Agenda item

To consider the planning application and recommendations of the Chief Executive (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

It was noted that the Central Area Planning Committee at its meeting on 31 May 2017 had considered this application and agreed to support the Officers’ recommendation of refusal.

Having listened to the Planning Officer’s presentation, the Leader of the Council supported the recommendation of the Central Area Planning Committee and Officers’ and proposed that the application be refused for the reasons as set out in the report.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that this application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1          The proposed development would result in significant detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the site by way of visual intrusion including choice of boundary treatment, choice of materials within the site, level of built form and loss of public open amenity space contrary to adopted policies BE1, CC6 and REC7 emerging policies D1 and E5 of the submitted Local Development Plan and the guidance and provision of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2          It has not been demonstrated that the proposal would not result in material harm or detrimental impact upon the enjoyment and safety of adjacent neighbouring occupiers or users and workers within the site contrary to policies BE1, CON5 and CON6 of the adopted Maldon District Replacement Local Plan and emerging policies D1 and D2 of the submitted Local Development Plan and the guidance and provision as contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3          Policy E5 of the Local Development Plan supports development for new tourist facilities providing it is demonstrated that there is an identified need for the proposal, there is good connectivity with other tourist sites and green infrastructure networks, there is no significant detrimental impact on the character and amenity of neighbouring uses or the surrounding area and any impact on the natural environment is avoided.  The proposal fails to meet these policy criterion. 

4          The Ecological Scoping Survey reference 0259.0001 Rev 0 has not fully demonstrated that there will be no detrimental effect on the ecology and biodiversity of the site contrary to adopted policies BE1, CC5 and CC6 of the adopted Maldon District Replacement Local Plan and emerging policies D1, E5, N1 and N2 of the submitted Local Development Plan and the guidance and provision as contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.  

In accordance with his earlier declaration Councillor A S Fluker left the meeting at this point.