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 at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Sunderland declared a personal non prejudicial interest in plans item 4b (Brackenhill, Askham Bryan Lane, York) as she uses one of the taxi firms that is based there and knows the owner of the taxi firm (though not on a personal basis).

She also advised the Chair that, in respect of plans item 4c (Church of St James the Deacon, Sherringham Drive, York), she had received a telephone call and been approached by somebody in relation to the application but had informed them that she was a member of the Committee and could not therefore discuss the application with them.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the West & City Centre Area Planning Sub-Committee held on Thursday, 15 January 2009.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2009 be approved and signed by the Chair.

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 working day before the meeting – in this case, Wednesday 11 February 2009. 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, listed in the contact details information 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 Sub-Committee.

Members will consider a schedule of reports of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development), relating to planning applications with an outline the proposals and relevant policy considerations and the views and advice of consultees and officers.

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.

Part change of use from residential (Class C3) to guest house (Class C1), including two storey and single storey pitched roof side extension, detached single storey garage building.  [Bishopthorpe Ward] [Site Visit].

Members considered an application for part change of use from residential (Class C3) to guest house (Class C1) including a two storey and single storey pitched roof side extension and a detached single storey garage building.

The Planning Area Team Leader advised Members that the policy reference given for the recommendation of refusal should be changed from V1 to V3.

Representations were received from the applicant in support of the application. He informed Members that he had lived in the house for 10 years and in the village for even longer and understood the need to maintain the look and feel of the village. He advised Members that his immediate neighbours had been supportive of his plans for development and that the construction of a garage would provide parking for an extra vehicle and also storage for bicycles. He stated that, in respect of environmental issues, his hope was to be able to provide bicycles for use by guests and the nearby bus stop would provide guests with easy access to public transport.

Officers advised that, although the application site was not within the conservation area, the proximity of the conservation area needed to be considered in reaching a decision. Members discussed the reasons for refusal given in the report but did not agree that these were sufficient grounds to refuse the application. At the request of Members, the Area Team Leader circulated a list of suggested conditions which could be attached to the application if Members decided to grant it.

RESOLVED:That the application be approved subject to the conditions and informatives listed below:

1             The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following plans:-

Drawing Number 0805.4 received 25 November 2008

Drawing Number 0805.5 received 25 November 2008

Drawing Number 0805.6 received 25 November 2008

Drawing Number 0805.7 received 25 November 2008;

or any plans or details subsequently agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority as amendment to the approved plans.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the development is carried out only as approved by the Local Planning Authority.

 2            The development shall be begun not later than the expiration of the three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To ensure compliance with Sections 91 to 93 and Section 56 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by section 51 of the Compulsory Purchase Act

 3            The materials to be used externally shall match those of the existing buildings in colour, size, shape and texture.

Reason:  To achieve a visually acceptable form of development.

 4            The three ground floor windows in the west elevation facing 1 Croft Court shall at all times be obscure glazed to a standard equivalent to Pilkington Glass level 3 or above and remain fixed.

Reason:  In the interests of the amenities of occupants of adjacent residential properties.

 5            The garage shall not be converted to living accommodation unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58a

Erection of a replacement building for repair of motor vehicles and storage. [Rural West York Ward]  [Site Visit].

Members considered a full application from Mr Richard Shipley for the erection of a replacement building for repair of motor vehicles.

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

REASON:                  The Proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the openness of the green belt and amenity.  As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and GB1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.

Single storey extension to north elevation to create church hall, and construction of car park (resubmission) [Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward]  [Site Visit].

Members considered a full application from the Parochial Church Council for a single storey extension to the north elevation to create a church hall and the construction of a car park.

Representations were received from a local resident in objection to the application. His concerns related to the disposal of surface water and the proposed use of soakaways, that a car park with a grass surface would lead to people parking on the road in wet conditions and that noise levels emanating from the hall may be high.

Representations were also received from the Reverend of the Church of St James the Deacon in support of the application. He advised Members that good relations with neighbours were important to the Church. He stated that he had had detailed negotiations with planning officers and had amended the proposals in view of discussions in order to come to a proposal which suited all those concerned. He reported that he understood the concerns about drainage but that these had been addressed and in respect of the noise issue, he advised the Committee that the Church Hall would have few windows and these would be double glazed. The Reverend answered Members queries in relation to noise concerns and hire arrangements.

Members raised concerns about drainage. Officers advised that Condition 12 required the applicant to submit details of the proposed surface water drainage system to be approved by the Council and if the Council determined that soakaways were not practical, the applicant would have to consider other options.

Members commented that the car parking at the front made good use of the available space and the use of a geo-textile grid would prevent the grass from being churned up even in wet conditions. They also agreed that that the church hall would provide an additional amenity to the neighbourhood.

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

REASON:                  The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to visual impact, residential amenity, highway safety and flood risk.  As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and C1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.