Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officers’ presentation Councillor Lloyd of North Fambridge Parish Council addressed the Committee.

Councillor Miss S White, a Ward Member, felt that the comments raised by the Parish Council in respect of lighting were valid and Condition 6 should be amended to request the height of lighting poles be reduced to take into consideration wildlife and nature on the site.  In response the Senior Development Control Officer explained that the reasons why this change to the condition could not be applied as nothing had materially changed but advised that an informative could be added suggesting that a sensitive lighting scheme be implemented.

In response to comments from Members, the Lead Specialist Place advised that a variation of conditions application provides the Council opportunity to review conditions, the proposed revised conditions had taken into account changes to Government Guidance one of which was that prior to commencement should not be used.

Councillor Miss White proposed that a condition be added seeking that the lighting strategy be brought back for Member approval.  In response the Lead Specialist Place provided some guidance regarding requiring conditions to be brought back to the Committee as this was delegated to Officers.  He further explained and gave example of where the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance had used his delegated powers to send an item back to the Committee.

It was further clarified that the Ecological Mitigation Strategy (EMS) had been approved under the previous DET permission and would apply to this application.  Any lighting scheme submitted would have to be sensitive as part of the EMS.

The Chairman then proposed that the Officers recommendation of approval as set out in the report be agreed and this was duly seconded.  Upon a vote being taken this motion was declared lost.

A discussion ensued and in response the Lead Specialist Place advised that in relation to Members’ concerns regarding ecology and lighting taking into account the DET application which had been agreed it would be reasonable to vary proposed condition 6 to accommodate details from the DET and make the condition clearer that the two matters were dealt with together.

Councillor Mrs P A Channer proposed that the application be approved as set out in the report subject to an amendment to condition 6, the wording revised condition to be agreed with the Chairman of the Committee and Ward Members.  This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken agreed.

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the applicant entering into a deed of variation legal agreement to tie the Section 106 legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 481