Agenda item

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

The Officer presented their report to the Committee and drew Member’s attention to the Members’ Update which advised the Committee that a letter of support had been received.

Following the Officers presentation, Mr Simon Bourne, the Applicant, addressed the Committee.

As Councillor S P Nunn left the Council Chamber during the Officers presentation. Under Rule 13(1) of the Councils Constitution which states “Any item of business will be decided by a simple majority of those Members voting and present in the room at the time the question was put.  If a Member has not been present at the meeting for the whole of the consideration of a planning application or related matter, or has not undergone fundamental induction training once such a programme has been introduced he / she shall not vote on the matter...” it was confirmed that he would not permitted to vote on the application.

The Committee discussed the application considering the scale and bulk; whilst considering the streetscene Members considered that no adverse impact would be made.  Councillor K M H Lagan proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officers recommendation as the design was sympathetic and in keeping with the streetscene and this was duly seconded.

A further discussion between Officers and Members ensued where the scale was considered in comparison to neighbouring properties.

The Chairman put Councillors Lagans proposal of approving the application, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, to the Committee. Upon a vote being taken the application was approved with standard conditions around the timeframe, plan and materials.

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.

REASON: To comply with Section 91(1) The Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

2.           The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents: Location plan 439/01; Block Plan 439/02; Elevations as Proposed 439/06rev.E; Floor Plans as Proposed 439/05rev.D

REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the details as approved.

3.           The external materials proposed shall not be used until a sample of the materials has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried-out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: To ensure that the development does not have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area, in accordance with Policies D1 and D3 of the Maldon District Approved Local Development Plan and the NPPF.

Councillor C Morris requested that the meeting was adjourned to permit him time to approach the Chair.  This was refused due to the limited number of items remaining on the agenda.