Agenda and minutes

TheChairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and took Members through somegeneral housekeeping issues together with the etiquette for themeeting. He then asked Officers present to introduce themselves.

This was followed by aroll call of all Members present.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor B E Harker.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 June 2020, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 June 2020 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor M S Heard, K M H Lagan, C Morris, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy and, Mrs J C Stilts declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda Item 5 - 20/00210/HOUSE, 46 Wentworth Meadows, Maldon, as they knew the applicant

Councillor C Mayes declared a non-pecuniary in Agenda Item 5 - 20/00210/HOUSE, 46 Wentworth Meadows, Maldon, as she knew the applicant and was the Ward Member for Maldon North.

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

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Chairman addressed two public participation submissions, one from Supporters, Ivor and Kay Newman and one from the Applicant, Jack Ellum.

He then moved the Officer’s recommendation that planning application 20/00210/HOUSE -46 Wentworth Meadows be refused for the reasons as detailed in Section 8 of the report. This was not seconded.

Councillor Morris proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation and this was seconded.

A debate ensued around the reasons for refusal in the Officer’s report, in particular the issue of private amenity space. Other concerns were raised about the retention of young families in the area and the need to expand to accommodate growing families.

The Lead Specialist Place, addressing the issue of amenity space, reminded the Committee of the need for consistency in the application of the policy.  He said that this application represented a shortfall of over 40% of amenity space under the current standards which would have a detrimental impact on current and future residents. He advised that this authority consistently adhered to the acceptable standard of amenity space (3 or more bedrooms requiring 100sqm of amenity space) and by not doing could create a dangerous precedent for both new builds and the Planning Inspectorate.  With reference to retention of families he advised that unfortunately personal circumstances had to be very special in order to be considered and that these were not in this instance.

The Chairman, at this juncture, urged Members of the Committee to rule with their heads as opposed to their hearts when forming their decision. Councillor Swain raised a point of order in that he had seconded the first recommendation from the Officer to refuse the application but that due to technology delays this had not been acknowledged and this was noted.

The Chairman indicated that in the light of the circumstances, he would call for a vote on Councillor Morris’ proposal first and should it be necessary, revert to a vote on the Officer’s recommendation. He asked Councillor Morris for reasons to approve the application. Councillor Morris reasoned that the design was acceptable and there was no detrimental impact on the character of the area.

The Chairman put Councillor Morris’ proposal to approve the application to the Committee. Upon a vote being taken it was lost.

The Chairman then put the Officer’s recommendation to refuse the application to the Committee. Upon a vote being taken it was approved.

 RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1                 The proposed development by reason of its scale and design would result in a large, dominant and bulky addition, particularly due to the depth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1069.

There were none and the Chairman took the opportunity to thank all present for their support and input.