Agenda and minutes

The Chairman referred  to the list of notices on the back of the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H M Bass, E L Bamford, I E Dobson, M F L Durham CC, Mrs H E Elliott, M R Pearlman, D M Sismey and Miss S White.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interest or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interest as soon as they become aware should the need arise through the meeting).

Councillor Mrs P A Channer disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as an Essex County Councillor as Essex County Council were a consultee on matters of planning applications regarding highways, access and any other mater pertaining to it.

Councillor R Pratt disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council were a consultee on matters of planning applications regarding highways, access and any other mater pertaining to it. 

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

It was noted from the Members’ Update that a further 13 letters of objection and four letters of support had been received.  Further information had been submitted by the applicant and this was summarised.

Following the Officers’ presentation the Group Manager - Planning Services, provided Members with some information regarding determining planning applications including legal guidance and the need to give reasonable and appropriate weight to all material considerations. 

The Group Manager - Planning Services informed Members that the Council had received communication from the Secretary of State that afternoon advising that he had received a request from a third party to consider calling in this application for determination.  The Secretary of State was currently undertaking a review of the application to determine whether he would be calling it in.  Officers therefore suggested that the recommendation set out in the report be amended to ‘approve subject to consideration of the Secretary of State on whether to call the application in and the conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement as detailed in section 17 of the report.

Mrs Smilley, a supporter, Councillor Wendy Stamp on behalf of Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council and Mr Rowe, the Agent then addressed the Committee.

In response to a number of questions raised the following information and clarifications were provided by Officers:

·                 Members were advised that the Council had been working with Essex County Council (not specifically in relation to this application) regarding housing levels.

·                 Condition 6 contained a typographical error and should read “…dwellings hereby approved shall not exceed single storey in height”.

·                 Bus stops / shelters would be covered as part of the highway obligations detailed in the proposed Section 106 agreement;

·                 Independent living arrangements would be in partnership with a housing association and without involvement of Essex County Council this would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 797.