32.      There were no apologies for absence.

33.1    Councillor Hicks declared an other registerable interest in respect of application number DC/22/03464  due to having involvement with the site in his role as a Suffolk County Councillor. However, the item under discussion did not directly relate to the finances or wellbeing of that interest or affect the finances or wellbeing of that interest to a greater extent than the majority of inhabitants. Therefore, Councillor Hicks was not prevented from participating in the debate and vote in respect of this application. 

34.1    Councillor Matthissen declared that he had been lobbied in respect of application number DC/21/06158 and confirmed that as a Ward Member he would not be participating in the debate or vote for this item.

35.1    None declared.

It was RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2022 were confirmed and signed as a true record.

It was RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2022 were confirmed and signed as a true record.

38.1    None received.

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

39.1    In accordance with the Councils procedures for public speaking on planning applications, representations were made as follows:

40.1    Application              DC/22/03464

Proposal                  Application for Approval of Reserved Matters following grant of Outline planning permission reference DC/21/00407:

“Hybrid Application for the phased employment-led redevelopment of Land at Mill Lane, Stowmarket (Gateway 14) including:

Full Planning for site enabling works phase comprising, ground remodelling, utility diversions, installation of framework landscaping, creation of new footpath links, installation of primary substation, highways works including stopping up of Mill Lane, new all modes link from theA1120 Cedars Link to Mill Lane, new footway cycleway over the existing A1120 overbridge, installation of toucan crossing on the A1120 Cedars Link, footpath connection to the Gipping Valley Way, foul and surface water drainage infrastructure, outfalls and associated works;

Outline Planning Permission (all matters reserved, except for access) for the erection of buildings comprising employment and commercial use, open space and landscaping, car and cycle parking, highway works, and other associated works (additional plans, documents and EIA information received 08/04/2021) and subsequent ES addendum letter received 17th June2021.

”Submission of Details for Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale for Plot 4000including updated Environmental Statement July 2022.

Site Location           STOWMARKET – Gateway 14, Land Between The A1120 and A14, Stowmarket, Suffolk

Applicant                 Gateway 14 Limited

40.2    The Case Officer introduced the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the use of the land, the employment opportunities provided by the proposal, the site connectivity, parking and electric vehicle charging point plans, the proposed plans for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) parking, access points to the site, the proposed traffic management plan, the height of proposed building, the proposed floors plans, the external materials to be used, the proposed features of the development, the location of external plant, the proposed landscaping plans, and the officer recommendation of approval.

40.3    The Chief Planning Officer and the Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: how the  delivery of the site be administered, whether there would there be any compromise on the quality of the ground water resources, the electric vehicle parking provision, the timescale for delivery of the landscaping plan, the emergency access to the site, whether the external appearance of the building had been considered from every angle, the proposed lighting strategy, the proposed plan for cycle parking, the traffic management conditions and how these could be enforced, the solar panel provision, the sustainable energy plans, and the access to the site from Mill Lane.

40.4    Members considered the representation from Hannah Walker who spoke as the Agent.

40.5    The Agent, the Managing Director of Gateway 14, Emily Atack, and the Director of Frank Shaw Architects, David Willis responded to questions from Members on  issues including: the provision of parking and charging points for electric vehicles and any future provision for refuelling of HGV’s using hydrogen, cycle parking for visitors, whether the feasibility of ground source heat pumps was considered, the sustainable energy plans, and the proposed  lighting plans.

40.6    Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Carter,  who spoke against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

41.1     Application              DC/21/05923

Proposal                  Application for approval of Reserved Matters following Outline Planning Permission 3858/16, Erection of up to 42 No dwellings, supporting infrastructure and new vehicular access (highway and pedestrian) submission of details for Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale for Erection of 41No dwellings (including 14 affordable).

Site Location           RICKINGHALL SUPERIOR – Land Adjacent Greenacres, Gardenhouse Lane, Rickinghall Superior, Diss, Suffolk, IP22 1EA

Applicant                 Ruby Homes (East Anglia) Ltd

41.2     A break was taken from 11:11am until 11:20pm after application number DC/22/03463 and before the commencement of application of DC/21/05923.

41.3    The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the location and layout of the site, the allocation of the site within the Rickinghall Neighbourhood Plan, proposed heating systems, the landscaping scheme, the proposed housing mix, the proposed parking provision, connectivity plans and footpath improvements, the public open space provision, and the officer recommendation of approval as detailed in the committee report and tabled papers.

41.4    The Case Officer and the Area Planning Manager responded to questions from Members on issues including: whether the roads would be adopted by Suffolk County Council, the CIL contribution, which of the sustainability measures would be put in place, the future management plans for the public open space and play area, the number of triple parking spaces, the number of dwellings which would have electric vehicle charging points, the timescales for the landscaping, whether the comments from place services regarding landscaping had been addressed, and the construction management plan.

41.5    Members considered the representation from Martin Last who spoke as the Agent.

41.6    The Agent responded to questions from Members on issues including: the sustainability issues, whether consideration could be given to the bungalows being compliant with M4(2) and M4(3) building regulations, whether the roads would be to an adoptable standard and be adopted by Suffolk County Council, and whether the liaison with the Parish Council would be ongoing.

41.7    The Chair read out a statement from the Ward Member, Councillor Fleming, who was unable to attend the meeting.

41.8    The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the proposed parking provision and construction management plan, and the density of the  site.

41.9    Members debated the application on issues including: the amendments made to the proposal to address the issues raised by the Parish Council.

41.10  Councillor Passmore proposed that the application be approved.

41.11  Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the Rickinghall Neighbourhood Plan, the liaison between the applicant and the local community, and the conditions relating to the sustainability measures.

41.12  Councillor Eburne seconded the proposal and requested that an informative was added regarding the construction management plan. The was accepted by Councillor Passmore.

41.13  Members further debated the application on issues including the proposed sustainability measures.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:

That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to approve the reserved matters subject to the following conditions as summarised below (unless details  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

42.1    Application              DC/22/03006

Proposal                  Full Planning Application – Change of Use of two arable fields to provide secure dog walking and exercise. Erection of fencing, shelter, creation of parking area, signage and re-position security gate.

Site Location           SOMERSHAM – Land to the South of Main Road, Somersham, Suffolk

Applicant                 AD and KM Caston

42.2    The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the proposed use of the land, the location of the site, access to the site including security measures, and the officer recommendation of approval.

42.3    The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the use of the adjacent buildings, and whether consideration had been given to the potential noise levels.

42.4    Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Field, who spoke in support of the application.

42.5    The Ward Member and the Area Planning Manager responded to questions from Members on issues including: whether the Parish Council had considered having an Electric Vehicle charging point installed in the village hall car park, and whether there would be anything undertaken to prevent users of the development from parking at the village hall.

42.6    Members debated the application on issues including: the potential noise levels.

42.7    Councillor Passmore proposed that the application be approved.

42.8    Councillor Matthissen seconded the application.

42.9    Members further debated the application on issues including: the provision of the electric vehicle charging point.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:

That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to GRANT FULL PLANNING PERMISSION:

(1)   That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:

• Standard time limit (3yrs for implementation of scheme).

• Approved plans (Plans submitted that form this application).

• Scheme to be submitted and agreed detailing the total number of dogs on site at any one time and how this is to be managed.

• Restriction on enclosure to the highway.

• Provision of vehicle parking prior to first use of.

• Scheme for cycle and EV parking.

          •Illumination restriction.

(2)   And the following informative notes as summarised and those as may be deemed necessary:

• Proactive working statement

43.1    Application              DC/21/06158

Proposal                  Full Planning Application – Erection of 18No dwellings (including 9No affordable units) with associated parking and external works.

Site Location           GREAT FINBOROUGH – Land Off, Pear Tree Place, Great Finborough, Suffolk

Applicant                 Ruby Homes (East Anglia) Ltd

43.2    The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the location and layout of the site, the previous planning applications at the site, access to the site, the proposed housing mix, and the officer recommendation of refusal.

43.3    The Case Officer and the Area Planning Manager responded to questions from Members on issues including: when the adjacent new development was granted permission, the layout of the development, and the reasons why the site was not considered to be sustainable.

43.4    Members considered the representation from Martin Last who spoke as the Agent.

43.5    The Agent responded to questions from Members on issues including: whether the affordable housing units would be built to the same construction method and quality as the non-affordable housing units.

43.6    The Ward Member responded to a question from Members regarding the public transport provision in the area.

43.7    Members considered the representation from the Ward Member, Councillor Matthissen who spoke in support of the application.

43.8    The Ward Member responded to questions from Members on issues including: other recent applications in the area and the provision of affordable housing in the village.

43.9    Members debated the application on issues including: the provision of affordable dwellings within recent developments in the village, the Parish Council support for the proposal, and the sustainability of the site.

43.10  Councillor Passmore proposed that the application be approved with conditions. 

43.11  Councillor Field seconded the proposal.

43.12  Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the support from the local community, the local transport provision, and the sustainability of the development.

43.13  The proposer and seconder proposed the following conditions:

·       Time limit

·       Approved plans

·       Surface water drainage

·       Construction water management plan

·       Landscaping scheme

·       Landscape management plan

·       Suds

·       Archaeology

·       Refuse and recycling

·       Details of roads and footpaths

·       Provision of carriageways and footways

·       Provision of parking 

·       Provision of cycle storage

·       Construction management plan

·       Agreement of materials 

·       Sustainability measures to be agreed

·       Biodiversity enhancement measures

·       EV charging details to agreed

·       Scheme of lighting to be agreed

By a unanimous vote:

It was RESOLVED:

That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to grant planning permission, subject to S106 agreement to secure affordable housing, and conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:

·       Time limit

·       Approved plans

·       Surface water drainage

·       Construction water management plan

·       Landscaping scheme

·       Landscape management plan

·       Suds

·       Archaeology

·       Refuse and recycling

·       Details of roads and footpaths

·       Provision of carriageways and footways

·       Provision of parking 

·       Provision of cycle storage

·       Construction management plan

·       Agreement of materials 

·       Sustainability measures to be agreed

·       Biodiversity enhancement measures

·       EV charging details to agreed

·       Scheme of lighting to be agreed

44.1    Application              DC/21/03406

Proposal                  Application for consent to display an Advertisement(s) – Installation of 2no. flags and 1no. post mounted sign.

Site Location           BACTON – Land South of, Pretyman Avenue, Bacton, Suffolk

Applicant                 Bellway Eastern Counties

44.2    The Case Officer introduced the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including: the location of the site, the location and dimensions of the proposed advertisements, the location of the surrounding dwellings, and the recommendation of approval.

44.3    The Chair read out a statement from the Ward Member, Councillor Mellen, who was unable to attend the meeting.

44.4    The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the conditions relating to the time limit for installation and removal of the advertisements.

44.5    Councillor Meyer proposed that the application be approved subject to an additional condition relating to securing the base of the flag, and an amendment to the time period for removal to within 2 years.

44.6    Councillor Eburne seconded the proposal.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:

That the application is GRANTED advertisement consent

(1)   That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT Advertisement Consent subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:

·       Advertisement time limit

·       Approved plans

·       Standard advert conditions (requiring that the signage is erected with landowner permission, does not harm amenity or block traffic signage, is maintained in good condition, does not create a public safety hazard and that the site is returned to its original condition once removed.

·       Time period for display (tied to residential development being undertaken) for removal within 2 years

And the following additional condition:

·       Base of the flag to be secured

(2)   And the following informative notes as summarised and those as may be deemed necessary:

·       Standard proactive working statement

·       SCC Highways/Public Rights of Way note

45.1    None received.