Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone present and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N R Miller.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 April 2023, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 April 2023 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B 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).

Councillors J C Stilts, N G F Shaughnessy, K Jennings and A M Lay declared a non-registerable interest for agenda item 5 23/00490/FUL - The Kings Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, Essex, in that they knew the applicant.

Councillor P L Spenceley declared a non-registerable interest for agenda item 5 23/00490/FUL - The Kings Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, Essex, in that she knew the applicant and was fellow trustee of the Maldon Festival.

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

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Agent, Mr Farley, addressed the Committee.

A debate ensued around the change of use, the impact to nature in the area, the listed building impact and the visitor study that was referenced in the report.

In response to questions raised by Members the Head of Development Management (HoDM) gave the following responses:

·        The Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) payment would be applied due to the additional footfall generated due to new type of use.

·        The change of use request would need to be seriously considered and more information around the viability of the proposal would need to be given for the application to be considered for approval.

Councillor J C Stilts proposed to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation.

The debate continued around the potential benefit to tourism and the lack of information received from the applicant to support the applications viability at which time Councillor K M H Lagan proposed to defer the application until more information and clarifications could be provided, this was seconded by Councillor P L Spenceley.

Councillor Stilts then amended her initial proposal to include a condition that the applicant would need to make a RAMS payment and that more information would need to be provided by the applicant, this was seconded by Councillor K Jennings and when put to the vote, was not agreed.

The Chairperson then put the proposal from Councillor Lagan to the Committee and upon a vote was agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be DEFERRED until more information and clarifications are provided.