Agenda and minutes

37.1     RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015.

Disclosures by all members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

38.1     Councillor Galley declared a personal interest in Item 7 in that he is a member of Wealden District Council, and the Council had commented on the application.  He did not consider this to be prejudicial.

38.2     Councillor Stogdon declared a personal interest in Item 8 in that he is the owner of land adjacent to a site subject to ongoing enforcement action, and that he would consider it prejudicial should the site come up for a specific discussion and leave the room.

39.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

40.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.  Clarification was provided regarding modelling of climate change, the average discharge flow of the Wastewater Treatment Works and a reference in Condition 18. 

40.2     Mr John Rogers spoke against the proposal.

40.3     Mrs Ruth Harding of Paris Smith, the applicant’s agent, spoke in favour of the proposal. 

40.4     Members have considered the officer’s report, the clarifications and the comments of the public speakers, and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendation as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

40.5     RESOLVED to approve the application subject to the completion of the following procedure:

(i)               The completion of a Legal Agreement to carry out off site highway works;

(ii)              To authorise the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to grant planning permission, upon completion of the Legal Agreement, subject to conditions along the lines of those indicated in minute 40.7.

40.6     If the Legal Agreement has not been completed within six months, the application shall be referred back to Committee for consideration.

40.7     The grant of planning permission should be subject to the following conditions:

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

         Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the drawings listed in the Schedule of Approved Plans.

         Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.      No development shall take place until details of the following landscaping matters have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport:

         (i) Proposals for tree planting, including the use of heavy standard trees, at the northern boundary of the treatment works site off Butcher's Lane following further assessment;

         (ii) Proposals for the re-alignment of the boundary fence at the northern boundary of the treatment works site off Butcher's Lane to accommodate additional planting following further assessment;

         (iii) Planting specification including species, numbers and layout for the proposed hedgerow along the boundary of the pumping station off Fourteen Acre Lane;

         (iv) A plan showing the proposed alignment of fencing during construction at the treatment works site off Butcher's Lane, including the identification of the extent of the Root Protection Areas for all retained trees, taking into account the requirements of British Standard 5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction; &

         (v) A timetable for the implementation of all works required as part of this condition.

         The assessment referred to in (i) & (ii) above shall comprise a report which shall be submitted for consideration and approval.

         The approved details shall be carried out in full.

         Reason: To secure appropriate landscaping at the site and the protection of trees in the interests of the amenity of the locality and the landscape character of the AONB, in accordance with Policies WMP25 and WMP27  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Report by the Head of Planning and Environment

41.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning and Environment. The Chair reported that two of the local members had sought assurances about the provision of safety measures and this was referred to in the officer’s report.

41.2     Mr Karl Taylor, Assistant Director Operations on behalf of the applicant, spoke to provide reassurance that acoustic, safety and badger fencing would be installed prior to the road opening. 

41.3     Councillor Field, one of the Local Members and member of the Planning Committee, spoke in support of the application.

41.4     Members have considered the report, together with the comments of the Local Members and public speaker, and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendation as set out in paragraph 8 of the report.

41.5     RESOLVED to grant the application for non material amendment RR/2474/CC(EIA)NM/11 and alter the wording of condition 13 attached to RR/2474/CC(EIA), approved on 29 July 2009, as follows:

13.       Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Head of Planning and Environment, the Link Road shall not be brought into full permanent use by the public until all approved details of boundary walls, fences and other means of enclosure to be erected within the site have been provided and shall thereafter be retained unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Head of Planning and Environment.  If during construction, the temporary use of part of the Link Road is required this shall only be undertaken with means of enclosure appropriate to the temporary use and following the prior written approval of the Head of Planning and Environment.

Reason: To ensure the appropriate appearance of the development in the area.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

42.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.  Clarification was provided regarding the proximity of the nearest residential property which was confirmed to be “School House” but this did not affect the officer’s recommendation.

42.2     The comments of Councillor Bentley, one of the Local Members, had been circulated to the Committee. 

42.3     Members have considered the officer’s report and comments of the Local Member, and agree with the conclusions and reasons for recommendation.

42.4     RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to the following condition:

1.         The temporary building hereby permitted shall be removed from the site and the land restored to its former physical state by 31 October 2016 or as otherwise agreed in accordance with a scheme submitted to and approved in writing by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. 

Reason: The nature or form of development is only considered appropriate for a temporary period.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

43.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

43.2     RESOLVED to note the report.