Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Frink Room (Elisabeth) - Endeavour House. View directions

Contact: Committee Services 

Items
No. Item

13.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE/SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

None received.

14.

TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST BY MEMBERS

Minutes:

Councillor Mike Norris declared a non-pecuniary interest in application DC/18/05313 as he knew the Chair of Offton and Willisham Parish Council.

 

 

 

 

15.

DECLARATIONS OF LOBBYING

Minutes:

All Members declared that they had been lobbied on applications DC/18/03114 and DC/18/05313.

16.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL SITE VISITS

Minutes:

Councillor John Matthissen declared that he had undertaken personal site visits on applications DC/18/03114 and DC/18/05313.

17.

SA/18/3 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 JUNE 2019 pdf icon PDF 275 KB

Minutes:

It was resolved that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June were confirmed and signed as a true record.

18.

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME

Minutes:

The Governance Officer advised Members that a petition had been received in respect of application DC/18/03114 with 164 valid signatures supporting the following statement:

 

·       We believe that if the proposed Hopkins development on land opposite Main Road (DC/18/03114 & DC/18/03115) were to proceed it would create unacceptable harm and unresolvable risks to road users and pedestrians, particularly at the Mill Lane, Street Farm corner and therefore should not proceed.

19.

SA/18/4 SCHEDULE OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Note: The Chairman may change the listed order of items to accommodate visiting Ward Members and members of the public.

 

Minutes:

  In accordance with the Council’s procedure for public speaking on planning applications a representation was made as detailed below:

 

Schedule of Applications:

 

Application Number

Representations From

DC/18/03114

James Caston (Somersham Parish Council)

Andrew Laughlin (Objector)

Chris Smith (Applicant)

Cllr John Field (Ward Member)

DC/18/05313

Sheona Warnes (Offton and Willisham Parish Council)

Kelvin Moody (Objector)

Guy Osborne (Agent)

Cllr Daniel Pratt (Ward Member)

DC/19/01310

James Hayward (Thorndon Parish Council)

Paul Scarlett (Applicant)

Cllr Andrew Stringer (Ward Member)

DC/17/02782

Derrick Haley (Thurston Parish Council)

Phil Cobbold (Agent)

Cllr Harry Richardson (Ward Member)

DC/19/01604

Phil Cobbold (Agent)

Cllr Penny Otton (Ward Member)

 

19.1 The items of business were taken in the order as follows as set out by the Chair at the beginning of the meeting:

 

1.     DC/18/03114

2.     DC/18/05313

3.     DC/19/01604

4.     DC/19/01310

5.     DC/17/02782

 

 

 

20.

DC/18/03114 LAND SOUTH WEST OF, MAIN ROAD, SOMERSHAM, SUFFOLK pdf icon PDF 539 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

20.1 Item A

 

Application          DC/18/03114                                 

Proposal             Planning Application – Residential development of 42 dwellings, together with associated public open space, access roads, garaging and car parking.        

Site Location       SOMERSHAM- Land South West of, Main Road, Somersham, Suffolk

Applicant             Hopkins and Moore (Developments) Limited

 

 

20.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the contents of the tabled papers, and the officer recommendation of approval with two additional conditions as follows:

 

1.     Phasing condition

2.     Ecology condition – hedgehog fencing.

 

20.3 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the proposed offsite improvement for the public right of way, the history of the site, the road traffic incidents that had taken place in the area and that one had been incorrectly mapped, and the response from Suffolk County Council as the Floods Authority.

 

20.4 Members considered the representation from James Caston of Somersham Parish Council who spoke against the application. James Caston clarified before his speech that he was speaking as a Parish Councillor only and not in his role as a District Councillor.

 

20.5 Members considered the representation from Andrew Laughlin who spoke as an Objector.

 

20.6 The Objector responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the site, location and date of the road accident that had taken place in 2016, the pinch point in the road and the danger associated with it.

 

20.7 Members considered the representation from Chris Smith who spoke as the Applicant.

 

20.8 Members considered the representation from Councillor John Field who spoke as the Ward Member.

 

20.9  The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: that the site was in the draft Joint Local Plan.

 

20.10 Members debated the application on the issues including: the petition regarding the development, the two road traffic accidents that had taken place in the area, that the highways concern associated with the narrowing road was a pre-existing issue, and the economic benefits of the proposal.

 

20.11 The Area Planning Manager advised Members that the Floods team at Suffolk County Council were satisfied, and that there were a limited number of options that could be undertaken regarding the pinch point, and that as the village had services either side of the pinch point Officers felt that this couldn’t be successfully defended at appeal as a reason for refusal.

 

20.12 Members continued to debate the application on the issues including: that the site fitted in with the settlement boundary, and the safety aspect of walking through the village.

 

20.13 Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation and the additional conditions as detailed by the Case Officer. A seconder was not found.

 

20.14 Councillor John Matthissen proposed that the application be deferred for the following reasons:

 

·       Members have requested that officers ask SCC Highways to confirm that an accident in 2016 not recorded on Crashmap web site has been taken into account or otherwise does not change their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

DC/18/05313 LAND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF BILDESTON ROAD, OFFTON pdf icon PDF 550 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

21.1 A short comfort break was taken between 11:07-11:15 after the completion of application DC/18/03114 but before the commencement of DC/18/05313

 

21.2 Item B

 

Application          DC/18/05313                                 

Proposal             Outline Planning Application (Access and layout to be considered) Erection of 32 No. dwellings comprising 9 Local Need Homes, 2 Affordable Homes, 21 Open Market Homes and public reading room. Creation of new accesses to Bildeston Road and Castle Road, 9 parish allotments and a community car park.       

Site Location       OFFTON – Land on the South side of Bildeston Road, Offton

Applicant             Mr and Mrs Stephen Philips

 

 

21.3 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the tabled papers before Members, and the officer recommendation of refusal.

 

21.4 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the disabled access on the proposed footbridge.

 

21.5 Members considered the representation from Sheona Warnes of Offton and Willisham Parish Council.

 

21.6 The Parish Council representative responded to Members’ questions on issues including: affordable housing surveys being conducted in the area.

 

21.7 Members considered the representation from Kelvin Moody who spoke as an Objector.

 

21.8 Members considered the representation from Guy Osborne who spoke as the Agent.

 

21.9 The Agent responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the proposed grazing land, and the proposed access on Castle Road, the width of the bridge, and the agricultural land classification.

 

21.10 Members considered the representation from Councillor Daniel Pratt who spoke as the Ward Member.

 

21.11 A short adjournment was taken to seek legal advice from the Planning Lawyer.

 

21.12 The Area Planning Manager and Planning Lawyer advised Members that it had become apparent that to decide the application in light of the resolution regarding DC/18/03114 would prejudice any decision made on that application as the same piece of road, specifically the pinch point, would be travelled through from both sites. As such the officer recommendation was updated as follows:

 

·       Members agree to defer this item given the decision to defer item 7A.  This site is located near the same road and to grant or refuse this application could be considered to be prejudicial to considerations of that application in highway terms. 

·      Officers would also take the opportunity to consider further accessibility issues raised in relation to the merits of this application

 

21.13 Councillor Kathie Guthrie proposed that the application be deferred as detailed in the updated officer recommendation. Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE seconded the motion.

 

21.14 By a unanimous vote.

 

21.15 RESOLVED

 

Members agreed with officer recommendation to defer this item given the decision to defer item 7A.  This site is located near the same road and to grant or refuse this application could be considered to be prejudicial to considerations of that application in highway terms. 

 

Officers would also take the opportunity to consider further accessibility issues raised in relation to the merits of this application.   

 

22.

DC/19/01604 LAND ADJACENT BT EXCHANGE, RISING SUN HILL, RATTLESDEN, SUFFOLK, IP30 0RL pdf icon PDF 370 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

22.1 Item E

 

Application          DC/19/01604                                 

Proposal             Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered) – Erection of 1no. dwelling and garage.

Site Location       RATTLESDEN – Land Adjacent BT Exchange, Rising Sun Hill, Rattlesden, Suffolk, IP30 0RL

Applicant             Dover Farm Developments Ltd

 

 

22.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, the relevant history of the site, and the officer recommendation of approval.

 

22.3 Members considered the representation from Philip Cobbold who spoke as the Agent.

 

22.4 Members considered the representation from Councillor Penny Otton who spoke as the Ward Member.

 

22.5 Members debated the application on the issues including: the impact on the residential amenity.

 

22.6 Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation.

 

22.7 Councillor John Matthissen seconded the motion.

 

22.8 By 4 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions

 

22.9 RESOLVED

 

Recommendation is to approve the application with the following conditions:

 

Time limit for reserved matters application.

All Conditions as recommend by the Highways Officer.

All conditions recommended by the Ecology officer regarding mitigation and enhancement.

Restrict the height of the proposal to 1- 1.5 storey dwelling only.

23.

DC/19/01310 LAND ADJACENT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S HOUSE, STOKE ROAD, THORNDON, EYE, SUFFOLK, IP23 7JG pdf icon PDF 413 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

23.1 Item C

 

Application          DC/19/01310                                 

Proposal             Outline Planning Application (Includes access, all other matters reserved) – Erection of 20no. dwellings and access (following demolition of existing buildings).          

Site Location       THORNDON- Land Adjacent to the Principal’s House Stoke Road, Thorndon, Eye, Suffolk, IP23 7JG

Applicant             The Kerrison Trust

 

23.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site and the officer recommendation of approval with conditions.

 

23.3 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the accessibility of local services, the location of the proposed pumping station, the current status of the neighbourhood plan, and the height of the proposed buildings.

 

23.4 Members considered the representation from James Hayward of Thorndon Parish Council.

 

23.5 The Parish Council representative responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the amount of traffic when the venue was conference centre and what was proposed under the application, and the frequency of busses in the area.

 

23.6 Members considered the representation from Paul Scarlett who spoke as the Applicant.

 

23.7 The Applicant responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the height of the proposed houses.

 

23.8 Members considered the representation from Councillor Andrew Stringer who spoke as the Ward Member.

 

23.9 The Area Planning Manager advised Members that the recommendation included 35% Affordable Housing provision, but that the council could not stipulate further on the detail on the open market housing with regards to the number of bedrooms in a property.

 

23.10 Members debated the application on the issues including: the frequency of busses in the area, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that would have to be paid for the development and the route to the main services.

 

23.11 Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation. Councillor Harry Richardson seconded the motion.

 

23.12 By 6 votes to 0 with 1 abstention.

 

23.13 RESOLVED

 

That authority be delegated to the Acting Chief Planning Officer to grant outline planning permission:

 

(1)  Subject to the prior agreement of a Section 106 Planning Obligation on appropriate terms to the satisfaction of the Acting Chief Planning Officer to secure:

 

· Affordable housing

 

Affordable Rent = 5

4 x 1 bedroom 2 person flats @ 50sqm

1 x 2 bedroom 4 person house @ 79sqm

Shared Ownership = 2

1 x 2 bedroom 4 person house @ 79sqm

1 x 3 bedroom 5 person house @ 93sqm

 

· £14,400 for the provision of secondary school transport to Hartismere School only, on first occupation. (

 

2) That the Acting Chief Planning Officer be authorised to grant Planning Permission upon completion of the legal agreement subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Acting Chief Planning Officer:

 

· Standard time limit

· Reserved matters

· Approved Plans (Plans submitted that form this application)

· Phasing Condition (To allow phasing of the development and allows spreading of payments under CIL)

· Restriction to up to two storey height

· Removal of PD for loft conversions and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

DC/17/02782 LAND OFF CHURCH ROAD, ACCESS VIA GARDEN OF "THE FIRS", THURSTON pdf icon PDF 413 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

24.1 Item D

 

Application          DC/17/02782                                 

Proposal             Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered) – Erection of 15 dwellings (including 5 affordable bungalows)

Site Location       THURSTON – Land off Church Road, Access via garden of “The Firs”, Thurston

Applicant             Honeycroft Properties Ltd

 

24.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, and the officer recommendation of approval with conditions.

 

24.3 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the site, and its significance in the draft Neighbourhood Plan, and the trees that were proposed to be removed to create the access to the site.

 

24.4 Members considered the representation from Derrick Haley of Thurston Parish Council.

 

24.5 The Parish Council representative responded to Members’ questions on issues including: that there were no allocated sites within the draft Neighbourhood Plan.

 

24.6 Members considered the representation from Philip Cobbold who spoke as the Agent.

 

24.7 The Agent responded to Members’ questions on issues including: whether they had engaged with the Parish Council.

 

24.8 Members considered the representation from Councillor Harry Richardson who spoke as the Ward Member.

 

24.9 The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: that there were bungalows adjacent to the site.

 

24.10 The Chair read out an email from Councillor Wendy Turner, Ward Member, who was unable to attend the meeting.

 

24.11 The Area Planning Manager advised Members that although the access to the site was within a flood zone, there was an emergency route out of the site.

 

24.12 Members debated the application on the issues including: the access to the site, the proposed improvements to the footpath under the railway bridge, the distance to the local amenities in the village, the possible flood risk, the impact on residential amenity, and that any trees removed from the site should be replaced.

 

 

24.13 Councillor Kathie Guthrie proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation with the additional conditions as follows:

 

·       Flood evacuation plan to be agreed by the Local Planning Authority

·       Any development within 20metres of the east site boundary shall be single storey only.

·       Replacement trees shall be the same type and semi mature.

 

24.14 Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE seconded the motion.

 

24.15 By 5 votes to 1

 

24.16 RESOLVED

 

That authority be delegated to the Acting Chief Planning Officer to grant outline planning permission:

 

(1)  Subject to the prior agreement of a Section 106 Planning Obligation on appropriate terms to the satisfaction of the Acting Chief Planning Officer to secure:

 

· Affordable Housing –

 

2 x 2-bed (Affordable Rent), 3 x 2-bed (Shared Ownership).

· Primary school S106 contribution: £72,776

· Early years S106 contribution: £31,966

 

(2)  That the Acting Chief Planning Officer be authorised to grant Planning Permission upon completion of the legal agreement subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Acting Chief Planning Officer:

 

· Approved Plan showing indicative layout and access

· Reserved Matters · Visibility splays as SCC Highways recommend · Footway (including under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

SITE INSPECTION

Note: Should a site inspection be required for any of the applications this will be decided at the meeting.

 

Would Members please retain the relevant papers for use at that meeting.

 

Minutes:

25.1 None requested.