Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S J Burwood, D O Bown,  M F L Durham CC, L J Haywood, N R Miller, W Stamp CC, E L Stephens, J C Stilts and S White.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 23 January 2024 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 23 January 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).

Councillor A S Fluker declared an other registerable interest regarding Agenda Item 5 23/01236/FULM - Land to the South of Keelings Road, Dengie, Essex, as he owned Keelings, the property mentioned in the report. Councillor Fluker added that he also knew the landowner who was engaged in business with Southminster Parish Council of which he was a Member. Due to this he would address the Committee at the appropriate time after which he would leave the Council Chamber and take no further part in the meeting.

Councillor C P Morley declared a non-pecuniary interest regarding Agenda Item 5 in that he knew the landowner and he would not take part in the voting for that item.

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

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Agent Mr Greetham addressed the Committee.

Prior to the debate opening, Councillor A S Fluker, having called in the application, made an opening statement. He raised various concerns regarding the development including the proposed screening of the site, the impact of construction traffic to the immediate and surrounding areas and he asked Members to consider imposing a condition that required the developer to repair damaged grass verges at the end of the construction period.

Councillor Fluker proposed to refuse the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation on the basis that it was contrary to Policies S1, S8, D1, and D4 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. There was no seconder.

At this point in accordance with his earlier declaration, Councillor Fluker left the Chamber and did not return.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation of approval as set out in the Officer’s report and this was duly seconded.

A lengthy debate ensued and in response to some queries raised the following information was highlighted:

·        Case Officers had visited the site to assess the impact to the countryside and Essex County Highways visited the site for them to assess the access to the site.

·        The applicants undertook a detailed landscaping visual impact assessment and Officer’s found that it was acceptable.

·        A condition to have the developer repair damaged grass verges could be imposed but would be difficult to enforce due to it being outside of the application site.

·        The landscape would be restored after 40 years which was the life of the project.

There being no further discussion the Chairperson put his earlier proposal to the Committee and upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

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

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

•           Site location plan 0200-05 issue 06

•           Planning layout 0201-01 issue 14

•           Transformer station detail 1643-0207-00

•           Mounting system 0206-00

•           Fence details 0205-01

•           CCTV detail 0204-00 issue 02  ...  view the full minutes text for item 653.