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 J P F Archer, A T Cain,
Mrs H E Elliott, P G L Elliott, M R Pearlman, N R Pudney, Rev. A EJ Shrimpton,
D M Sismey, A K M St. Joseph and Miss S White.

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 6-10 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 declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 4 OUT/MAL/15/01327 Land North and West of Knowles Farm, Wycke Hill, Maldon as she was an Essex County Councillor and the County Council had been consulted on this application.

At this point, the Chairman introduced Ms Jane Linley the Council’s legal representative and Mr Matthew Lane from Essex County Council Highways.

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

The Council considered the report of the Interim Head of Planning Services and determined the following planning application, having taken into account all representations and consultation replies received.

The Chairman advised the Council that a member of the public had registered their wish to speak and outlined the procedure for public participation.

It was noted that the Members’ Update proposed amendments to conditions 22 and 28 as set out in the report.

The Senior Principal Planner – Major Applications (Strategic Sites) and the Local Development Plan (LDP) Project Officer presented the application providing Members with detailed information including policy information, infrastructure provision, phasing and density.

Following the Officers’ presentation an objector, Mr Ballinger of 20 Coleridge Road, Maldon addressed the Committee.

Councillor S J Savage thanked Officers for their presentation and made reference to a public workshop he had attended regarding the proposed scheme.  He proposed that the Officers’ recommendation of approval be agreed.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In response to a question regarding the proposed Heads of Terms and specifically the one regarding community land the LDP Project Officer clarified that the five years proposed reflected the time for the development to take place.  This application did not propose to build or provide a hospital but recognised that there may be a need for a hospital.  Councillor B E Harker raised concern that five years, as suggested, was insufficient.  He proposed that the Heads of Terms regarding Community Land be amended to read “Community Land – Reserve land for the NHS circa 1.53 hectares for community use for a period of five years after which the site is conveyed to Maldon District Council”.  This proposal was duly seconded. 

In response to the amendment, the Officer suggested that Members might wish to consider reserving the land for the Council or the NHS to take up during that period.  It was noted that reserving the land was not to complete the facility but for the NHS to establish if that was the preferred site.

A number of other Members spoke in favour of the amendment.  In response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1117.