Agenda and minutes

The following site was 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 Cregan registered a personal interest in Plans Item 3a (Land lying to the north east of 52 Temple Avenue, York) as a City of York Council member of the Derwenthorpe Partnership Forum.

Councillor Morley registered a personal interest in Plans Item 3a (Land lying to the north east of 52 Temple Avenue, York) as a City of York Council member of the Derwenthorpe Partnership Forum and Chair of the Environmental Sub Group for the scheme.

Councillor Wiseman registered a personal interest in Plans Item 3a (Land lying to the north east of 52 Temple Avenue, York) as a City of York Council member of the Derwenthorpe Partnership Forum.

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 28^th May 2008 at 5pm.

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.

Two detached dwellings with associated access, landscaping and parking [Osbaldwick Ward]

Members considered a full application, submitted by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, for two detached dwellings with associated access, landscaping and parking.

Officers updated that a sustainability statement had now been received for the two properties, details of which were circulated at the meeting. He confirmed that an outline master plan had been approved for the whole of the Derwenthorpe site, which had had been accompanied by an indicative plan of how the site might be developed. He also confirmed that the location of these two properties was generally in line with the earlier approval and that this would not prejudice the application for the entire site.

Representations were made and questions asked on behalf of the Meadlands Area Residents Association (MARA). He stated that he supported the calling in of the application as local residents had followed the planning process for this site for 9 years and he felt that this submission added confusion to the process. He questioned why this application had not been made in relation to Phase 1 of the development. He also referred to the various committees and sub groups involved in the overall scheme to which none of the residents groups were involved or invited. He stated that residents wished to be kept informed through their residents meetings of progress with this site.

Representations, in objection to the application, were received from a representative of the Friends of Osbaldwick Meadows, who also referred to his confusion as to how this application could be considered in isolation of the larger scheme. He stated that the proposed dwellings were totally out of character with adjacent properties in Temple Avenue. He also referred to para. 4.8 of the Officers report, which stated that no highway works would be required at this stage. He felt that road widening would be required to allow construction vehicles access to the site. He also stated that access to the site would not be possible until October as a hedge ran along the site boundary, which could not be removed whilst it contained nesting birds. He requested Members to refuse the application until all these matters were fully resolved.

Representations in support of the application were received from the Director of Development at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. He referred to the sustainability statement, circulated at the meeting, and confirmed that the Trust were committed to ensuring that they could deliver the sustainable buildings required under the terms of the Section 106 Agreement. Their aim being to obtain the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 on Phase 1 and make improvements on this as the development proceeded. He confirmed that this site had been chosen as the access and all services were readily available. The properties would be forward of the building line to mark the entrance to the site and would contain a feature dormer window and a covered balcony as additional amenity space.

In answer to Members questions, Officers confirmed that if a start was to be made on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115a

Renewal of temporary consent for a prefabricated building [Wheldrake Ward]

Consideration was given to a full application, submitted by the Board of Governors of Wheldrake C of E Primary School, for the renewal of a temporary consent for a prefabricated building.

Officers circulated a statement of justification for the retention of the temporary building with reference to the requirements of Policy GP23 of the Local Plan received from the Head teacher of the School.

Representations in support of the application were made by the Head teacher of Wheldrake Primary School. She clarified that the school did not wish to retain the building as a classroom. She stated that the school was required to meet the extended schools offer by 2010 and although they had recently completed an extension to the school there was still insufficient room to meet this need. An application had been made for funding for a Youth Annex at the School, which it was anticipated, would be completed within 30 months. The school had been approached by early years providers to use the temporary accommodation as they wished to increase their sessions locally rather than at Sutton on Derwent to stop children having to travel from Wheldrake, which would also assist local children in making the transition to the school. She agreed that it was only a temporary solution and that she appreciated that the Authority had a policy to remove temporary buildings.

Members pointed out that the original planning permission for an extension to the school had included the removal of the temporary classroom on completion of the works. They felt that a renewal of consent would be unreasonable and pointed out that this temporary building was now 13 years old. They questioned whether the building would be used to raise additional funds for the school and whether community use would be a change of use.

Following discussion it was

RESOLVED:             That the application be refused.

REASON:                  On the basis of the information supplied, the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that any specific justification exists for the continued retention of the building on the site, or that any firm proposals exist for the replacement of the building with a more permanent structure, and thus it is considered that the proposal conflicts with Policy GP23 (paragraphs b & c) of the City of York Council Draft Local Plan.