Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed representation received from Great Totham Parish Council.

During the Officer’s presentation a verbal update regarding legal agreement had been provided to overcome the third reason for refusal.  However proof of the checking fee had not been provided and therefore Officers proposed that reason for refusal 3 remained. 

A debate ensued around the brownfield site, its status as employment land and its location in relation to nearby housing estates.  In response to Members questions the Lead Specialist Place confirmed that the site was currently in use as B1 employment land and could be adjacent to a household without causing harm.

The Chairman then moved the Officer’s recommendation that the application be refused for the reasons as set out in section 8 of the report.  This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken the motion was declared lost.

Reasons for approval were discussed.  The Lead Specialist Place advised Members there was a need to have regard to reasons for refusal as well as the sites planning history, that it was not within a settlement boundary and the loss of employment land.

In response to the debate the Lead Specialist Place advised the Committee it could defer consideration of this application to its next meeting and Officers provide additional information but new information could not be brought into the reason for approval.

Councillor M F L Durham, proposed that the Committee defer the application for further information, this was duly seconded.  Upon a vote being taken the motion was declared lost.

Councillor J V Keyes proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officers’ recommendation and gave reasons for approval.  This was duly seconded.  Reasons for approval were discussed, guidance provided by Officers and the Chairman clarified that the reason for approval was that the gain of the three dwellings outweighed the loss of employment land.  The Chairman put the proposed approval to the Committee for the reason outlined.  Prior to voting on this the Lead Specialist Place suggested that conditions be delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairman and Ward Members.  Upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairman and Ward Members.