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 E L Bamford and D M Sismey.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 March 2019, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 March 2019 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 Mrs P A Channer, CC, declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Essex County Council in relation to any items on the agenda pertaining to that organisation., as consultee on planning application matters with respect generally to highways, matters of access and education primarily.

Councillor M F L Durham, CC, declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council in relation to any items on the agenda pertaining to that organisation.

Councillor H M Bass declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 5, FUL/MAL/19/00038 – Wickham Place Farm, Station Road, Wickham Bishops as under a previous application he had visited the site.  It was noted that during these visits there was no discussion pertaining to this application.

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 Mr Stewart Rowe, the Agent, addressed the Committee.

Councillor H M Bass opened discussions on the application by informing the Committee that the annex had stood on the site since 1703 when it was originally three separate dwellings and drew attention to the fact that the building was already in situ with amenities.

The Development Management Team Leader, Planning Services, advised that although the annexe may have originally been the main residence on site, when the current primary dwelling was constructed the applicants entered into a legal agreement that the building remained an annexe.

A debate ensued where the Committee discussed the current housing supply, whether allowing the change of use would set a dangerous precedent and expressed sympathy for the applicant.  Members also noted that annexes were always conditioned to be used as an annexe.  Reference was made to previous applications from neighbouring properties and it was confirmed that any application needed to be determined on its own merits.

In response to questions from the Committee the Development Management Team Leader, Planning Services, advised that twice the dwellings at the site could result in double the cars, and that the intensification of use.  It was also confirmed that the Housing Policy team had recently recalculated that Maldon District Council’s housing supply and confirmed that a five-year housing supply (incorporating a 5% buffer) was in place.

Councillor H M Bass proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as the application would not cause issues with regards to sustainability and access, in addition to the aforementioned reasons given, and this was duly seconded.

The Chairman put the proposal of approval to the Committee, and upon a vote being taken the motion failed.

The Chairman then put the Officer’s recommendation of refusal to the Committee, and upon a vote being taken the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reason:

1                 The application site lies outside the defined settlement boundary of Wickham Bishops wherein both policies of the Development Plan and Government Guidance points towards the continued restraint of new development in the countryside.  It is considered that the proposal to remove the tie between the annexe and the main dwelling would result in the creation of a separate dwelling unit which is unjustified in its rural location and would intensify the domestication of the site.  Further, the development of the site for a new dwelling remote from community services and essential support facilities and inaccessible by sustainable modes of transport in this rural location is contrary to the overarching objectives contained within the NPPF 2018.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2005.