Agenda and minutes

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R H Siddall.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 November 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED by assent that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 November 2021 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 F L Durham declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council, a statutory consultee on all planning related matters.

Councillor Mrs J L Fleming declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council, a statutory consultee on all planning related matters.

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

Following the Officer’s presentation, an Objector, Steven Gough and the Agent, Matthew Wood, addressed the Committee.  The Chairman then opened the debate.

A discussion ensued during which Members commented on the potential adverse impact the barn conversion would have on the countryside and neighbouring properties.

Councillor M F L Durham said that there had been some legitimate concerns but acknowledged that these had now been addressed at section 8 in the Officer’s report together with the additional two conditions.  He proposed that the Officers’ recommendation be agreed.  It was noted that this application was for non-residential use only, should this change in future it would be subject to a further planning application.

At this point, the Committee acknowledged the importance of including electric car charging points in non-residential applications and noted that the barn conversion to office space would create jobs for the local area.

There being no further debate the Chairman put Councillor Durham’s proposal, duly seconded, to approve the application to the Committee and upon a vote being taken the application was unanimously approved.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions together with the two additional conditions (electric charging points and boundary treatments) and two amended conditions (materials and external lighting)

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

2          The development herby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents: 13295 01A, 13295 02, 13295 06G, 13295 03A, 13295 04A, 13295 05A, 13295 07D, 13295 08C, 13295 09C, 13295 10 and 13295 11.

3          Prior to their use in the development hereby approved samples or details of the materials to be used in the building, subject of the conversion hereby approved, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval and retained as such thereafter. The existing shutters currently in situ shall also be retained in perpetuity. 

4          Full details of the parking arrangements, which shall be in accordance with the adopted Maldon District Vehicle Parking Standards, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Further, a fast charging point shall be provided adjacent to at least each of three parking spaces. The approved parking shall thereafter be kept available for such purposes in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 396.

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

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Chairman opened the debate.

A discussion ensued where the overarching concern was the dominant nature of the proposed development by way of loss of light and proximity to the neighbouring property.

Councillor J L Fleming proposed that the application be refused in accordance with the Officers’ recommendation.  This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1.               The proposal, given its height, design and proximity to the neighbouring property   would result in harm to the amenities of that neighbouring property by way of overbearingness, loss of light and outlook to a habitable room. The proposal is therefore in conflict with policies. D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan 2017, the Maldon District Design Guide, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021

2.               The, proposal, given its height, design and proximity to the neighbouring property, would jar uncomfortably through a clash of roof forms and scale, resulting in an anomalous relationship to the detriment of the streetscene in this part of Woodrolfe Road. The proposal is therefore in conflict with policies. D1 and H4 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan 2017, the Maldon District Design Guide, and the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

Prior to the closure of the meeting Councillor E L Stephens asked if Planning Officers could provide images from Google Street View in future meetings so that the committee can see the full street scene when making decisions.