Planning & Development Policy Committee
Minutes of the Myland Community Council Planning & Development Policy Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 20th May 2015, 7.15 pm @ Mile End Methodist Church, Mile End Road, Colchester, CO4 5ET
Present: Cllr John Stewart (Chair)
Cllr Jean Dickinson
Cllr Liz Gray
Cllr Pete Hewitt
Cllr John Sutcliffe
The Clerk
The Assistant Clerk
There was one member of the public present.
032-15/16 Election of Chairman
Cllr John Sutcliffe – Proposed by Cllr Sutcliffe; Seconded by Cllr Gray
Cllr John Stewart – Proposed by Cllr Stewart; Seconded by Cllr Hewitt
Following a secret ballot Cllr Stewart was elected as Chairman.
033-15/16 Election of Vice-Chairman
Cllr Gray was elected as Vice-Chairman unopposed.
034-15/16 Apologies
Cllr Dickson.
035-15/16 Declarations of Interest – Councillors to declare individually any interests they may have in the items on the agenda. If a Councillor declares a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any item on the agenda he/she shall withdraw from the room where the meeting is being held when that item is discussed unless he/she has received a dispensation from the Clerk.
Cllrs Dickinson, Gray, Hewitt and Sutcliffe declared a pecuniary interest in application 150854 due to the Application site being close to their residences. All Cllrs had requested dispensation, in writing to the Clerk, on the grounds that so many members of the decision-making body (P & DP Committee) have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the matter that it would “impede the transaction of the business”.
With regard to Application 150854 – North Colchester Urban Extension, Mile End Road, Colchester, as per provisions in the Localism Act and having had regard to all relevant circumstances, the Clerk and Chairman consider that dispensation be granted to all Cllrs on the grounds that so many members of the Committee have Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in the matter that it would “impede the transaction of the business” not to do so.
036-15/16 Have Your Say
Mrs White referred to Item 041 and asked for clarification about the changes to the Terms of Reference. The Clerk explained that the Terms of Reference had been agreed at the full Council meeting on 13th May 2015 but that subsequently Cllr Sutcliffe had suggested it would be good practice to include specific mention of responsibilities regarding S106 agreements. The Clerk said this had now been added and confirmed that there was no change to the way in which the P & DP Committee would be run.
037-15/16 Chairman’s Announcements and Correspondence
The Chairman mentioned a letter received from ECC regarding the public consultation on the Statement of Community Involvement – Update 2015 (draft). He said this would be dealt with under the relevant agenda item.
038-15/16 Minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2015 to be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2015 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr Gray Seconded: Cllr Hewitt (Unanimous)
039-15/16 Matters arising from the Minutes
There were none.
040-15/16 Monitoring
Cllr Sutcliffe said he and Cllr Gray had visited the Bluegates development on Nayland Road. He said the original house had been separated into two houses which were now being refurbished. He said there were seven new houses surrounding the original house. He said the development had commenced in July 2014 and that the developers were aiming to finish by the end of August 2015. He said railings had been put up by the site manager to protect trees from the builders. He said the roads were mostly in and tarmacked, and would eventually be block paved. He said there were two topsoil mounds which would be used for gardens and that there were no problems associated with these. He said there was a good standard of finish on the house that he and Cllr Gray were shown and that no marketing has taken place as yet. He said there were collecting tanks which would discharge to the main sewers. He said some new planting has taken place and that there would be more. He said in his opinion the exit onto Nayland Road was dangerous because the sightline was blocked by parked vehicles.
Cllr Dickinson suggested writing to the developers, copying in Planning, to ask for yellow lines at the entrance to the development. The Clerk said the planned parking restrictions for Nayland Road would possibly include yellow lines at this location and that she would check this.
Cllr Dickinson said that there should be an agreement regarding access for maintenance of the War Memorial with the purchasers of Number One. The Clerk said a fence has been put in with gaps either side of the tree on the boundary. Cllr Gray said she would speak to the developer and the issue could be escalated subsequently if necessary.
Cllr Sutcliffe asked if any S106 money had been paid. The Clerk said she would check this.
Cllr Gray said she had visited the Mersea Homes development down Braiswick Lane which was now very nearly completed. She said only one house is still empty.
041-15/16 To consider and possibly resolve to agree amendment(s) to the Terms of Reference for the P&DP Committee (Issue 2, May 2015)
With the wording of clause 2c amended to read “…including requests for S106 money or equivalent where applicable” it was resolved to agree the amendment(s) to the Terms of Reference for the P & DP Committee (Issue 2, May 2015)
Proposed: Cllr Sutcliffe Seconded: Cllr Hewitt (Unanimous)
042-15/16 To consider and possibly resolve to respond to the ECC Statement of Community Involvement consultation (closing date 25th June 2015)
It was resolved to respond to the ECC Statement of Community Involvement consultation.
Proposed: Cllr Stewart Seconded: Cllr Hewitt (Unanimous)
043-15/16 If 042-15/16 is resolved to consider and possibly resolve to whom to delegate the response to the ECC Statement of Community Involvement consultation
It was resolved to delegate the response to the ECC Statement of Community Involvement to Cllr Hewitt.
Proposed: Cllr Stewart Seconded: Cllr Gray (Unanimous)
044-15/16 Planning, Licensing & Highways Applications/Appeals – To make recommendations, including requests for Section 106 money where applicable, on applications received
150854 – North Colchester Urban Extension Mile End Road, Colchester – Application for approval of reserved matters following outline approval (121272) – Comment
MCC is expecting attenuation ponds to also act as wildlife attractions with reasonable public access to enjoy such attractions in full. We understand that the finer detail on landscaping is yet to be finalised and look forward to the opportunity to review that detail when available. We cite the main lake in High Woods Country Park as an unrestricted attraction and the smaller pond at the rear of Turner Rise, albeit bounded by a post and rail fence, as an important biodiversity asset, eg, in respect of dragonflies, as another valuable asset.
Proposed: Cllr Hewitt Seconded: Cllr Dickinson (Unanimous)
150587 – Asda Superstore, Petrolea Close, Colchester CO4 5TU – Construction of an extension to the store to accommodate a ‘Home Shopping’ pod extension, installation of a Home Shopping Chiller and Freezer, relocation of ‘Click & Collect’ canopy, display of adverts, relocation of ‘Click & Connect’ canopy, display of adverts, relocation of disabled parking spaces and other associated works- Support
Proposed: Cllr Stewart Seconded: Cllr Hewitt (Unanimous)
150588 – Asda Superstore, Petrolea Close, Colchester CO4 5TU – Adverts to Click & Collect canopy – Support
Proposed: Cllr Stewart Seconded: Cllr Hewitt (Unanimous)
150912 – University NHS Foundation Trust, Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, CO4 5JL – Erection of first floor extension above existing department to provide additional accommodation for combined blood sciences laboratory – Support
Proposed: Cllr Sutcliffe Seconded: Cllr Gray (4For; 1 Abstention)
030-15/16 To receive copies of Planning/Appeal Decisions
150201 – 153 Bergholt Road, Colchester, CO4 5AH – Proposed two storey and single storey rear extension loft conversion and associated internal alterations. To provide improved kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom – Permission granted, 2 conditions, 7th May 2015
150600 – 89 Nayland Road, Mile End, Colchester, CO4 5EN – Demolition of existing single storey dwelling/garage and erection of 2no. single storey dwellings with associated garages and parking – Permission granted, 11 conditions, 18th May 2015
031-15/16 Date of next meeting – 3rd June 2015, 7.15pm @ Myland Community Council Office, 101 Nayland Road, Colchester.
The meeting closed at 8:11pm