MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2008

 

 

PRESENT:    Councillors: Miss M Starling, J.A. Smith, R. Macrae, N. Hines (Town Mayor) and B.D.Murphy  (Deputy Town Mayor)

 

OFFICER:      Bob Whittome  (Town Clerk)

 

 

One member of the public was present.

 

 

361.    APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

 

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Committee, Committee RESOLVED to appoint the Town Mayor, Councillor N. Hines as Chairman.

 

362.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K Avey by reason of a holiday abroad; Councillor Miss O.D. Dunseath by reason of health.   

 

363.     CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

Committee RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting on 29th  January 2008.

 

364.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Councillor Murphy declared a prejudicial interest in Applications EPF/0178/08 and EPF/0179/08.

          

365.  REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

The Clerk advised members that Councillor Norman Hume of Essex County Council (the portfolio holder for Highways) had been invited to attend Council, no response had yet been received.  The Clerk also advised members that application EPF/2617/07 relating to the demolition of Radiotech, the property between 30 and 30a Lindsey Street has now been withdrawn.  Members were advised of a temporary road closure at Grove Lane, Epping, from 18th February 2008 for work to trees.  A letter from the planning director for EFDC in relation to Committee’s comments on the Epping Forest Country Care Annual Report was received which expressed gratitude for the Town Council’s support for Country Care.  Councillor Starling advised Committee in respect of continued trips from areas of the new piazza which relate to the lack of a dropped kerb. Councillor Macrae advised members of the increased problems with the graffiti around the Town; Kim Tucky of EFDC licensing had been approached by Councillor Murphy to try to get movement on enforcement against late night rogue taxis.  Councillor Macrae and the Clerk advised Committee of the difficulties with on-going retention of the Bury Lane site for the Epping Sports Clubs, it is clear that development pressures are now making it problematical for the renewal of leases which also has an effect on the availability of grant funding for sports development.

 

366.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

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

 

EPF/0030/08

Eppingdene

Ivy Chimneys

Mr & Mrs Halford

Single storey rear extension.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0104/08

5 St John’s Road

Mr & Mrs J  Brothers

Single storey rear extension.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

LB

EPF/0106/08

5 St John’s Road

Mr & Mrs J  Brothers

Grade II listed building application for a single storey rear extension.

While Committee had no objection to this application, it did make the request that the conservation officer should carefully look at the small window to be set into the side of the existing building which committee felt to be incongruous.

 

 

EPF/0111/08

10 Regent Road

Mr N Ayriss

First floor extension.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0116/08

(Amended Appl.)

41 Beaconfield Road

Mr R P Flatt

Two storey and single storey rear extensions.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0118/08

23 Crows Road

Mr A Swann

Conversion and extension of existing dwelling into three self contained flats with subdivision of garden to rear.

Committee object to this application viewing it as an overdevelopment of the site. This will result in the loss of a family home within a streetscape of family homes, a likely loss of amenity to adjacent properties due to disturbance; inadequate parking and inadequate amenity space within the subject property.

 

 

EPF/0120/08

35 Bury Road

A Oatham

Single storey side garage extension and loft conversion with hip to gable roof alterations and dormer windows to front and read.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0126/08

180 High Street

Dental Active Ltd

Change of use from A1 to A1/D1 Dental Surgery

Committee object to this application because it will result in the loss of a valued retail unit.

 

 

EPF/0158/08

(Revised Appl.)

11 Sunnyside Road

Avrum Forest

Erection of replacement dwelling and residential development to rear to create a total of 5 no. dwellings.

Committee note that this is a revised application, however, the revisions neither appear to address the concerns of  committee in respect of this application nor the concerns of the district council. Committee therefore continue to object to this proposal.  The elevated position of much of this site means that particular care needs to be given to the overall effect created by the proposals.  The density of the proposed development suggests a considerable loss of amenity to neighbouring properties from noise issues, including parking activities, may be anticipated.  This road is busy and the development proposes limited access which will create new problems.  Committee still consider this proposal an overdevelopment of the site and could only support a proposal of a more limited nature.

 

 

EPF/0167/08

65 Rayfield

Mr A Moreton

Single storey rear extension.

Committee object to this proposal and take the view that it results in loss of amenity to neighbouring properties by reason of the depth of the extension.

 

 

EPF/0178/08

Bar 195 (former Half Moon)

26 High Street

Mr S Andrews

Retention of elevational changes including removal of doors and windows, change of position of doors on front porch, change of window style, rendering and painting, construction of decking and amendments to conservatory.

Committee object to this development because it does not respect the building and adversely affects the street scene.  The site is close to, and very visible from, Epping’s conservation area and the proposals are out of keeping with the conservation area and will affect this important feature of Epping.  Committee also expressed concern that this scale of change should be made without the benefit of a planning consent and feels that this increasing habit is damaging to the credibility of the planning system.

 

 

EPF/0179/08

Bar 195 (former Half Moon)

26 High Street

Mr S Andrews

Erection of illuminated wall sign.

Committee object to this development because it does not respect the building and adversely affects the street scene.  The site is close to, and very visible from, Epping’s conservation area and the proposals are out of keeping with the conservation area and will affect this important feature of Epping.  Committee also expressed concern that this scale of change should be made without the benefit of a planning consent and feels that this increasing habit is damaging to the credibility of the planning system.

 

 

EPF/0200/08

87 High Street

C Cousins

Change of use from A1 (retail) to A2 (financial & Professional)

Committee object to this loss of a further retail unit from Epping centre.

 

 

367.     CC/EPF/55/07 – CURRENT EPPING INFANT SCHOOL, CORONATION HILL, EPPING – DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING INFANT SCHOOL AND ITS REPLACEMENT WITH A 420 PLACE PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

Committee NOTED the advice in respect of the Epping Infant School.

 

368.     ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, VARIOUS PARISHES, EPPING FOREST) (RESTRICTION OF WAITING) (AMENDMENT No. 14) ORDER 2008

 

Committee NOTED the order in respect of parking arrangements and RESOLVED that no action should be taken in this matter

 

369.    EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

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

 

GRANTED:  

 

EPF/2285/07

EPF/2549/07

EPF/2452/07

EPF/2550/07

EPF/2552/07

EPF/2556/07

(Revised Appl.)

EPF/2561/07

EPF/2582/07

 

REFUSED:  

 

EPF/2403/07

(Revised Appl.)

EPF/2511/07