MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 14th AUGUST 2007

 

 

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

 

           

OFFICER       Gill Ratcliff (Senior Admin Officer)

 

 

 

133.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies were received from J Lewis.

 

134.    CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 31st July 2007, were confirmed.

 

135.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Councillor Murphy declared a personal interest in applications EPF/1586/07, EPF1618/07 and EFP1629/07

 

Councillor Smith declared a personal interest in application EPF/1629/07.

 

Councillor Macrae declared a personal interest in EPF/1629/07.

 

136.    REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

Councillor Macrae advised Committee that the pavement tables outside Costa Coffee had been removed by the manager after a verbal complaint about a possible “security risk”.   He felt that this current situation should be clarified as soon as possible.  

 

The Senior Admin Officer advised Committee of the temporary road closure notices received for the B181 Epping road at Epping Upland from 20th August 2007 for five days for essential maintenance work and for surface dressing on the B182 Bury Lane (from Thatched Cottage to the junction with the B181) on a date yet to be decided in August.

 

The Senior Admin Officer advised Committee that the organiser of the Town Show was in hospital having tests.  Members would be advised later of the implications regarding the Town Show arrangements.

 

137.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

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

 

 

EPF/1586/07

 

99a Centre Drive

Mr & Mrs Banting

Variation of grant of consent (reference EPF/1953/06) for front, rear and side extensions, plus conservatory and loft conversion to existing bungalow involving alterations to roof design.

The Senior Admin Officer advised Committee that letters in support of this application had been received from Mr Banting and his immediate neighbour.   These were read to Committee.

 

After considering the additional information provided by Mr Banting, Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/1604/07

24-26 Coopersale Street

Simon Beckley

New five-bar gates and gravel turning area.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

LB/

EPF/1608/07

24-26 Coopersale Street

Simon Beckley

Grade II listed building application for a new five-bar gates and gravel turning area.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/1629/07

16 Crows Road

Mr & Mrs J. Batchelor

Two storey rear extension including linked garage conversion.

Committee object to this application as it was felt that it was an overbearing development with a risk of overlooking the adjacent property with consequent loss of amenity.

 

 

EPF/1618/07

(CC/EPF/0091/07)

Centrepoint

23 St John’s Road

Essex County Council

 

County Council application for the installation of temporary two classroom relocatable unit, construction of a new pathway and play area, site enclosure and partial boarding of the colonnade of the existing Centre Point building, for temporary use by Epping Infant School whilst the new Epping Infant School is under construction.

Committee had no objection to this application as long as the safety of the children was taken into account regarding St John’s Road.  Committee’s previous comments regarding the boarding of the colonnade are still valid and were keen to point out that it should be a temporary measure whilst the building was being used as a school only.

 

 

EPF/1492/07

4 Creeds Cottages

P.Chapman

New rooflight to front elevation

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/1652/07

179 High Street

Arun Estate Agencies Ltd

New Shopfront

Committee object to this application as it was felt that the new shopfront would be detrimental to the street scene in the conservation area where there is a presumption that the street scene should be conserved or enhanced.

 

 

EPF/1668/07

11 Institute Road

Mr James Kerr

Two storey side and rear extension.

Committee object to this application as it was felt that the proposed extension was an overdevelopment which would be out of keeping with the street scene and in front of the building line.

 

 

 

138.    EPF/0114/07 – 86 THE PLAIN – REPLACE EXISTING GARAGE WITH TWO STOREY DOUBLE GARAGE

 

Committee noted that an appeal had been made in respect of the above site and RESOLVED no further comments were necessary.

 

139.    PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY CONSULTATION – RIGHT TO APPLY FOR ORDERS TO EXTINGUISH AND DIVERT AND RIGHTS OF APPEAL

 

Committee noted the draft of responses which had been prepared and RESOLVED that these responses should be sent to DEFRA.

 

140.    EPPING IN BLOOM

 

Committee NOTED the nomination forms received from Councillors regarding the competition.   Committee RESOLVED that The Merry Fiddlers was the winning establishment and a letter would be sent to them inviting them to the next Council Meeting to be presented with a Rosebowl and Certificate. 

 

141.    EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

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

 

GRANTED:  

 

EPF/1008/07

LB/EPF/1218/07

EPF/1413/07

EPF/1364/07

EPF/1360/07

EPF/1288/07

EPF/1263/07

EPF/1163/07

LB/EPF/0984/07

 

 

REFUSED:

 

EPF/1000/07

EPF/1227/07