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/17/03424 |
Anthony Bryant (Brundish Parish Council) Alison Hosford (Objector) Martin Last (Agent) Leslie Balshaw (Applicant) |
DC/17/03027 |
Nigel Ozier (Agent) |
DC/17/03147 |
None |
7.1 Councillor Matthew Hicks explained that due to his position as the ward Member he would not be Chairing application DC/17/03424 and that as the Vice Chair was not present, a Chair would need to be elected for application DC/17/03424 only.
7.2 Councillor Derrick Haley proposed that Councillor Roy Barker Chair application DC/17/03424. Councillor Lavinia Hadingham seconded the motion.
7.3 By a unanimous vote
7.4 RESOLVED
That Councillor Roy Barker Chair application DC/17/03424 only.
7.5 Item 1
Application DC/17/03424
Proposal Change of use of public house to dwelling
Site Location BRUNDISH- The Crown Inn, Tannington Long Road, Brundish, Suffolk, IP13 8BE
Applicant Mr and Mrs M Balshaw
7.6 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal, and the Officer recommendation. The Case Officer elaborated on the specific issues around the proposal which included: the Council’s policy regarding the retention of public houses, the change of use of the public house, and the report from Mr Jonathan Reubin who had been instructed to assess the viability of the premises as a public house.
7.7 The Case Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the marketing of the public house and the fact that an offer had been made but was subsequently refused, and the location of other public houses within the area.
7.8 Members considered the representations from the Parish Council, Objector, Applicant, Agent and Ward Member.
7.9 The Public speakers responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the difference between the price of the public house when last sold as indicated by the land registry and the price now sought (on this point members were advised that the land registry value excluded goodwill) , the fact that the offer had been rejected, and whether any subsequent negotiations had occurred.
7.10 Members debated the application on issues including: the ownership of the public house and how the business could be successful, Mr Reubin’s report and whether, because an offer had been made, his analysis was now obsolete, the fact that this was the last public house in the village, that this would be a loss to the local economy, and that local employment should be protected.
7.11 Councillor Michael Burke proposed that the application be refused for the reasons as follows:
It is considered that the use as a public house has the potential to be a valued local facility which would be able to meet the day to day and future needs of the community in the locality. The local planning authority do not consider that reasonable efforts have been taken to maintain a viable business. On that basis the proposed change of use would be contrary to the principles of paragraph 28 and 70 of the National Planning Policy Framework and would accordingly be contrary to policy E6 of the adopted 1998 Mid Suffolk Local Plan as it fails to demonstrate any significant benefit and not in accord to the principles of paragraph 5.4 of the Planning Guidance for the Retention of Shops, Post Offices and Public Houses in Villages.
7.12 Councillor David Burn seconded the motion.
7.13 By 7 votes to 1
7.14 RESOLVED
It is considered that the use as a public house has the potential to be a valued local facility which would be able to meet the day to day and future needs of the community in the locality. The local planning authority do not consider that reasonable efforts have been taken to maintain a viable business. On that basis the proposed change of use would be contrary to the principles of paragraph 28 and 70 of the National Planning Policy Framework and would accordingly be contrary to policy E6 of the adopted 1998 Mid Suffolk Local Plan as it fails to demonstrate any significant benefit and not in accord to the principles of paragraph 5.4 of the Planning Guidance for the Retention of Shops, Post Offices and Public Houses in Villages.
7.15 After the completion of DC/17/03424 Cllr Matthew Hicks re-joined the meeting as a Committee Member to Chair applications DC/17/03027 and DC/17/03147. Councillor Roy Barker relinquished the Chair and returned to the Committee.
7.16 Item 2
Application DC/17/03027
Proposal Erection of petrol filling station and associated sales building, restaurant and drive-thru takeaway and associated works; construction of new vehicular access from A140 and exit to A143
Site Location STUSTON- Land At Scole Roundabout (Junction between A143 and A140)
Applicant Mr West
7.17 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal, the late papers which included the representation from Stuston Parish, an enhanced site layout plan, and that the Officer Recommendation was for approval.
7.18 The Case Officer responded to Members questions on issues including: the response from Suffolk County Council Highways Department and Highways England, that there had been no response from Norfolk County Council’s Highways Department, that there would be no HGV lorry parking, the proximity to the flood zone, the possible contamination from the site and the proposed mitigation measures and that there was no pedestrian crossing contained in the proposal.
7.19 Members considered the representation from the Applicant.
7.20 A short break was taken between 11:11-11:18 to allow Officers to confer.
7.21 The Area Planning Manager clarified that pedestrian access and a crossing were not part of the application before Members.
7.22 The Applicant responded to Members questions on issues including: electric car charging points, cycle storage and the materials that would be used for construction.
7.23 Members considered the representation from the Ward Member who spoke on issues including: pedestrian access, the layout of the site, the impact on residential amenity and the possibility of electric car charging points.
7.24 Councillor Derrick Haley proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation and was seconded by Councillor Lavinia Hadingham.
7.25 Members debated the application on issues including: the need for facilities and electric car charging points, the risk of contaminated material entering the water table, and the safe access and egress for all.
7.26 Members felt that additional informative information should be added to the recommendation as follows:
- Consideration for Pedestrian/ cycle access to be considered with Suffolk County Council.
- Advise that charging spaces for electric cars should be considered.
- Consideration of increased cycle bay provision.
7.27 The Proposer and Seconder agreed that the additional informatives be included in the motion.
7.28 By 6 votes to 2
7.29 RESOLVED
That authority be delegated to Corporate Manager - Growth & Sustainable Planning to grant full planning permission subject to conditions including:
· Standard time limit
· Approved Plans
· As requested by SCC Highways (visibility splays, access roads, parking)
· Submission of detailed landscaping scheme, including supplemental planting to existing hedgerows
· Landscape Management Plan
· Details of Underground Tanks
· Land Contamination (as per EA recommendation)
· Foundation Details (as per EA recommendation)
· Surface Water Drainage (as per SCC Flood and Water recommendations)
· Archaeological Investigation
· Provision of fire hydrants
· As requested by EPO during construction (construction hours, dust, smoke, light)
· As requested by EPO relating to operation (noise, plant, deliveries, lighting, acoustic fencing, tannoy system)
7.30 Item 3
Application DC/17/03147
Proposal Proposal for “Mixed use Development” comprising the erection of 3 No. Detached residential dwellings and garages; Erection of 6 No. Small industrial units (B1) and 1 No. main industrial Unit (B2) all new vehicular accesses, associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatments.
Site Location CREETING ST MARY- Land on East Side, Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary, Ipswich, IP6 8NH
Applicant Mr Jon Haynes
7.30 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal and the Officer Recommendation with an additional condition for the operational hours of the site.
7.31 The Case Officer responded to Members questions on issues including: the type of businesses associated with type B1 and B2 use.
7.32 The Case Officer explained that Suffolk County Council were recommending refusal but that amended plans had been submitted regarding the access to the site.
7.33 Members felt that the amended access proposal should be scrutinised by Suffolk County Council Highways before a decision be taken on the application.
7.34 Councillor Sarah Mansel proposed that the application be deferred to seek clarity from Suffolk County Council’s Highways team regarding the amended plans.
7.35 Councillor Matthew Hicks seconded the motion.
7.36 By a unanimous vote
7.37 RESOLVED
Deferred to clarify Suffolk County Council Highways position on the scheme given amended plans.
Supporting documents: