Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 20th July 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel of 5^th July 2023 and 2^nd August 2023 be received.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel be received.

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 Monday 21^st August 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.

None.

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.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grant planning permission, subject to the conditions as set out in Section 8 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for a proposed teaching building (Use Class F1(A), including landscaping, lighting, drainage and associated works on land at the University of Worcester Severn Campus, Hylton Road.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee in accordance with the adopted Scheme of Delegation.

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 an additional condition (condition 13) for obscure glazing to protect the amenities of adjoining/nearby properties.

Officer Presentation

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

Public Representations

The following person had registered to speak on the application:

Chris Dodds – Agent for the Applicant

Key Points of Debate

·        The agent for the applicant, in addressing the Committee outlined details of the proposal.  It was highlighted that the infrastructure relating to the wider Severn Campus, including the cricket centre, parking and improved access including improvements to flood emergency procedures, cycling and pedestrian routes, and additional green infrastructure, drainage and lighting has now been implemented.

·        He confirmed that all technical planning matters will be dealt with by discharge of conditions.  A hard and soft landscaping scheme to be submitted together with a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

·        The agent for the applicant responded to questions and points of clarification from Committee Members relating to ecological enhancements, biodiversity and landscaping.  A request was made for an increase in bird boxes, increase in landscaping and more benches throughout the site.  The agent for the applicant was happy to take these on board. 

·        Committee Members in referring to the management of gulls on the roof of the building nearby, as highlighted in condition 8, stated that this needed to be tie down exactly what was proposed.  The Service Manager – Development Management said he would liaise with the Gull Officer to ensure that the condition is robust enough.

·        Reference was made to condition 4 – Construction Environmental Management Plan. It was asked if this could be tightened up so all site operatives park on site and not on the outer roads, and loading and unloading on site only and not on outer roads.  The Service Manager – Development Management stated that details are yet to be submitted but will pass on the concerns raised.

·        In referring to the history of the site there were concerns that there were no archaeological conditions.  The Service Manager – Development Management stated that a Written Scheme of Investigation was submitted for the whole of the site but can, if the Committee want reassurance, add an extra condition to tie in with previous permission and archaeology.  This was welcomed by Members.

·        A request was made to amend the condition to request more bird boxes than already suggested.  The Service Manager – Development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grant planning permission, subject to the conditions as set out in section 8 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a new dwelling with new vehicular access on land adjoining 187 Drake Avenue.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Lamb for the reasons set out in paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3 of the report.

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 the amendment of condition 5, to include reference to percolation testing and an additional condition (condition 9) requesting details of refuse and cycle parking.

Officer Presentation

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

The Committee’s attention was drawn to paragraph 4.1 of the report which related to the extant planning permission of the site which does not expire until February 2024. 

This application was a re-submission of the approved application 20/00637/FUL and from a highways point of view there are no changes to the proposed access and parking arrangements, therefore no objections, subject to conditions.  There had also been no material changes to national or local planning policy.

The Senior Planning Officer in referring to the concerns of the local Ward Member, stated that these had now been addressed.  It was also stated that the conditions attached to the extant planning permission had since been improved.

Public Representations

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

Key Points of Debate

·        Some Committee Members felt that this was a large development for such a small site and raised concerns over the building in gardens, which would result in the loss of open space.  It was also commented that parking was an issue for the area.

·        The Service Manager – Development Management reminded Committee Members that nothing had changed since the previous planning permission.  He stated that garden was large enough for the existing and proposed dwelling and that a reasonable amount of amenity area for both properties would remain at the front and the rear.  He stressed that the planning history is a significant material consideration.

·        Clarification was provided on the 2m gap between the host property and the proposed dwelling as referred to in paragraph 6.8 of the report.  Also details of tree/hedge planting were provided.

·        Committee Members raised concerns that the previous application had not come before the committee but noted that there had been no objections and had not been called in by a Member therefore it was a delegated decision.  Members agreed that because of the previous delegated decision, their decision of this application was a difficult one, although further conditions could be added if appropriate.

·        The Head of Planning referred Committee Members to paragraph 3.1 of the report which provided the framework in which they needed to work towards when giving weight  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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

None.