Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 17^th July 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of 17^th July 2023 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Change of use of land for the siting of 19 static holiday caravans together with associated parking, access roads, drainage and landscaping and the retention of earthworks.

Under the scheme of public participation, residents Chris Mellor, Terry Mellor, Timothy Sarney and Christopher Austin spoke against the application.  Alexis De Pol (De Pol Associates Ltd) responded in favour.

It was proposed by Councillor Joyce Pritchard and seconded by Councillor Alan Greenwell:

“That the application be refused for reasons 1 and 2 as given in the Committee Report.”

Upon being put to the vote, 12 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The application site includes an area of ancient woodland. The standing advice offered by Natural England with respect to ancient woodlands advises that a buffer of at least 15 metres should be installed between development and ancient wooded areas. In addition, paragraph 180c of the NPPF states that where the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland may arise, development should be refused. In this instance, the application proposes to site nine caravans on associated hardstandings within 15 metres of the ancient woodland. The scheme layout fails to incorporate a suitable buffer between the proposed development and the existing woodland as required by the standing advice offered by Natural England. Given their contribution towards the landscape, their amenity value and their remaining lifespan, inflicting harm upon trees believed to comprise ancient woodland is not acceptable and represents a material conflict with policy SP8 of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD and policy DM45 of the Development Management DPD, paragraph 180c of the NPPF and the standing advice offered by Natural England.

2.    Policies SP8 of the SPLA DPD and DM44 of the DM DPD seek to ensure undue ecological harm is avoided and mitigated where appropriate. The application does not provide sufficient information within the Habitat Survey & Ecological Impact Assessment regarding the 4 trees that are proposed to be felled. As such the LPA cannot reasonably conclude that harm to bats has been sufficiently avoided or mitigated. Accordingly, the scheme fails to satisfy the advice within the NPPF at paragraphs 8c, 174 and 179 whilst also representing a material conflict with policies SP8 of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD and policies DM44 and DM52 of the Development Management DPD (insofar as ecology and species impact is concerned).

Outline application for erection of 7 dwellings with associated access and landscaping.

Officers informed the committee that item A6 23/00567/OUT Land South of Aldcliffe Hall Lane had been withdrawn from the agenda by the applicant.

Erection of a side extension and creation of an additional parking area to the rear (pursuant to the variation of condition 3 in relation to surface water drainage and maintenance regime on planning permission 22/01137/FUL).

It was proposed by Councillor Robert Redfern and seconded by Councillor Martin Gawith:

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”

Upon being put to the vote, 12 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.    Timescales;

2.    Development to accord with plans;

3.    Development to accord with drainage details;

4.    Implementation of AIA.

Listed building application for the installation of a new rear service door including a roller shutter, replacement windows and door, alterations to courtyard windows and internal alterations including alterations to doors, new partitions, new ramp and freestanding booth.

It was proposed by Councillor Sandra Thornberry and seconded by Councillor Tom Fish:

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report as recommended by the Planning Officer.”

Upon being put to the vote, 12 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report as recommended by the Planning Officer:

1.    Standard Listed Building Consent Timescale;

2.    Works in Accordance with Approved Plans and Details;

3.    Details of external works.

The Chief Officer - Planning and Climate Change submitted a Schedule of Planning Applications dealt with under the Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions to Officers.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.