Agenda and minutes

The following sites were inspected before the meeting:

At this point, members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Simpson-Laing declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Plans Item 4b(Elvington Airfield, Elvington Lane, Elvington,York) as she knew one of the speakers.

Councillor Horton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Plans Item 4b(Elvington Airfield, Elvington Lane, Elvington,York) as he knew one of the speakers.

Councillor Richard Watson declared a a personal and prejudicial interest in Plans Item 4b(Elvington Airfield, Elvington Lane, Elvington,York) as he had worked in a professional capacity for nature conservation organisations.

Councillor Jamieson-Ball stood down from the Committee under the Planning Code of Good Conduct as he had already expressed a view on Plans Item 4b (Elvington Airfield, Elvington Lane, Elvington,York). He spoke from the floor as Ward Councillor and took no part in the debate thereon.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 27^th March 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5pm the day before the meeting. Members of the public can speak on specific planning applications or on other agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general issues within the remit of the Committee.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning applications:

Members considered a schedule of reports of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development) relating to the following planning applications, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views and advice of consultees and officers.

Change of use from agricultural to nature conservation area [Huntington and New Earswick Ward]

Members considered a major full application , submitted by Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust for the change of use from agricultural to a nature conservation area.

The case officer updated that an additional condition would be added in relation to a habitat creation scheme. The full details of this condition are listed in the resolution below.

Representations were received in support of the application from a resident of Osbaldwick who praised the creation of an 18 acre nature reserve. He said that it was a fantastic opportunity for all local people to be able to  access a wildlife area.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions detailed in the report and the following additional condition:¹

·              No development shall take place until full details of the habitat creation scheme have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and these works shall be carried out as approved. These details include:

(i)                 Purpose, aims and objectives for the scheme;

(ii)               Description of target habitats and range of species appropriate for the site;

(iii)             Selection of appropriate strategies for creating target habitats;

(iv)              Selection of specific techniques and practices for establishing vegetation;

(v)                Sources of habitat materials (e.g. plant stock) or species individuals;

(vi)              Method statement for site preparation and establishment of target features;

(vii)            Aftercare and long term management;

(viii)          Timing of the works;

(ix)              Monitoring;

All habitat creation works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details above, unless otherwise approved in writing by the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interests of good nature conservation and biodiversity.

REASON:                  That the proposals, subject to the conditions detailed in the report and above would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the loss of agricultural land and the impact on the living conditions of neighbours. As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1, GP14 and NE7 of the City of York Draft Local Plan.

Erection of aircraft hangars (resubmission) [Heslington Ward]

Members considered a major full application submitted by Elvington Park Ltd for the erection of aircraft hangars (resubmission).

This proposal has a long planning history and is now the subject of an appeal against non-determination by the Council. In such circumstances it is no longer possible for the Council to determine the application. The purpose of the report is to establish the formal attitude of the Committee to the proposals for use in the forthcoming Public Inquiry.

Officers updated that an additional reason for opposition would be added in relation to Nature Conservation. The site was a very important one in relation to grassland and birds and an increase in development and aircraft movement would be detrimental. A full and detailed assessment of the wildlife and grass types on the site had been requested from the applicants but the information had not yet been provided. Further details for the reasons for this opposition are shown in the resolution below.

The following updates were also reported:

·        In relation to paragraph 1.2 of the report the Planning Inspectorate had confirmed that the Appeal would take place.

·        The Highways Development Team had provided further comments as follows:

·        They were unable to comment on the access roads as drawings were not available

·        In relation to Halifax Way – a sight line can be achieved northwards but the sight line to the south is obscured by overgrown vegetation.

·        The Traffic Impact Assessment showed that there were currently adequate parking spaces but there were doubts if any growth could be accommodated. The Applicant had been asked to submit further supporting evidence.

·        No extra problems are envisaged at the Halifax Way/Elvington Lane Junction

·        Sustainable transport options are limited at this site

·        Additional traffic movements on the Grimston Bar roundabout would be less than 5%. Anything over 5% would create severe concerns.

In light of the above refusal reason number 3 would be amended as detailed in the resolution.

The following additional representations had been received:

·        A letter had been received from the planning consultants; this was circulated to Members at the meeting.  The letter raised points in relation to the report that had submitted to the Planning Committee. In response the officer explained that, notwithstanding several letters from the Council requesting further information, there were still matters outstanding. Figures on past and anticipated future aircraft movements are especially needed.

·        A letter of support had been received from a resident of Dunnington   who welcomed the proposals and believed that they would create an opportunity for bringing highly paid and skilled jobs to the area. The letter also expressed the view that the flight paths would not affect many people.

·        A letter in objection had been received from a local resident who raised concerns regarding noise, loss of amenity, environmental matters and increases in air traffic.

·        An e-mail in objection had been received. This raised points in relation to the proposals being a ‘blot on the landscape’, especially the size of the proposed hangars.

·        A letter of objection had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63b

Colour copies of the Masterplan have been sent to all Members of the Planning Committee. Members of the public can view a copy of the Masterplan by contacting the Democracy Officer detailed at the foot of this agenda.

This report advises Members of the draft design brief and masterplan for the new university campus at Heslington East.  The brief/masterplan has been submitted by the University of York pursuant to condition 11 of the outline consent for the new campus, granted by the Secretary of State in 2007.  The condition requires that a detailed design brief including a masterplan shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority before the start of development.  The proposals are before Members for information.  Formal determination is delegated to officers in accordance with standard procedures for submissions pursuant to conditions.

Members considered a report that advised them of the draft design brief and masterplan for the new university campus at Heslington East. The brief/masterplan has been submitted by the University of York pursuant to condition 11 of the outline consent for the new campus granted by the Secretary of State in 2007. The condition requires that a detailed design brief including a masterplan be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority before the start of the development. Formal determination is delegated to officers in accordance with standard procedures and therefore the report was before Members for information only.

Members received a presentation from the architects in relation to the masterplan.

Members discussed matters relating to monitoring density levels, provision of sports facilities, security and safety on the proposed campus, the timing of the implementation of the travel and transit system, extension of the Number 4 bus route, cost of maintaining the landscaped areas and sustainable drainage.

RESOLVED:             That Members noted the proposals in the masterplan.

REASON:                  To keep Members fully informed and to assist with their consideration of the forthcoming reserved matters applications.