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 Vassie declared a personal prejudicial interest in item 3a (Hallfield Road, York) as the Executive Member for Leisure & Culture.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion and decision on this item.

Councillor Moore declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 3b (Plot E, Airfield Business Park, Whitley Road, Elvington, York) as one of the trustees of the Yorkshire Air Museum was known to him.

Councillor Wiseman declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 3b (Plot E, Airfield Business Park, Whitley Road, Elvington, York) as the chair of the board of trustees of the Yorkshire Air Museum was known to her.

Councillor Pierce declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 3b (Plot E, Airfield Business Park, Whitley Road, Elvington, York) as a former pilot.

Councillor Morley declared a personal prejudicial interest in item 3b (Plot E, Airfield Business Park, Whitley Road, Elvington, York) as he was the solicitor for one of the objectors.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion and decision on this item.

Councillor D’Agorne declared a personal  non-prejudicial interest in item 3c (The Coach House, Fulford Chase, York) as he had objected to previous applications on the site, which had affected his property, and confirmed that this application did not affect his property.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Sub-Committee’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Wednesday 26 September 2007 at 5.00pm.

It was reported that nobody had registered to speak, under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, on general issues within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

To determine the following planning applications related to the East Area.

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.

Erection of sculpture at junction of cycle path with Hallfield Road and James Street link road [Heworth Ward].

Members considered a full application, submitted by City of York Council, for the erection of a sculpture at the junction of a cycle path with Hallfield Road and James Street link road.

Some Members expressed concern regarding the visual appearance of the sculpture and officers advised the quality of an individual piece of artwork was a matter of personal taste, rather than a planning consideration.

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

REASON:      In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to visual appearance, public amenity and highway safety. As such the proposal complies with policy GP1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.

Erection of 5 no. industrial units incorporating 1 no. single storey unit block and 1 no. four unit block with car parking/servicing courtyard and associated landscaping [ Wheldrake Ward].

Members considered a major full application, submitted by W. M. Birch and Sons Ltd., for the erection of 5 no. industrial units incorporating 1 no. single storey unit block and 1 no. four unit block with car parking/servicing courtyard and associated landscaping.

A copy of the case officer’s update had been circulated to Members.  It reported receipt of three further letters of objection and a letter from the Yorkshire Air Museum.  It also provided additional comments from the Council’s Landscaping Officer and wording for a revised condition 9, relating to protection of trees.  The case officer also verbally reported that the Council’s Network Management section had requested the inclusion of a number of highways conditions and an informative.  Copies of the most recent version of the plans were circulated to Members.

Representations were received in objection to the application, from the Director of the Yorkshire Air Museum, and in support of the application from the applicant.  The Director of the Yorkshire Air Museum also circulated a photographic plan of the site.

Members expressed concerns about the height and dominance of the proposed building in relation to the Air Museum, and its design, given that it was a landmark site at the Museum’s entrance.  They also expressed the view that innovative features needed to be incorporated to reduce run-off and therefore the risk of flooding.

Councillor Vassie moved and Councillor D’Agorne seconded a motion to refuse the application, on the grounds of harm to visual amenity through overdominance of the proposed building on the entrance to the Air Museum.  On being put to the vote, this motion was lost.

RESOLVED:That the application be deferred.

REASON:      To address the issues raised relating to height and dominance, design and reduction of run-off.

Single storey flat roof rear extension [Fishergate Ward].

Members considered a full application, submitted by John Harrington, for a single storey flat roof rear extension.

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

REASON:      In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to visual amenity, the Fulford Road conservation area, protected trees and residential amenity. As such the proposal complies with Policies H9 and E4 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan (Alteration No.3 Adopted 1995) and Policies HE2, HE3, H7 and T13 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.