Agenda and minutes

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R G Pratt.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 June 2024, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 June 2024 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).

There were none.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

It was noted that a Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting advising that additional representation had been received from Interested Parties.

The Principal Planning Officer gave Members a verbal update regarding responses that had been received from the Education Authority, Ecology Consultant, and the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). She made Members aware that as a result of the response from the LLFA an additional reason for refusal would need to be added to the recommendation. Following the Officer’s presentation, in response to a request from Councillor A S Fluker, with the permission of the Chairperson, the Head of Service: Development Management & Building Control read out a statement sent to Members earlier that day in response to an email that had been sent to Members from the Agent, Mr Leigh on the evening of 23 July. Following this an Objector, Mr Joynes and the Agent, Mr Leigh addressed the Committee. The Chairperson then opened the floor for debate.

A debate ensued where Members discussed the reason for call in, the need for affordable housing, the proposed layout of the site and the proposed density of dwellings per hectare. Councillor A Fittock felt that there were overwhelming reasons why the Committee should support the Officer’s recommendation and then proposed the application be refused in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation. This was duly seconded. 

The Chairperson put Councillor Fittock’s proposal to the Committee and at that point, in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3),  Councillor M G Bassenger requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded.

Following a short discussion, the Chairperson put the proposal of Councillor Fittock including the aforementioned additional reason of refusal as a result of the response from the LLFA to the Committee and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

M G Bassenger, V J Bell, D O Bown, A Fittock, A S Fluker, L J Haywood, W J Laybourn, M G Neall, U C G Siddall-Norman, W Stamp.

Against the recommendation: None.

Abstention: None.

The Chairperson advised that the recommendation of refusal was therefore agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1          The proposal would introduce residential development beyond a settlement boundary where the principle of the proposed development is not supported as development plan policies seek to protect the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 214.

The Chairperson aired concerns around the promises made by the new Government of more development and stressed to Members the importance that the Local Development Plan played in Local Government.

Councillor Fluker asked the Chairperson if it would be possible for meetings of the Committee to start at 7pm. The Chairperson confirmed this could discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.