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, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20^th February 2014.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last meeting held on 20^th February 2014 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 on Wednesday 19^th March 2014. 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.

Filming or Recording Meetings

“Please note that an audio recording will be made of this meeting and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission. This recording can be played back at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Members then considered a report of the Assistant Director (Development Services, Planning and Regeneration) relating to the following planning application, which outlined the proposals and relevant planning considerations and set out the views of the consultees and officers.

A major full application for the change of use of existing agricultural land to an extension of the existing Pikehills Golf Course, Tadcaster Road, York. [Rural West York Ward] [Site Visit]

Consideration was given to a major full application by Pike Hills Golf Club for the change of use of 7.7 hectares of agricultural land (O.S Field 4223 and 5014) to golf course.

Officers gave a brief update to advise that an additional condition was being proposed in order to ensure that the current policies and practices relating to the prevention of pesticides and fertilisers entering Askham Bog continue. The condition is as follows:

Prior to first use of the hereby approved development, a land and drainage management plan for the golf course and extension,   incorporating details to ensure the prevention of fertilisers and pesticides used at the course (as extended) from entering the adjacent Askham Bog Site of Special Scientific Interest, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The plan shall thereafter be implemented fully in accordance with the agreed details.

Reason: To safeguard the habitat and ecology of the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

David Chapman was in attendance on behalf of Pikehills Golf Club. He advised that the land in question had been purchased 10 years ago by the Club but it had continued to be worked on as agricultural land. The planning application was being renewed as the previous permission granted in 2004 had lapsed. The Golf Club will develop the land for use as a golf course once funding permits.

In response to members questions, Officers confirmed that the  application had to be reconsidered as per the committee report despite being previously approved, but the proposal is considered to be beneficial as it would have minimal ecological impact.

Following further discussion it was:

Resolved:           That delegated authority be given to approve the application subject to the ecological survey requested being acceptable and conditions outlined in the officers report and the additional condition outlined above.

Reason:              It is considered that the proposed change of use of the existing arable land to golf course is acceptable in principle within the Green Belt, constituting appropriate development, subject to the requested survey confirming the anticipated minimal ecological impact on the site.