from Committee Members.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree the recommended site visits and to the suggested date and time of Thursday 14^th September 2023 commencing at 10.00am.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.