Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bassenger, Miss A M Beale, B S Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, C Mayes, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, C Swain and Miss S White.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 13 July 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)               That the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 13 July 2022 be received.

RESOLVED

(ii)             That subject to the inclusion of Councillor S J N Morgan on the attendance list the Minutes of the District Planning Committee held on 13 July 2022 be 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).

Councillor M F L Durham declared an other registrable interest as a member of Essex County Council (ECC), as Chair of Essex County Traveller Unit (ECTU) and as Deputy Cabinet Member whose portfolio included the ECC Gypsy and Traveller Campsites across the County.

Councillor Fleming a registrable interest as a member of Essex County Council who are statutory consultees and as a member of ECTU.

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

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed further representations from interested parties and the Officer provided a further verbal update that two additional letters of objection had been received  together with a  letter from a Member of Parliament (MP)  highlighting the concerns from residents. It was noted that the two additional letters did not raise any further material planning considerations from those contained in the Officer’s report. Following the Officer’s presentation, Mr. Russell Forde, speaking on behalf of a group of local residents, Parish Council representative Mr. Brady and the Applicant, Mr. Connors addressed the Committee.

At this point the Chairman moved the Officer’s recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Stephens. He then opened the discussion. 

A lengthy debate ensued where a range of issues and concerns were discussed. It was noted that there had been a lot of correspondence from residents to Members regarding this proposal. Councillor Durham, whilst acknowledging sympathy with Officers, expressed concern regarding the dangerous entrance to the site. He said it was artificial with no permission not to mention very dangerous.. He felt that the application impacted adversely on the amenity of neighbouring properties together with a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the rural area. Some Members echoed these concerns and queried issues around the clearance of the site; the biodiversity net gain or otherwise; the availability of other like sites; the status of the applicant as a traveller or otherwise and the sustainability of the site

In response to issues raised Officers provided the following information-

·        That the application site was more than 55 metres from the nearest property.

·        That Essex Highways had not raised an objection; however they had suggested conditions which have been included in the report;

·        That the access already existed, not created by the applicant. Essex Highways Authority had recognised they would use the existing access.

·        That the clearance involving trees did not require permission as it was prior to any Tree Protection Order, (TPO) being imposed.

·        That as outlined in paragraph 5.3.13 of the Officer report in this instance, the proposal, with the exception of the hardstanding, would involve single storey mobile structures, which are to be located further away from the highway, resulting in minimal impact on the character of the area.

·        That in respect of biodiversity this was addressed under conditions 14 &15 of the report . Planting of native species of trees and hedges, together with external lighting to protect species and a landscaping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 259.

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

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed an additional consultee comment, condition and informative.  Following the Officer’s presentation Councillor Driver, from Maldon Town Council and Mr Sam Caslin, the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

The Chairman moved the Officer’s recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Helm..

A debate ensued where Members raised issues around back-to-back distances; fabric first as opposed to renewables; parking provision; quality of life; the current proposed number of dwellings versus infrastructure; affordable housing contribution and energy saving measures. 

In response to issues raised Officers provided the following information:-

·        That in terms of parking Maldon District Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) adopted parking standards have been met, in addition there is a local centre within walking distance, bus services and cycling routes, a good choice of alternative to using the private car.  The parking therefore is adequate, all houses have been provided with adequate parking spaces in accordance with the adopted standards. 

·        That back-to-back distances were all at least around 25 metres as outlined in the Maldon District Design Guide (MDDG) (2017).  The housing mix was one of the reasons for the previous refusal. The current application has been assessed against the most recent Local Housing Needs Assessment and it complies sufficiently.

·        That with reference to quality of life the standard would be satisfactory, having been assessed against environmental health advice and the garden and house sizes proposed.

·        That fabric first is an approach to use building materials and building techniques aimed at reducing the energy need through a design approach rather than artificial support.

·        That the outline planning application was for up to 1,000 houses but the same site is allocated for a minimum of 1,000 so the proposal is compliant with the development plan. In terms of density/overcrowding the current proposal is for 42 houses which is more than previously refused.  However, the Housing mix has changed so the building footprint is less, the total number of bedrooms would only increase by one and, at 30 dwellings per hectare, the density is still quite low and complies with the parameter plan approved as part of the outline planning permission.

·        That funding for additional medical provision and school places will be secured by the S106.

·        That with reference to affordable housing it fully complies on percentages in terms of I, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable rented properties and more than the minimum Policy requirement for affordable housing is proposed.

·        That an additional condition could be included requiring further details of the energy saving measures to be incorporated into the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 260.