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 disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 27 October 2016 and 17 November 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meetings held on 27 October and 17 November 2016 be approved and then signed by the Chair as correct records.

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 Tuesday 13 December 2016. 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 Officers for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

Filming or Recording Meetings

Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed 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 Officers (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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

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 Planning Committee.

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

Erection of a standalone retail unit and associated restaurant/refreshment units, reorganisation of internal vehicular routes and car parking, replacement of retail facades and associated landscape improvements. [Huntington/New Earswick Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application by the trustees of the Monks Cross Shopping Park for the erection of a stand alone retail unit and associated restaurant/refreshment units, reorganisation of internal vehicular routes and car parking, replacement of retail facades and associated landscape improvements.

Officers advised that, should Members be minded to approve the application, as it represented out of town centre retail development of more than 2500 square metres which, when combined with existing  floor space, would exceed 5000 square metres, then the application must be referred to  Secretary of State. Planning permission cannot be granted for a period of 21 days following the start of the referral to allow the Secretary of State to considerwhether he wishes to call in the application. (The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009). They advised Members that their recommendation was therefore to approve the application following referral to the Secretary of State.

Officers updated the committee on the following suggested amendments to conditions:

·        Condition 2 – to be amended to include updated plans.

·        Condition 3 and 4 to be combined and wording tightened up.

·        Definition to be included at the start of the decision notice for “freestanding units” and “refreshments pods”.

·        Conditions 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17 to be amended to tighten up trigger points and provide clarification on references to units.

·        Condition 22 – to be amended to tighten up wording and recognise the fact that there is an existing Monks Cross Shopping Park Travel Plan in place, which can be amended.

With regard to landscaping, officers advised that the landscape officer had expressed concern about the level of replacement tree planting within the car parking area. This had been addressed with a revised plan to show a line of 5 trees to the western side of the parking as suggested by the officer. Concern had also been raised about the loss of part of a beech hedge and pear tree belt to the North of the access roundabout. Officers advised that, while the landscaping proposed to be removed had not been reinstated, there had been some additional planting to strengthen the retained landscaping shown on the revised plan.

Officers informed the committee that a further letter of objection from Pizza Hut has been received since the report was written. This reiterated their concerns about the proposed change to the height of the canopy above their unit and the impact it would have on the amenity of customers sitting outside the unit. Officers advised that these concerns were not material planning considerations but that Pizza Hut had confirmed that they were withdrawing their objection following positive discussion with the applicant.

Mr Eric Hall, Planning Manager for the applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application. He acknowledged that the shopping park was looking outdated and these proposals would allow for its refurbishment with replacement facades, a new entrance to the site, additional landscaping and improvements to car parking arrangements. As there was no current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Erection of 22.5m monopole to support 3no. telecommunications antennae for shared use by Vodafone and Telefonica, which together with the installation of 2no. dishes and 3no. ground based equipment cabinets will provide 3G and 4G mobile electronic communication services from the installation. [Wheldrake Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by Shared Access and CTIL for the erection of a 22.5m monopole to support three telecommunications antennae for shared use by Vodafone and Telefonica, which together with the installation of two dishes and three ground based equipment cabinets will provide 3G and 4G mobile electronic communication services from the installation.

Mr Edward Senior of Pegasus Group, agent for the applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application. He made the following comments:

·        Proposal provided improved telecommunications coverage to an area which was not presently well served.

·        Alternative sites had been considered but no appropriate sites outside the green belt had been found.

·        Opportunities for partnerships were rare and this proposal provided direct benefit to lower Derwent Sports and Social Club. Investment into the club would aid required improvements

·        Pre- application consultation had been undertaken with primary school, parish council etc and approx 30 local residents had been written to – no objections had been received.

·        Discrete location and design for mast had been chosen to minimise impact on greenbelt and surroundings

·        It was a remote site with little residential development nearby

Members commended the decision to paint the mast green so it would blend in with its immediate location set against the trees. Members agreed that telecommunications masts were a necessity of modern living and noted that this area was not presently well served. They felt that much thought had gone into the mast’s design and location in order to mitigate its impact on the green belt and agreed that it would be screened to a large extent by the woodland.

Resolved:  That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report.

Reason:    The applicant has indicated that the siting of the proposal provides improved telecommunications coverage to an area that is presently not well served. In the circumstances of this case the need for the mast and the evidence of a lack of suitable alternative sites outside the Green Belt is considered to clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt by way of inappropriateness and any other harm, even when giving substantial weight to such harm. There are no other material planning considerations that would warrant refusal of the application.

Change of use of land to a caravan and camping site. [Rural West York Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by Mr Edward David Preston for the change of use of land to a caravan and camping site.

Officers advised that following receipt of new information at the Members’ Site Visit, they were now recommending that the application be deferredfor consideration at a future meeting.

Resolved:  That consideration of the application be deferred to a future meeting.

Reason:     In order that clarification could be sought on various aspects of the application.