Agenda and minutes

The Chairman drew attention to the list of notices published on the back of the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs P A Channer, CC, and D M Sismey.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 August 2018 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)                 that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 06 August 2018 be received.

Minute No. 327 – Land West of Fambridge Road, North Fambridge

An amendment to the minutes of the report so that it read:

“Breach of Sea Wall  Flood Risk

·         Excess surface water generated by the breach of the sea wall would not fall under Anglian Waters remit.

·         The existing pumping station has no flood protection measures even though it is in flood zone 3.”

RESOLVED

(ii)               that subject to the above amendment the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 06 August 2018 be 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 E L Bamford disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 7, FUL/MAL/18/00619 – Land West of Abbotswood, Beacon Hill, Great Totham as she knew the agent.

Councillor M F L Durham, CC as a Member of Essex County Council declared a non-pecuniary interest in all items.

Councillor J V Keyes disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in all items as he sits on Great Totham Parish Council.

Councillor M E Thompson disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 7, FUL/MAL/18/00619 – Land West of Abbotswood, Beacon Hill, Great Totham as she knew the agent.

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

The Officer presented their report to the Committee, after which Parish Councillor Simon Hollington, an Objector representing the local community, Mr Peter Martin, a Supporter and Chairman of the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust, and Mr Paul Goring, Director of Acoustic Logistic representing the Stow Maries Parish Council, addressed the Committee.

Members voiced concern over the requested increase in the number of flights and any potential adverse impact on neighbours.

The Chairman invited the Environmental Health Team Leader (Environmental Protection) to speak in regards to the item.

On addressing the Committee, the Environmental Health Team Leader (Environmental Protection) clarified that the perspective offered was impartial as and made the following points:

·       The request was an increase the limit of movements from twelve to thirty movements within a 24hour period outside of event periods. 

·       Thirty movements a day equates to a 2.5 times increase on the number of flights currently approved.

·       Thirty movements a day equates to an increase in noise levels to 4db.

·       4200 movements would need to be justified over a year, this averages out to eleven movements a day.  At present twelve movements a day are approved.

·       Excluding special event days, Officers had concerns over the type of aircraft expected to visit SMGWA.

·       It was accepted that the lowest adverse effect level will be approached.  This is in terms of area impact and is an intensification not a sudden impact.

·       The Noise Impact Assessment from Sharps Gayler LLP data is based on levels generated from a Cessna 172 which is the closest match to loudest aircraft on site.

On discussion of application concerns were raised on the closure of bridal paths during event days and over the impact on heritage buildings at the site, including the landing aircraft next to a listed building.  The Development Management Team Leader confirmed that the airstrips are 40meters and 60meters wide, it was noted that there would not be any harm to the setting of the heritage buildings. 

Members discussed that a short grass strip was suitable only for single engine, piston propeller driven aircraft, and that once in the air the aircraft are in the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  Members expressed concern that while the impact on neighbours was considered minimal, the increase in disturbance could have an adverse effect on local businesses and highways around the site.

Councillor Miss S White proposed that the application be approved but the maximum number of movements be limited to 900 flights per annum,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 389.

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

The Officer presented their report to the Committee, after which Adam Brown, the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

Following a brief discussion on the application the Chairman put the Officer’s recommendation to a vote, and the motion was duly carried.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and subject to the following conditions:

1                 Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any Order amending, revoking or re-enacting that Order), premises shall only be used for purposes falling within Use Class B8 of the Schedule to the Town & Country Planning Use Classes (Amendment) Order 2015 (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order) and for no other purpose.

2                 The use of the premises hereby approved shall only operate between 07:30 hours and 18:00 hours Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 hours and 13:00 hours on Saturdays and at no time on Sundays, Bank and Public Holidays.

3                 No machinery shall be operated nor shall any process be carried out and no deliveries or collections undertaken at the site other than between 08:00 hours and 17:30 hours on weekdays and between 08:00 hours and 13:00 hours on Saturdays and not at any time on Sundays and Public Holidays.

4                 With the exception of a forklift used in association with the deliveries on site, no machinery shall be used outside the buildings.

5                 No extraction or ventilation equipment, vents, air conditioning units or similar plant equipment shall be installed or fitted to any external part of the building except in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.   The scheme as approved and installed shall be retained as such thereafter.

6                 No external illumination shall be installed or fitted to any part of the site except in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The scheme as approved and installed shall be retained as such thereafter.No retail or wholesale sales shall operate from the site.

7                 No goods, materials, plant, machinery, skips, containers, packaging or other similar items associated with the use hereby permitted shall be stored or kept outside of the building on site.  

8                 Within three months from the date of this permission, provision shall be made to the rear of the application site for a parking area for ten (10) vehicles and adequate turning space.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 390.

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

The Officer presented their report to the Committee, after which Mr Chris Loon, from Springfield Planning and Development, spoke on behalf of the Applicant.

A short discussion ensued where Members expressed approval on the Parish Council being consulted.  It was noted that there would be little impact on neighbouring properties due to the height of trees along the boundary.

The Chairman put the Officer’s recommendation to a vote and the motion was duly carried.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall accord with that shown on drawing

No's, 1601/C/10, 16018/C/11, 1601/C/12, 1601/C/13, 1601/14m, 1601/18/C, 1601/C/16, 1601/17/C and 13873/JD/1 which are specifically referenced on this decision notice and forms part of this permission.

3.         No development shall take place until written details or samples of all materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved materials.

4.         Prior to the commencement of the development details of the surface water drainage scheme to serve the development shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. The agreed scheme shall be implemented prior to the first occupation of the development. The scheme shall ensure that for a minimum:

1)         The development should be able to manage water on site for 1 in 100

year events plus 40% climate change allowance.

2)         Run-off from a greenfield site for all storm events that have a 100%

chance of occurring each year (1 in 1 year event) inclusive of climate change should be no higher than 10/ls and no lower than 1/ls. The rate should be restricted to the 1 in 1 greenfield rate or equivalent greenfield rates with long term storage (minimum rate 1l/s) or 50% betterment of existing run off rates on brownfield sites (provided this does not result in a runoff rate less than greenfield) or 50% betterment of existing run off rates on brownfield sites (provided this does not result in a runoff rate less than greenfield)

            You are advised that in order to satisfy the soakaway condition the following details will be required:- details of the area to be drained, infiltration rate (as determined by BRE Digest 365), proposed length, width and depth of soakaway, groundwater level and whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 391.

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

The Officer presented their report, after which Russell Ford from Smart Planning Ltd, the Agent, addressed the Committee.

A discussion followed on the likelihood of future developments at the site and the need to control development, including the permitted development rights either through serving Article 4 direction or through the use of conditions.  Members requested the application be differed to enable further assessment of the options that would exist in relation to the restriction of permitted development rights and to investigate the presence of an existing field access.

Councillor J V Keyes proposed that the application be deferred for the reasons given above.  This was duly seconded and following a vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the application be DEFERRED.

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

The Chairman referred to the Members’ Update and confirmed to the Committee that this application had been withdrawn.