MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 4th DECEMBER 2007

 

 

PRESENT       Councillors: K. Avey (Chairman); Miss O D Dunseath (Vice Chairman); Miss M. Starling, J.A. Smith; J Lewis and B.D. Murphy (Deputy Town Mayor)

 

IN ATTENDANCE     Cllr. Mrs J Hedges

           

OFFICER        Bob Whittome (Town Clerk)

 

 

Three members of the public were present.

 

 

283.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs N Hines (Town Mayor) and R Macrae.

 

284.     CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 20th November 2007, were confirmed.

 

285.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Cllrs Smith and Murphy declared a non-prejudicial interest in application EPF/2328/07.

 

286.     REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

Cllr Mrs Hedges gave details of an incident where a member of the public had tripped over a concrete bollard near the water fountain on market day.  She advised Members that following that incident, the district council had now agreed to remove the concrete bollards surrounding the water fountain as a matter of urgency.  The Clerk advised Members that four trip incidents over the same bollards had been reported during the market of the 3rd December. 

 

The Clerk also advised Members that a plan for the district council’s planning sub committee to move to a three week cycle would be brought forward for a discussion at full Council on 18th December.

 

258.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Six applications for planning permission were considered and the plans inspected. 

 

Members RESOLVED to consider EPF/2403/07 as the first application in view of the fact that Mr & Mrs Flynn on 9 Ravensmere were present in the chamber and Mr Bennett of 8 Ravensmere was also present.

 

 

EPF/2403/07

(Revised Appl.)

9 Ravensmere

Mr & Mrs M Flynn

Ground and first floor extensions new hipped roof with front and rear dormers and replacement front porch.

Mrs Flynn spoke briefly in support of her application and submitted a letter which was read by Committee.  Mr Bennett then addressed Committee and a letter from Mr Bennett was read by Committee.

 

Committee considered the information which had been presented by Mrs Flynn and Mr Bennett and identified the issue of concern to be the impact of the proposed extensions on number 8 Ravensmere.  The main issue of importance the height of number 9 Ravensmere adjacent to the boundary with number 8.  Committee recognise that the perception of height and overlooking to number 8 may only be determined by technical appraisal of the proposals. Committee resolved to maintain its previous objection to ensure this issue is examined by the district council’s planning officers and that a decision is made by Members of the district’s planning sub-committee with the appropriate technical guidance. 

 

Therefore, Committee object to this application, it being believed that the current proposed development is for a building of height and bulk which may be out of scale with neighbouring properties and therefore detrimental to the street scene; and that the proposal will result in overshadowing and overlooking of number 8 Ravensmere leading to a loss of amenity to that property.

 

 

EPF/2328/07

(Revised Appl)

The Thatched House Hotel

High Street

Mr D Demitriou

Erection of side extension to reception area for 2 no. bedrooms with wheelchair access.

Committee object to this application viewing the extension as over-development of the site.  Committee also expressed concern at the loss of parking on the site which is a premium for this kind of facility.

 

 

EPF/2381/07

41 Beaconfield Road

Mr R.P. Flatt

Two storey and single storey rear extensions

Committee object to this application and expressed concern that the rear extension proposed would, in its current format, give rise to a loss of amenity to number 43 Beaconfield Road.

 

 

EPF/2452/07

35 & 37 Hemnall Street

Dr L Duffy &

Mr & Mrs Willats

Two storey rear extensions to both properties.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/2504/07

The Stables

Houblons Hill

Greg & Samantha Best

Demolition of existing stables and garage buildings and erection of replacement garage and store, erection of extension to dwelling and erection of 3.5 m high activity wall

Whilst Committee had no objection to this application, Committee did express concern at the height and impact of the activity wall on this site and requested that the district’s planning officers should consider the impact of this facility.

 

 

EPF/2472/07

Green adj to Grove Lane, Epping

Sycamore (x3) Fell to allow the remaining trees to develop more balanced crowns:

 

Sycamore (TSS00086 & TSS00088) Crown reduce 30%, crown lift over road to 5m:

 

Sycamore (TSS00090) Crown reduce 30%:

 

Sycamore (TSS00092)  Crown reduce 30%, Crown thin 30%

 

Committee had no objection to this application provided that all work is carried out under the supervision of the district council’s arboriculturist.  However, Committee did express concern that this stand of trees currently provides a fixing point for the annual Christmas Lights festoon and Committee requested that the arboriculturist ensure that sufficient fixings remained to enable the festoon fittings to continue in future years.

 

 

288.     CONSULTATION DRAFT OF EPPING CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL

 

Committee agreed to DEFER this item to the meeting to be held on the 8th January and directed the Clerk to send a memo to all Council Members requesting written comments prior to the 8th January meeting to enable Member’s comments to be collated into a single draft document for consideration by Committee on 8th January.

 

289.     STOP STANSTED EXPANSION – SECOND RUNWAY FIGHTING FUND

 

Committee considered the request from the Stop Stansted Expansion group for funding.  It was recognised that feelings toward this project in Epping are likely to be mixed.  In view of the many conflicting calls on tax funding in the town, it was agreed to NOTE the request but that no action should be taken in respect of this matter.

 

290.     POST OFFICE CLOSURES – TOWN COUNCIL OF FRINTON & WALTON

 

Committee considered a request from the Chairman of Frinton and Walton Town Council for assistance in presenting a letter to 10 Downing Street.

 

Committee noted that both the local MP and the district council had already lodged objections to match the existing objections of Epping Town Council.  It was therefore RESOLVED to carry those objections forward by joining with the town council of Frinton and Walton and authorising the Mayor or Deputy to attend the presentation of a letter to 10 Downing Street.

 

291.     EPPING FOREST COUNTRYCARE ANNUAL REPORT & LIAISON GROUP

 

Committee considered the Annual Report of Epping Forest Country Care and agreed to NOTE the report.  Committee also directed the Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Country Care particularly making reference to the many volunteers who assisted with the maintenance of Swaines Green and other projects in and around Epping.

 

292.     EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN: CONSULTATION ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PLAN  UNDER THE EUROPEAN HABITATS DIRECTIVE AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S FURTHER PROPOSED CHANGES

 

Committee considered the consultation document from Go East (Government Office for the East of England).  Members agreed to NOTE the consultation and recognised that the issues being consulted on are technical issues designed to protect the environment in accord with recent directives which modified the East of England Plan.  Members agreed that no submission should be made in regard to this matter.

 

293.     EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

Committee NOTED the decisions of Epping Forest District Council Area Planning Sub-Committee East.

 

GRANTED:  

 

EPF/2052/07

EPF/1836/07

EPF/1716/07

EPF/2152/07

TPO/6/83

EPF/2073/07

 

 

 

 

REFUSED:

 

EPF/2021/07

EPF/2063/07

EPF/2078/07