Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and details of any Councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Peter Anderson, Malcolm Hall and Robin King.

To invite Councillors to declare any interest they may have in the items on the Agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.   

To confirm, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 13th July 2011.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13th July 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider a Planning Application for the reconstruction of farmhouse building to create two dwellings and conversion of existing barns to create five dwellings, erection of garage buildings and stores.

Applicant:  Persimmon Homes South Midlands Ltd

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Reconstruction of farmhouse building to create

two dwellings and conversion of existing barns to create

five dwellings, erection of garage buildings and stores

Applicant:  Persimmon Homes South Midlands Ltd

The following people addressed the Committee under the Council’s Public Speaking rules:

Mr R Lee           –    Objector representing Brockhill Action Group

                                 and Batchley Support Group

Ms V Kendrick –    Objector representing CPRE

Ms H Inston       –    Agent for the Applicant.

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to GRANT Planning Permission, subject to

1)         the completion of a Planning Obligation to ensure that Redditch Borough Council is paid appropriate contributions in relation to the development for the provision and maintenance of pitches, play areas and open space provision in the locality;

2)         the conditions and informatives as summarised in the main report; and

3)         the following additional conditions:

            “12)   No demolition, site clearance or development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, full details of all existing trees and hedgerows on site [and surrounding the site boundaries where tree canopies overhang the site] and details of any trees/hedgerows not to be retained, together with details of any tree surgery works and measures for their protection during the course of development.  The tree surgery works and tree/hedgerow protection measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation.

                        Reason:        To safeguard the visual amenities of the area and in accordance with Policy B(NE).1a of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3

            13)      No demolition, site clearance or development shall take place until all trees and hedges to be retained on the site and around the boundaries of the site have been protected in accordance with the specification set out in British Standard BS:5837 2005: Guide for Trees in relation to Construction, and such protection measures shall remain in situ for the duration of the development and in accordance with Policies B(NE)1a and B(NE)3 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.

                        Reason:        To ensure the protection of trees and hedgerows in the interests of visual amenity.

            14)      Prior to the development hereby approved commencing, full details of a scheme for foul and surface water drainage shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The details thus approved shall be fully implemented prior to first use or occupation of the development.

                        Reason:        To allow proper consideration of the proposed foul and surface water drainage systems and to ensure that the development is provided with a satisfactory means of drainage and in accordance with National Planning Policy Statements (PPS.1 and PPS.25).”

(In considering the Planning Application and representations made by public speakers in relation to the protection of historic hedgerows within the Application site and the need for clarity on the means of drainage from the site, the Committee agreed that additional conditions be attached to the Planning Permission, as detailed in Resolution  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider a Planning Application to vary Condition 5 of Planning Permission 2009/082/FUL, to allow retailing to the public from an approved mezzanine level.

Applicant::  Essex County Council Pension Fund

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Application to vary Condition 5 of Planning Permission Reference 2009/082/FUL to allow retailing to the public from the previously approved mezzanine level

Applicant:  Essex County Council Pension Fund

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, permission be GRANTED to vary Condition 5 of Planning Application 2009/082/FUL, subject to the imposition of the revised condition and summarised informatives, as detailed in the main report.

To consider a Planning Application for a mixed development of 171 dwellings, public open space and outline application for 4,738 square metres of Class B1 (Business) floorspace and access.

Applicant:  Persimmon Homes Ltd

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

This item had been WITHDRAWN from the Agenda by Officers and was not discussed.  

(Officers had considered that, in view of the fact that the public consultation period for the application had not been due to finish until on Monday 8^th August and the anticipated volume of additional representations that might have been received, it had been agreed that the application be deferred to the next meeting of the Planning Committee scheduled for 7th September 2011  to allow sufficient time for any further representations to be compiled and for Officers to respond to any issues raised that had not already been addressed within the report.)

To consider a Planning Application for a change of use from

B1 (Business Use) to A3 (Café Use).

Applicant:  Ms A Bennett

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover – please note that an amended version of the Site Plan is included in the Update report below)

Change of use from B1 (Business Use to A3 (Café Use)

Applicant:  Ms A Bennett

Ms A Bennett, the Applicant, addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules.

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, Planning Permission be GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 

“1.       The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the grant of this permission.

            Reason:        In accordance with the requirements of Section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

  2.       The development hereby approved shall be implemented in accordance with the following plans:

            Drawing No. 1537.01, date stamped 6th July 2011; and

            Drawing No. 1537.02, date stamped 6th July 2011.

            Reason:        To accurately define the permission for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the development is satisfactory in appearance in order to safeguard the visual amenities of the area in accordance with Policy B(BE),13 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.

 3.        The use hereby permitted shall not commence until a scheme for the installation of odour equipment has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the scheme implanted in accordance with the approved details.   Such equipment shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

            Reason:        In the interests of neighbour’s amenity, in the interests of the visual amenity of the street scene and in accordance with Policy E(TCR).12 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.”

(This decision was taken contrary to Officer recommendation in view of the fact that the Committee considered that, the proposed use would complement and serve other commercial uses on the industrial estate.  Members further considered that, whilst acknowledging the value of the units as employment land, the proposed use would, itself, provide opportunities for employment and, therefore, granted permission, subject to relevant conditions as detailed in the Resolution above.)

To consider a Planning Application for an external extension to the upper level of the existing Kingfisher Shopping Centre to provide 772 square metres of new retail floorspace (Use Class A3 – A5).

Applicant:  Scottish Widows PLC and Scottish Widows Unit Fund Ltd

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

External extension to upper level of existing

Kingfisher Shopping Centre to provide 772 sq.m of

new restaurant / takeaway floorspace

(Use Class A3-A5)

Applicant:  Scottish Widdows PLC and

Scottish Widdows Unit Fund Ltd

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, Planning Permission be GRANTED, subject to the conditions and informatives as summarised in the main report.

To consider a Retrospective Planning Application for the installation of a portacabin.

Applicant:  Mr L Clarke

(Report attached – Site Plan under separate cover)

Retrospective Application for the installation of a cabin

Applicant:  Mr L Clarke

The following people addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules:

Mr J Gardner – supporter

Ms C Edwards – supporter

Mr S Harvey – Supporter

Cllr Malcolm Hall – Ward Member and advocate for applicants

Mr L Clarke – the Applicant.

RESOLVED that

having regard to the Development Plan and to all other material considerations, Retrospective Planning Permission be GRANTED, subject to the following summarised Conditions:

“1.       The development hereby approved shall be implemented in accordance with the following plans:

            Drawing No. P2030/49A, date received 12th July 2011; and

            Document ‘A’, date received 12th July 2011.

            Reason:        To accurately define the permission for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the development is satisfactory in appearance in order to safeguard the visual amenities of the area in accordance with Policy B(BE).13 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.

  2.       Details of a palnt finish to be applied to the exterior surface of the cabin building hereby approved to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority within one month from the date of the granting of the Consent.  The paint finish approved shall be applied to the exterior of the building within three months from the date of the granting of this Consent.  The building shall continue to be maintained to the satisfaction of the Local Authority in perpetuity.

            Reason:        To ensure that the development is satisfactory in appearance, to safeguard the visual amenities of the area and in accordance with Policy N(BE).13 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.

 3.        The cabin hereby permitted shall be used solely for purposes ancillary to the use of the allotments and shall at no time be used for any other purpose, including industrial or for business activities of any description whatsoever.

            Reason:        In the interests of protecting residential amenities having regard to the relationship of the building to nearby properties, in accordance with Policy B(BE).13 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.3.”

(This decision was taken contrary to Officer recommendation for the reason that Members considered the structure, and the purposes it was proposed the cabin would be used for, would not harm the visual amenity of the area, particularly given its location within the allotment boundary; the proposals for a suitable paint colour and landscaping plan.)