128.1  Apologies were received from Councillor Sue Ayres and Councillor Margaret Maybury.

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

129.1  There were no declarations of interest declared.

It was RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2022 were confirmed and signed as a true record.

131.1  None received.

In addition to any site inspections which the Committee may consider to be necessary, the Acting Chief Planning Officer will report on any other applications which require site inspections.

132.1  The Case Officer presented Members with a request for a site visit regarding application number DC/20/03083, Erwarton Hall Farm Yard, The Street, Erwarton, providing Members with details of the proposal including: the location and layout of the site, and the reason for the site visit.

132.2  The Chief Planning Officer and the Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the reason for the site inspection request, any amendments to the application since the previous site inspection request, the proposed access to the site, and the layout of the site.

132.3  Members considered the representation from Councillor Davis who spoke as the Ward Member.

132.4  Members debated the site visit request on issues including: the heritage aspects of the site.

132.5  Councillor Owen proposed that a site visit be undertaken.

132.6  Councillor Beer seconded the proposal.

By a vote of 8 votes for and 1 against

It was RESOLVED:

That a site visit be undertaken in respect of application number DC/20/03083.

An Addendum to Paper PL/21/31 will be circulated to Members prior to the commencement of the meeting summarising additional correspondence received since the publication of the agenda but before 12 noon on the working day before the meeting, together with any errata.

In accordance with the Council’s arrangements for Public Speaking at Planning Committee, representations were made as detailed below relating to the items in Paper PL/21/31 and the speakers responded to questions put to them as provided for under those arrangements.

It was RESOLVED

That subject to the imposition of conditions or reasons for refusal (whether additional or otherwise) in accordance with delegated powers under Council Minute No. 48(a) (dated 19 October 2004) decisions on the items referred to in Paper PL/21/31 be made as follows:-

134.1  Item 6A

          Application              DC/20/03116

Proposal                  Planning Application – Erection of new workshop building with the existing access to the site from the A1141 upgraded.

Site Location           COCKFIELD – Land to the East of, Sudbury Road, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 0LN

          Applicant                 Firstgrade Recycling Systems Limited

134.2  The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the previous planning applications at the site, the location and layout of the site, proposed access to the site, the proposed    drainage design and landscaping plans, and the officer recommendation of refusal as detailed in the tables papers.

134.3  The Case Officer and the Chief Planning Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the response received from Suffolk County Council Highways, the suitability of the location for a business, alternative sites in the area, the reasons for the change in recommendation since the application was previously presented to Committee, and the previous decision made by Committee and the outcomes of the subsequent judicial review.

134.4  Members considered the representation from Ian Levett who spoke on behalf of Cockfield Parish Council.

134.5  The Parish Council representative responded to questions from Members on issues including: any consultation between the Applicant and the Parish Council, and the hours of operation at the site.

134.6  The Area Planning Manager responded to questions from Members on issues including: the action which could be taken if planning conditions were breached at an application site.

134.7  Members considered the representation from Steven Hopkins who spoke on behalf of the Objector.

134.8  The Planning Lawyer and the Objector responded to questions from Members on issues including: the outcome of the judicial review of the application previously presented to Committee, and the application of Planning Policies.

134.9  Members considered the representation from Alan Valentine who spoke as the Applicant.

134.10 The Applicant responded to questions from Members on issues including: any alternative sites considered, the plans in place for the existing operating site, the reason for the lack of consultation with the Parish Council, whether any pre-application planning advice had been sought, the design and appearance of the properties, any proposed plans for highway improvements, the potential increase in the number of vehicle movements at the site, the operating hours of the site, and the planned timescale for works to commence should planning permission be approved.

134.11 A break was taken from 10:55am until 11:14am.

134.12 Members considered the representation from Councillor Arthey who spoke as the Ward Member.

134.13 The Ward Member responded to questions from Members on issues including: how long the location had been in employment or industrial use.

134.14 The Case Officer provided clarification to Members regarding the location of the machinery storage area and the red line plan shown in the presentation.

134.15 The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: whether the location shown would be considered as agricultural land or open countryside.

134.16 Members debated the application on issues including: the principle of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.