Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Councillor Simpson-Laing declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Plans item 4a) -Travellers Caravan Site, Outgang Lane, Osbaldwick (Planning Application 13/02704/GRG3) in her role as Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services, involved in the bid to the Homes and Communities Agency to acquire funding for the site. She confirmed that she would not be taking part, as a Member of the Planning Committee in the discussion or voting thereon.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 19^th September 2013.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last meeting of the Planning Committee held on 19 September 2013 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 Wednesday 23^rd October 2013. 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.

Cllr Warters, spoke in relation to the general remit of the Committee, firstly in relation to the Section 106 payment attached to the Derwenthorpe scheme, expressing concerns that the obligations were not being enforced. Secondly regarding a letter sent to the authority in November 2012, from the Meadlands Residents Association, raising reserved matters concerns relating to surface water drainage and the water table on the Derwenthorpe site which still remained unanswered.

Members then considered two reports of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development) relating to the following planning applications, which outlined the proposals and relevant planning considerations and set out the views of the consultees and officers.

A General Regulations application for an extension to existing travellers site to accommodate 6 additional pitches with associated amenity buildings, amenity space with 2 metre high fence surround, grazing areas and shelters for horses. Provision of additional land to the south of existing site to allow for expansion of existing pitches and space for future portakabin site office. [Osbaldwick Ward] [Site Visit].

Consideration was given to a general regulations application (Reg3), submitted by Ms Kate Grandfield, for an extension to the existing travellers site to accommodate 6 No. additional pitches with associated amenity buildings, amenity space with a 2 metre high fence surround, grazing areas and shelters for horses. In addition the provision of additional land to the south of the existing site to allow for expansion of the existing pitches and space for a future portakabin site office.

Officers provided an update to confirm that the applicant had submitted a drainage layout which included the means of attenuation. The list of plans for approval had been updated to include this addition.

Members went on to question a number of points raised at the earlier site meeting including:

·        Details of the fence line and type on the strip of land between pitches 1 to 4. Details to be confirmed.

·        Information re the shortfall in pitches.

·        Details of modifications to the existing amenity building.  

·        Reference to Outgang Lane as a Public Right of Way (PROW), requested assessment of reduction in usage following blockage.

David Shaw, a local farmer, raised objections to the proposed expansion of the site, particularly as the present site appeared to have had little management until recently. Reference was made to holes in the existing fences which allowed travellers horses to graze on his land, damaging crops and hedges and often straying on to nearby roads. He asked Members to support the replacement of the fence with a high wall to overcome existing problems.

Denise Rothwell, made representations on behalf of Murton Parish Council to the expansion of the site, referring to anti social behaviour, trespass and damage to crops by site residents, many of which went unreported. A request was made for better site management and site improvements prior to the granting of planning permission. 

Peter Broadley, spoke on behalf of Holtby Parish Council, raising objections to the application and confirming his support for earlier speakers comments. Although a small village comprising 50 dwellings and 10 farms Holtby residents also suffered criminal damage to land and property. It was felt that an expansion of the site would exacerbate current problems. A request was made for a protocol or policies to deal with traveller’s horses.

Cllr Warters, made reference to earlier speaker’s comments and the recent site visit pointing out that, the current problems relating to the site had arisen as a result of negligible management on site. Particular reference was made to overcrowding, previous conditions imposed which had required the provision of a site office and warden, to intimidation of users of the adjacent PROW and he circulated photographs of site conditions prior to a recent clean up. Figures provided in the Local Plan for future pitch requirements were questioned and suggested for independent examination. He requested Members to refuse the application in view of these issues.

In answer to a number of questions, Kate Grandfield, the applicant, and the Planning Officers made the following points:

·        Existing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25a

A major full application for the erection of 59 dwellings with associated works following demolition of existing buildings (resubmission). [Huntington and New Earswick Ward] [Site Visit]

Consideration was given to a major full application, submitted by Ben Bailey Homes and Stirling Scotfield (Ebor) LLP, for the erection of 59 dwellings with associated works, following demolitions of existing buildings (resubmission).

Councillor D’Agorne left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of this item.

Officers provided an update in which they requested revisions to Conditions 8, 9, 23 and 33 for further clarity. A copy of the full wording of the revised conditions, circulated at the meeting, have been added to the online agenda for information.

Following a request, Officers confirmed that the requirement for a lighting scheme would allow the authority to ensure that wildlife would not be unduly affected by the lighting proposals. The Chair also confirmed that the proposed conditions covered the removal of the chicanes on Huntington Road and their replacement with permanent traffic calming measures.

Tom Cook, spoke in support of the scheme as the applicants agent, referring to consultation undertaken and extensive pre application discussion with Officers prior to submission of the application. It was pointed out that the site was in a sustainable location, close to public transport routes and made good use of a vacant site.

Cllr Orrell, as a Ward Member, confirmed details of the developer’s community involvement prior to submission of the application this had included both Ward Members, residents and the Parish Council which had worked well. He expressed support for the proposals but raised some concerns regarding the flat roofs proposed on some properties and the lack of details relating to the new traffic calming measures.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved:           That the application be approved subject to a Section 106 agreement, the imposition of the conditions contained in the Officers report, together with the following amended conditions and informative:

Condition 8 - Prior to the occupation of the dwellings a full lighting scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This scheme shall detail the locations, heights, design and lux of all external lighting. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved lighting scheme.

Condition 9 - Prior to occupation of the dwellings a detailed landscaping scheme which shall illustrate the number, species, height and position of trees and shrubs shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This scheme shall be implemented within a period of six months of the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless alternatives are agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Condition 23 - Prior to the commencement of any works on the site, a detailed method of works statement identifying the programming and management of site clearance/preparatory and construction works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25b

This report informs Members of the Council’s performance in relation to appeals determined by the Planning Inspectorate from 1^st July  to 30^th September  2013.

Members considered a report which informed them of the Council’s performance in relation to appeals determined by the Planning Inspectorate from 1 July to 30 September 2013. Details of the salient points from the appeals were also reported.

It was noted that in order to regain previous performance levels Officers had continued to impose high standards of design and visual treatment in the assessment of applications and where significant planning issues were identified revisions were sought at an early stage.

Resolved:           That the Council’s appeals performance during this period be noted.

Reason:              To inform Members of the current position in relation to planning appeals against the Council’s decisions as determined by the Planning Inspectorate, over the last 6 months and year.