Agenda and minutes

a)    Webcasting;

b)    Introductions of Members and Officers;

c)    Other announcements.

a)    The Chair confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording could be used for training purposes within the Council. The Chair had the discretion to terminate or suspend filming if it was his opinion that continuing to do so would prejudice the proceedings of the meeting. It was likely that recording cameras would capture the image of persons seated in the public gallery and that image would become part of the broadcast. Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting were the speaker’s own and did not necessarily reflect the views of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

b)    Members of the Committee and Officers present were introduced by the Chair. This was the first meeting after the District Council elections and so a number of new members of the committee were present.

c)    The Chair requested that mobile phones be switched off or to silent.

            (a)    To approve as a correct record the Public Minutes of the Planning Applications Committee held on 4 April 2019.

            (b)    Reports on matters arising, if any.

RESOLVED – That the Public Minutes of the Planning Applications Committee held on 4 April 2019 be APPROVED as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no urgent items.

i. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

ii. Other Interests;

iii. Lobbying Interests.

CONSIDERED – An application by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to confirm provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. SM 311 in respect of the Lime Tree shown as T1 on the plan attached to the report.

RESOLVED – That notwithstanding the objections received , TPO No. 311 be confirmed without modification.

(Proposed by Councillor Davies and seconded by Councillor Coleman.)

OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ALL MATTERS RESERVED FOR L & C HOMES Ltd.

(Report recommended Approval)

(All members had declared “other” and lobbying interests. Ben Haywood had declared an “other” interest and left the room, taking no part in the discussion.)

RECEIVED – Representation from the undermentioned speaker:-

Against the application:

                   Mr. Paul Jones                      -        Objector

The undermentioned had registered to speak, but in the event did not:-

Against the application:

                   Mr. Kevin Barr                       -        Objector

                   Mr. Steven Proffitt                 -        Objector

                   Cllr. Sav Scalise                   -        Ward Councillor

                   Cllr. Mike Worthington         -        Ward Councillor

For the application:

                   Mr. David Breakwell             -        Applicant’s Agent

                   Mr. Frank Murray                  -        Applicant

NOTED -   1.  Prior to his representation, Mr. Jones pointed out that the Design Access Statement (DAS) and the Ecology report were absent from the Council’s website. Officers checked and established that the Ecology Report was present, but that the DAS was absent. As a result, the application was withdrawn by officers.

                   2.  Further to 1. above, the Objectors requested a meeting with Senior officer(s) to discuss this matter.

RESOLVED – That the application be WITHDRAWN.

OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WILDLIFE POND AND HABITAT FOR MR. EVANS.

(Report recommended Approval)

(Councillors Flunder and Lea had declared “other” interests. Councillor Flunder had also declared a lobbying interest.)

RECEIVED – Representations from the undermentioned speakers:-

Against the application:

                   Mr. Patrick Davies               -        Objector

          Mr. Anthony Davies            -        Objector (statement read out by the Legal Advisor)

For the application:

                   Mr. Gez Willard                    -        Applicant’s Agent

NOTED -   1.  An objection had been submitted by the Ecology Officer relating to a lack of information supplied. The objection had since been withdrawn following submission of the required information.

                   2.  In the event that the S.106 agreement was not completed by 6 June and there was no time extension, that delegated authority be given to the Head of Development Services to refuse the application in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Applications Committee.

                   A motion to REFUSE the application was proposed by Councillor Lea and seconded by Councillor Elkin. However, when the vote was cast, the motion was LOST.

RESOLVED – 1. That the application be APPROVED for the reasons and based on the policies contained in the report, subject to the conditions and informatives contained in the report and a Section 106 agreement to secure:

a)    33% of the total number of dwellings as affordable units; and

b)    Financial contributions towards public open space.

                          2. In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval / refusal), prior to the decision being issued the Head of Development Services had delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Applications Committee, provided that the changes did not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

(Proposed by Councillor Gledhill and seconded by Councillor Davies.)

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING AND ERECTION OF TWO STOREY 66 BED CARE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY FOR LNT CARE DEVELOPMENTS.

(Report recommended Approval)

(Councillor Lea left the Chamber for the Application.)

RECEIVED – Representation from the undermentioned speaker:-

For the application:

                   Ms. Jo Kemp                        -        Applicant’s Agent

NOTED -   1.  A Draft Unilateral Undertaking had been received from the Applicant and was being reviewed by the Council’s Solicitor.

RESOLVED – 1. That the application be APPROVED for the reasons and based on the policies in the report, subject to the conditions and informatives contained in the report and a Section 106 Agreement being completed to secure £6,895 for the future monitoring of the Travel Plan.

                        2. In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval / refusal), prior to the decision being issued the Head of Development Services had delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Applications Committee, provided that the changes did not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

(Proposed by Councillor Gledhill and seconded by Councillor Davies.)

ERECTION OF SINGLE DWELLING AND DETACHED GARAGE FOR MR. & MRS. McDERMOTT.

(Report recommended Approval)

(All members had declared “other” and lobbying interests.)

RECEIVED – Representations from the undermentioned speakers:-

Against the application:

                   Mr. Kevin Day                      -        Objector

                   Mrs. Erica Hegewald          -        Objector

                   Cllr. Norma Hawkins          -        Ward Councillor

For the application:

                   Mr. David Breakwell            -        Applicant’s Agent

NOTED – 1.  Outline Planning Permission was granted by Committee in September 2018.

                   2.  Late Representations Report contained:

·         Correction of applicants’ name;

·         Correction to height of dwelling stated;

·         Further letter received from neighbour, with response from officer.

                   3.  Additional informative requested regarding potential damage to existing drains during construction works.

                   4.  Discussion took place regarding the street scene and distance from the dwelling opposite.

RESOLVED – 1. That, contrary to officer recommendation, the application be REFUSED for the reasons and policies stated below:-

Reasons / Policies:

·         Breach of minimum distance between dwellings;

·         Detrimental to street scene;

·         Contrary to Policy DC1.

(Proposed by Councillor Davies and seconded by Councillor Gledhill.)

MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE AT PART OF A PORTAL FRAME BUILDING TO A CHILDREN’S SOFT PLAY AREA (D2 OF THE USE CLASSES ORDER) TO INCLUDE SOME INCIDENTAL EXTERNAL WORKS FOR MRS. SMITH.

(Report recommended Refusal)

(All members had declared “other” interests.)

RECEIVED – Representations from the undermentioned speakers:-

For the application:

                   Mr. David Breakwell            -        Applicant’s Agent

                   Mrs. Georgina Smith           -        Applicant

                   Cllr. Mike Worthington       -        Ward Councillor

NOTED – 1.  Applicant advised that Euro-funding was available to them, subject to commencement prior to the ‘Brexit’ deadline.

                   2.  Discussion took place regarding the benefits of the scheme.

RESOLVED – 1. That, contrary to officer recommendation, the application be APPROVED for the reasons / policies stated below:-

Reasons / policies

·         Creation of employment

·         Recreation

·         Health benefits

                            2.  Conditions delegated to officers.

(Proposed by Councillor Holmes and seconded by Councillor Elkin.)

This item was withdrawn by the Applicant prior to the meeting.