There were no declarations of interest declared.

All Members of the Committee declared that they had been lobbied on application DC/18/02146.

Councillor Meyer declared that he had visited the site for application DC/20/0264.

It was RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2020 be confirmed as a true record and signed at the next practicable opportunity.

None received.

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

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for public speaking on planning applications, representations were made as detailed below:

18.1    Item 7A

           Application:              DC/18/02146

Proposal:                 Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered) Erection of up to 86 dwellings including car parking, on site early years provision, open space provision with associated infrastructure and vehicular access. Highways improvements including road widening and cycle/footpath link.

Site Location:          ELMSWELL – Land to the North and West of School Road, Elmswell, Suffolk

Applicant:                Christchurch Land and Estates (Elmswell South) Ltd

18.2    The Area Planning Manager presented the application to the Committee, outlining the proposal before Members, the location of the site, the responses from consultees, and the officer recommendation of approval.

18.3    The Area Planning Manager responded to Members’ questions on issues including: ecology measures on site, the sites relationship with the draft Joint Local Plan and housing allocation, the proposed route for the cycle lane, the provision of electric vehicle charging points, the capacity of the junction and its relation to the emerging Neighbourhood Plan, the implications of signalling at the junction, access to the site and related highways issues.

18.4    Members considered the representation from Peter Dow who spoke on behalf of Elmswell Parish Council.

18.5    The Parish Council representative responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the emerging neighbourhood plan.

18.6    Members considered the representation from James Bailey who spoke as the agent.

18.7    The Agent, and the applicant’s Highways Consultant, Victoria Balboa,  responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the route of the footpath and cycleway, the junction at the access to the site, the trees in the area, and highways issues.

18.8    Members considered the representations from Ward Members Councillor Sarah Mansel and Councillor Helen Geake.

18.9    The Area Planning Manager confirmed that the land opposite the Oak tree on school road was owned by Mid Suffolk District Council.

18.10  Members debated the application on issues including: provision of schools in the area, the emerging neighbourhood plan, highways and the junction at the access to the site,

18.11  Councillor Passmore proposed that the application be approved subject to conditions regarding the retention of the oak tree on school road and  Electric vehicle charging points.

18.12  Councillor Muller seconded the proposal for recommendation.

18.13  Members continued to debate the application on issues including: highways issues ,whether the committee had enough information from the highways department, and the possible retention of the oak tree and the weight of the emerging Neighbourhood plan.

18.14  By 3 votes to 4 the motion was lost.

18.15 Councillor Matthew Hicks proposed that the application be deferred for the following reasons:

-        That further information be provided from Suffolk County Councils Highways department regarding the highways matters and the proposed mitigation measures along school road.

18.16 By a unanimous vote

18.17 RESOLVED

That the application is deferred for the following reason:

-        That further information be provided from Suffolk County Councils Highways department regarding the highways matters and the proposed mitigation measures along school road.

19.1  Item 7B

           Application:              DC/20/02614

Proposal:                 Application for approval f reserved matters following outline approval DC/19/01356 – Access, Appearance, landscaping, Layout and Scale for Erection of 21 No dwellings

Site Location:          BADWELL ASH – Land At Warren Farm, The Street, Badwell Ash, Suffolk

           Applicant:                Chatsworth Homes Ltd

19.2 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.

19.3 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including the adoption of the highways, and the parking provision on site including Tandem Parking, the hedgerow, the proposed footway, that there would be windows overlooking the parking court, the bin collection points, and the proposed chimney design.

19.4 Members considered the representation from the Agent, Graham Bloomfield.

19.5 The Agent responded to Members questions on issues including: the proposed mix of housing on site, the current status of the land and proposed landscaping conditions, and the tandem parking on site.

19.6 Members considered the representation from Councillor Richard Meyer who spoke as the Ward Member.

19.7 The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: posts being placed around the green open space.

19.8 Members debated the application on the issues including: the tandem (triple) parking on the site, the design of the buildings and the proposed landscaping.

19.9 Councillor John Field proposed that the application be deferred to review the parking on site, specifically regarding tandem (triple) parking, parking  and courts, and to review the open space and layout.

19.10 Councillor Tim Passmore seconded the proposal.

19.11 Members continued to debate the application on the issues including: that the size of the houses was a matter for the developer.

19.12 By a unanimous vote

19.13 RESOLVED

That the application is deferred for the following reasons:

-        To review the parking on site, specifically regarding tandem (triple) parking, parking  and courts, and to review the open space and layout.

A short comfort break was taken between 13:17-13:23 after the completion of DC/20/02614 but before the commencement of DC/20/02539.  

20.1    Item 7C

           Application:              DC/20/02539

Proposal:                 Application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act for DC/19/02283 for variation of condition 2 (Approved Plans and Documents)

Site Location:          MENDLESHAM – Land adjacent Riverside Cottages, Mendlesham Green, Mendlesham, Suffolk

           Applicant:                Brooks & Wood

20.2    The Area Planning Manager presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the variation to the condition and the officer recommendation of approval.

20.3    The Area Planning Manger responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the colour of the render, the previous planning application history, and the current situation of building on site.

20.4    Members considered the representation from Michael Exley from Mendlesham Parish Council.

20.5    Members considered the representation from Ward Member, Councillor Andrew Stringer.

20.6    The Ward Member responded to Members’ questions on issues including: maintenance of the render.

20.7    Members debated the application on issues including: amending previously agreed conditions.

20.8    Councillor Passmore proposed that the application be refused for the following reason:

-        The Change from render to brick as proposed, if approved would result in an intrusion on neighbouring amenity that emphasised the sense of enclosure. Contrary to policies H13, H16 and GP1 of the Local Plan 1998 and section 12 of the NPPF.

20.9 Councillor John Field seconded the motion.

20.10 by 5 votes to 2.

20.11 RESOLVED

 That the Application be refused for the following reasons:

-        The Change from render to brick as proposed, if approved would result in an intrusion on neighbouring amenity that emphasised the sense of enclosure. Contrary to policies H13, H16 and GP1 of the Local Plan 1998 and section 12 of the NPPF.

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

None requested.