Planning Committee – 8 October 2008
Chair: Councillor Collinson
Venue: Council Chamber, Pittwood House, Scunthorpe
Time: 2 pm
AGENDA
1. Substitutions.
2. Declarations of Personal and Personal and Prejudicial Interests, significant contact with applicants, objectors or third parties (Lobbying) and Whipping Arrangements (if any).
3. To take the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2008 as a correct record and authorise the chair to sign.
4. Application deferred from previous meeting for site visit.
5. Major Planning Applications
6. Other Planning applications for determination by the committee.
7. Enforcement Update.
8. Changes to Householder Permitted Development Rights.
9. Any other items, which the chairman decides are urgent, by reasons of special circumstances which must be specified.
Note: All reports are by the Head of Planning.
Minutes
PRESENT: Councillor Collinson (Chair).
Councillors Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, B Briggs, Bunyan, Eckhardt, England, L Foster, Gosling, C Sherwood, Wardle and Whiteley.
Councillors T Foster Glover, Poole, Mrs Redfern and Smith attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b).
The committee met at Pittwood House Scunthorpe.
1079 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS, SIGNIFICANT CONTACT WITH APPLICANTS OR THIRD PARTIES (LOBBYING) AND WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY)
The following members declared personal interests:
|
Members
|
Minute
|
Applications
|
Nature of Interest
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Armitage | 1082 (i) | 07/0828 | Vice-Chair of Gunness Parish Council |
| Cllr Armitage | 1083 (ii) | 08/0945 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Armitage | 1083 (ix) | 08/1043 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Armitage | 1083 (xxiii) | 08/1286 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Armitage | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Bainbridge | 1083 (ii) | 08/0945 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Collinson | 1083 (xiii) | 08/1064 | Knew employer of applicant |
| Cllr Collinson | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xvii) | 08/1114 | Ward Member |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xviii) | 08/1115 | Ward Member |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xix) | 08/1116 | Ward Member |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xx) | 08/1118 | Ward Member |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (x) | 08/1053 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xi) | 08/1054 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xii) | 08/1055 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xv) | 08/1078 | Ward Member Member of Epworth Town Council Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xvi) | 08/1100 | Ward Member Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (ii) | 08/0945 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xvii) | 08/1114 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xviii) | 08/1115 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xix) | 08/1116 | Ward Member |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xxiii) | 08/1286 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1083 (xx) | 08/1118 | Ward Member |
| Cllr Bunyan | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 | Member of Broughton Town Council |
| Cllr Bunyan | 1082 (iii) | 08/0044 | Member of Waste Project Board of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Bunyan | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr England | 1082 (iv) | 08/1153 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr England | 1083 (i) | 08/0647 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr England | 1083 (ii) | 08/0945 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr England | 1083 (iv) | 08/0979 | Ward Member |
| Cllr England | 1083 (vii) | 08/1030 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr England | 1083 (xxii) | 08/1214 | Ward Member |
| Cllr England | 1083 (xxiii) | 08/1286 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr England | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr L Foster | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Gosling | 1082 (i) | 07/0828 | Member of Gunness Parish Council |
| Cllr Gosling | 1082 (iv) | 07/1153 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Gosling | 1083 (vii) | 07/1030 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Gosling | 1083 (xxiii) | 08/1286 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Gosling | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Gosling | 1083 (i) | 08/0647 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr C Sherwood | 1083 (xiii) | 08/1064 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr C Sherwood | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (ii) | 08/0945 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Wardle | 1082 (iv) | 08/1153 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (i) | 08/0647 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (v) | 08/0997 | Knew applicant and objectors |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (vii) | 08/1030 | Member of North Lincolnshire Council |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (xxiii) | 08/1286 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Wardle | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
| Cllr Whiteley | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Knew applicant |
The following member declared a personal and prejudicial interest.
|
Member
|
Minute
|
Application
|
Nature of Interest
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Councillor England | 1083 (iii) | 08/0962 | Member of Messingham Parish Council Lived near site |
The following members, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b) declared personal interests.
|
Members
|
Minute
|
Applications
|
Nature of Interest
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Poole | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 | Had used hotel |
| Cllr Poole | 1083 (iii) | 08/0962 | Chairman of Messingham Parish Council |
| Cllr T Foster | 1083 (iii) | 08/0962 | Member of Messingham Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xvii) | 08/1114 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xviii) | 08/1115 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xix) | 08/1116 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xx) | 08/1118 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (x) | 08/1053 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xii) | 08/1055 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xv) | 08/1078 | Ward Member and member of Parish Council |
The following members, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b) declared personal and prejudicial interests as follows.
|
Members
|
Minute
|
Applications
|
Nature of Interest
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Glover | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 | Family had owned a property within the application site. |
| Cllr Poole | 1083 (xxi) | 08/1202 | Applicant |
The following members declared that they had been lobbied: –
|
Members
|
Minute
|
Application
|
|---|---|---|
| Cllr Bainbridge | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 |
| Cllr B Briggs | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xvii) | 08/1114 |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xviii) | 08/1115 |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xix) | 08/1116 |
| Cllr Barker | 1083 (xx) | 08/1118 |
| Cllr Bunyan | 1082 (ii) | 08/1172 |
| Cllr Collinson | 1082 (iii) | 08/0044 |
| Cllr Armitage | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 |
| Cllr England | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 |
| Cllr Wardle | 1082 (iii) | 08/0044 |
The following members attending under the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b) declared that they had been lobbied: –
|
Members
|
Minute
|
Application
|
|---|---|---|
| Cllr Poole | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 |
| Cllr Poole | 1082 (iii) | 07/0044 |
| Cllr Poole | 1083 (iii) | 07/0962 |
| Cllr Poole | 1083 (xxii) | 07/1214 |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xvii) | 08/1114 |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xviii) | 08/1115 |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xix) | 08/1116 |
| Cllr Mrs Redfern | 1083 (xx) | 08/1118 |
The following officers declared non-pecuniary interests: –
|
Officer
|
Minute
|
Applications
|
Nature of Interest
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr S Whittemore | 1082 (iii) | 08/0044 | Knew objector |
| Mr S Whittemore | 1083 (viii) | 08/1032 | Knew objector |
| Mr S Whittemore | 1082 (ii) | 07/1172 | Member of North Lincolnshire Friends of the Earth and knew several of the objectors |
| Mrs V Wilcockson | 1082 (iii) | 08/0044 | Member of English Heritage |
In respect of application 07/1172, Mr Whittemore indicated that the interest was clear and substantial.
1080 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 10 September 2008 having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
1081 (34) APPLICATION DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING – In accordance with the decision at the previous meeting, members had undertaken a site visit on the morning of the meeting. The Head of Planning submitted a report and updated it orally.
(i) 08/0719 by Mr S Cook for the retention of a single-storey extension to the rear of property at 14 Railway Street, Barnetby-le-Wold.
Prior to consideration of this application the applicant’s agent addressed the committee. He stated that any perceived problems arose from the extension being built close to the extension to no.16 .The applicants had therefore had no choice as to where they sited the extension. Building Regulations approval had been obtained. The extension complemented the existing dwelling.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
1082 (35) MAJOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS – The Head of Planning submitted a report incorporating a schedule containing details of major applications for determination by the committee including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications.
(i) 07/0828 by Gallagher Estates Ltd for outline permission for residential development, open space, primary school and associated access and landscaping (access not reserved for subsequent approval) on land rear of Tesco, Doncaster Road, east of A1077, Flixborough, Gunness and Scunthorpe.
The Head of Planning reported a late representation from the Environment Agency which was giving further consideration to its position on the application.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred pending clarification of the Environment Agency’s position.
Prior to consideration of the following application, Councillor Glover, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest and Mr S Whittemore, having declared a clear and substantial non-pecuniary interest in the application, left the meeting.
(ii) 07/1172 by Q Hotels for the change of use of woodland to a golf course and make alterations to an existing golf course on land at and north of Forest Pines Golf Course, Ermine Street, Broughton.
Prior to consideration of this application, three objectors and two representatives of the applicants addressed the committee.
The objectors were concerned at the potential loss of ancient woodland. A decision to destroy this should not be taken lightly and would be contrary to national, regional and local policies. No alternative sites had been considered. The remaining areas of woodland would be fragmented and would not be sustainable. The proposal was therefore contrary to PPS 7. Once lost ancient woodland could not be recreated. No exceptional circumstances had been put forward to justify the loss of ancient woodland and therefore the proposal was contrary to the provisions of PPS 9. One of the objectors spoke of how he frequently visited woodlands on foot and by cycle. He said that the land could provide employment benefits without the loss of woodland.
The applicant’s representatives stated that golf courses could be sustainable and provide wildlife benefits. This application would improve biodiversity. The long – term survival of the woodland was not otherwise secure. The proposal would provide tourism and economic benefits and the course could rival other great courses. These benefits would outweigh the loss of woodland. The report did not detail how the recommendation had been arrived at.
Councillor Poole, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b), addressed the committee.
Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor England –
That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting.
Motion Lost
Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor Eckhardt –
That permission be granted
Motion Lost
Moved by Councillor Barker and seconded by Councillor L Foster –
That permission be refused for the reasons contained in the report.
Motion Carried
Mr S Whittemore returned to the meeting.
(iii) 08/0044 by Singleton Birch Ltd for the erection of an energy generation facility, associated infrastructure, car/vehicle parking and highway access at Singleton Birch, Brigg Road, Melton Ross, Croxton.
The Head of Planning reported a late representation by Kirmington and Croxton Parish Council. Whilst that council had been consulted on the application no representations had been received during the formal consultation period. The Service Director Legal and Democratic reported that the parish council had been moribund between May 2006 and September 2008 following the resignation of all of it’s members.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting to enable consideration of the parish council representations and for members to undertake a site visit. The reason for undertaking the site visit is to avoid further delay.
(iv) 08/1153 by North Lincolnshire Council for residential development (access not reserved for subsequent approval) (re-submission of PA/2008/0648) at Grange Lane Nursery, site off Somervell Road, Scunthorpe.
Prior to consideration of this application two objectors addressed the committee.
The objectors had concerns regarding the safety of children, noise and disturbance, highways access, inadequate car parking, flood risk and drainage issues.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
1083 (36) PLANNING APPLICATIONS – The Head of Planning submitted a report incorporating a schedule containing details of applications for determination by the committee including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications.
(i) 08/0647 by North Lincolnshire Council for the change of use to public open space to include a cycle trail, multi-sport facility, wildflower garden, LEAP (Locally Equipped Area for Play) and ancillary landscaping on Land at Grange Lane Nursery, Grange Lane South, Scunthorpe.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(ii) 08/0945 by Mr M Wedgewood for erection of a first floor extension at Roma Cottage, Skinners Lane, South Ferriby.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
Prior to consideration of the following application, Councillor England, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application, left the meeting.
(iii) 08/0962 by Advocate Development Ltd for the erection of three detached dwellings and detached domestic garages (resubmission of PA/2008/0170) at 43-45 Butterwick Road, Messingham.
Councillors T Foster and Poole, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b), addressed the committee.
Moved by Councillor Armitage and seconded by Councillor C Sherwood –
That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting.
Motion Lost
Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor Gosling –
That permission be refused for reasons relating to over development of the site, the effect on the street scene and highway safety.
Motion Carried
Councillor England returned to the meeting
(iv) 08/0979 by Mr and Mrs T Withington for the erection of extensions to a dwelling at 2 Brook Lane, Scawby Brook.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(v) 08/0997 by Keigar Homes Ltd for the erection of four dwellings and demolition of an existing dwelling at 24 High Street, Wootton.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reasons for undertaking a site visit is that the development was of an unusual nature and could change the street scene.
(vi) 08/1004 by Mr L Eliott for the erection of two short-wave amateur radio masts and aerials at Elm Lodge, 2 Hood Croft, Haxey.
Prior to consideration of this application, an objector and the applicant addressed the committee.
The objector was concerned that the masts would not be adequately screened by the deciduous trees. They would be highly visible and would have an adverse effect on an area of historic landscape value.
The applicant stated that the mast was necessary to enable him to carry out his hobby. In effect the proposal replace five masts in Westwoodside with two in Haxey.
Resolved – That permission be refused in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(vii) 08/1030 by North Lincolnshire Council for the replacement of an existing entrance with a new two-storey extension and erection of a single-storey rear extension at Barton-upon-Humber Youth Centre, Maltby Lane, Barton-upon-Humber.
Prior to consideration of this application an objector addressed the committee. She was concerned that she had been given inadequate notice of the meeting and about road safety issues.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(viii) 08/1032 by Mrs D McTamney for the erection of a detached dwelling (re-submission of PA/2008/0583) on land to the rear of 8 Silver Street, Winteringham.
Prior to consideration of this application the applicant and an objector addressed the committee.
The applicant stated that the proposal would be in keeping with the area and was within the development limit.
The objector stated that two of the neighbouring properties were listed and two within an area designated as being of townscape value. There would be a potential problem with the storage of bins. The application did not conform to the council’s requirements. The submitted conservation area assessment was incomplete.
Councillor Smith, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b), addressed the committee.
Moved by Councillor L Foster and seconded by Councillor Gosling –
That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting.
Motion Lost
Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor Wardle –
That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
Motion Carried
(ix) 08/1043 by SLW Cash and Carry Ltd for the erection of a warehouse (re-submission of PA/2007/2059) at Plot 26, Hebden Road, Scunthorpe.
Prior to consideration of this application the applicant’s agent and an objector addressed the committee. The agent stated that the company had worked with planning officers to meet their requirements. The warehouse would be 40 metres from the nearest dwellings and sound screening would be put in place. Ten to fifteen new jobs would be created.
The objector was concerned that when Scunthorpe Borough Council had compulsorily purchased the land for an industrial estate assurances had been given that there would be a twenty metre buffer zone between it and housing. Only the present applicants had been permitted to breach this requirement. The warehouse would be visible from Scotter Road and the Berkley estate.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report subject to the amendment of condition 9 to read “The rear fire doors …”
(x) 08/1053 by Liberty Guard (UK) Ltd for advertisement consent to retain a triangular non-illuminated sign at Twelco Fabrications, Belton Road, Sandtoft.
Resolved -That consent be granted.
(xi) 08/1054 by Mr G Marsh for a single-storey extension and associated works (application to vary details already approved – resubmission of PA/2007/0772) at The Laurels, 70 High Street, Belton.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xii) 08/1055 by Mr G Marsh for Listed Building Consent for a single-storey extension and associated works (application to vary details already approved – resubmission of PA/2007/0901) at The Laurels, 70 High Street, Belton.
Resolved – That consent be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xiii) 08/1064 by Mr J Draper for the erection of five three-bed roomed terrace town houses on land rear of 22a Market Place, Brigg.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xiv) 08/1070 by Marquis Country Homes Ltd for the erection of three detached houses (re-submission of PA/2008/0383) on land off Silver Street, Barnetby-le-Wold.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xv) 08/1078 by Mr A Harrison for the erection of a replacement dwelling at 33 West End Road, Epworth.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xvi) 08/1100 by North Lincs Property Holdings Ltd for the retention of a change of use from retail sales of HGVs and trailers to retail sales of HGVs and trailers plus use as a haulage yard/operating centre at Unit 11, Sandtoft Road, Sandtoft Industrial Estate, Belton.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
(xvii) 08/1114 by T A White and Sons for the retention of bunds, including landscaping, security gate and cabin at Area A, Sandtoft Industrial Estate, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Belton.
Prior to consideration of this application the applicant and an objector addressed the committee. The applicant stated that the bunds harboured wildlife where trees had been planted. The bunds would not lead to flooding, in fact they could save buildings from flooding.
The objector stated that there were four houses nearby that were outside the area shown on the plan accompanying the report. The site was not on a designated industrial estate and was outside the development limit on Grade 2 agricultural land.
Councillor Mrs Redfern, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 37 (b), addressed the committee.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reasons for undertaking a site visit is to enable members to view the site in context.
(xviii) 08/1115 by T A White and Sons for the retention of the change of use of a former airfield to open storage for timber and railway sleepers at Area A, Sandtoft Industrial Estate, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Belton.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reasons for undertaking a site visit is to enable members to view the site in context.
(xix) 08/1116 by T A White and Sons for the retention of change of use of a former airfield to open storage of paving stones at Sandtoft Industrial Estate, land off access roads in disused airfield, Sandtoft.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reasons for undertaking a site visit is to enable members to view the site in context.
(xx) 08/1118 by T A White and Sons for the retention of the change of use a former warehouse for B8 caravan storage at Area A, Sandtoft Industrial Estate, Belton.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reasons for undertaking a site visit is to enable members to view the site in context.
(xxi) 08/1202 by Penrhyn Properties for the amendment of condition 4 of PA/2007/1302 to allow the premises to be open from 9am to 11pm Monday to Sunday on a permanent basis at 46 High Street, Messingham.
Prior to consideration of this application, Councillor Poole, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application, spoke on the application, in accordance with Procedure Rule 35 (f) and the Code of Conduct 2007, and then left the meeting.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report subject to the substitution of the words ‘each day of the week’ for ‘Monday to Sunday and not at any time on public holidays’ in Condition 3.
Councillor Poole returned to the meeting.
(xxii) 08/1214 by Mr A Manley for retention of amended position for dwelling (re-submission) of PA/2007/1901 on Plot 26, Endell Drive, Kirton-in-Lindsey.
Prior to consideration of this application an objector and the applicant addressed the committee. The objector stated that the access was a narrow private drive. The dwelling had been built in accordance with plans which were not the approved ones. It was five metres closer to the objector’s property than on the approved plan and would overlook his property from the gable window.
The applicant stated that the dwelling had been built in the wrong position due to an oversight.
Resolved – That consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting and that members undertake a site visit prior to that meeting. The reason for undertaking a site visit is to enable members to judge the effect of the incorrect siting of the house.
(xxiii) 08/1286 by Mr and Mrs S Driver for an extension to form games room and greenhouse, and replacement pitched roof over flat roof at 35 Flixborough Road, Burton-upon-Stather.
Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.
1084 (37) ENFORCEMENT UPDATE – The Head of Planning submitted a schedule giving details of progress in respect of matters on which he had taken enforcement action under delegated authority.
Resolved – That the report be noted.
1085 (38) CHANGES IN HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS – The Head of Planning submitted a report informing members of the recently announced changes to the householder permitted development rights and regulations put forward by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. These changes had come into force on 1 October 2008.
The new regulations set out the changes that were proposed to the scope of permitted development as it related to householder type development. It was suggested by Government that the revised system would deliver a more permissive regime than before 1 October 2008 and remove the need for a planning application in many more cases.
The rationale behind the Government changes was that some developments that had previously required an application for planning permission were deemed to have no significant impact. A considerable amount of staff time and resources was required by the local authority to process such applications, as well as the time taken by the applicant to prepare the paperwork. The changes, therefore, would reduce the overall number of developments that require consent by removing those that were deemed to have no or only minimal impact from the system. This should reduce the costs in dealing with householder developments and enable planning officers to focus on much more strategically important, or contentious issues, or those that had a wider public benefit or interest.
The report detailed the main changes, highlighting the new regime for extensions and the removal of permitted development rights to ‘concrete over’ front gardens without planning permission.
In the short-term it was anticipated that there could be confusion amongst householders where they had been given advice that they required planning permission for their development in the past, whereas the same development that was now proposed would not, or indeed vice versa. Therefore considerable publicity about these changes was required. There would also be a loss of fee income to the council from a reduction in the number of planning applications for householder development. During 2006/2007 the council received some 769 householder type applications and it was likely that this number would be reduced by perhaps 30%, which would lead to a net loss in income of approximately £34,000. However a reduction in workload for planning officers from these changes would help relieve pressure on staff resources within the Development Control team. Planning case officers would, at the same time, be able to devote more time to the determination of the more significant, or controversial applications, which it was considered have a far greater impact on the local and national economy and local environment.
Resolved – That the report be noted.