MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 22ND MAY 2007

 

PRESENT                  Councillors: K. Avey (Chairman), Miss O D Dunseath (Vice Chairman); Miss M. Starling, J.A. Smith, R. Macrae, J. Lewis, N. Hines (Town Mayor)

 

IN ATTENDANCE     Councillors B. Murphy and Mrs. J. Hedges

 

OFFICER                    Bob Whittome (Town Clerk)

 

 

19.       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

No apologies for absence were received.

 

20.       MINUTES OF DECISIONS AT THE ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING-15TH MAY

 

Committee NOTED that the minutes of planning decisions made at the Annual Council Meeting will appear for confirmation with the Town Council’s minutes for that meeting. A copy of the decisions will be held in Committee’s Minute Book.

 

21.       DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

 

No Member declared an interest in any item of this agenda

 

22.       REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

The Clerk advised Members that a consultation request had been received from the Essex County Council Highways Section in regard to Prohibition of Waiting Amendment Orders.  The consultation documents are very large and will appear on the next available agenda for Committee..

 

23.       PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Four applications for planning permission were considered and the plans inspected, and additionally, Committee NOTED the imposition of a Tree Preservation Order number EPF/02/07 in respect of trees on land to the south of The Elms, Fiddlers Hamlet .

 

Committee examined a Licence Application which had been passed to Council for consultation for a van to sell refreshments adjacent to the Water Fountain in Epping High Street from 10pm to 3am on Thursdays to Saturdays.  Committee RESOLVED that the following response should be made to this application: 

 

Concern was expressed about the level of difficulty already being experienced when Club 195 closes. It was felt that another refreshment outlet near to Club 195 may retain party-goers in an area where police would rather see them disperse quickly.  Committee were also concerned at attracting heavy goods vehicles to park up in the High Street for the purpose of obtaining refreshments. Litter was also felt to be a significant problem with this kind of outlet.  Overall, it was felt that plenty of other food outlets exist in the Town and it is not necessary to provide a further outlet which is only likely to cause problems and disturbance for the Town’s residents.

 

EPF/0908/07

 

1 Lower Bury Lane

Mrs J.E. Newman

Lime x 7 - repollard

 Beech – reduce overhang

EPF/26/91

Committee had no objection to this application provided all work is carried out under the supervision of the District Council’s Arboriculturist.

 

 

EPF/0926/07

244 High Street

Woush Ltd t/a Belgique

Change of use from Sui Generis to A1 use

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/0963/07

21 Regent Road

Mr S Nancarrow

Two storey side extension

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

LB/

EPF/0984/07

269 High Street

B  Elmon

Grade II listed building application for repairs to structure and general building fabric.

Committee had no objection to this application, only provided the conservation officer is completely satisfied that the plan showing the existing layout for this application is accurate and will prove a satisfactory basis for alterations which are in keeping with the retention and preservation of a historic listed building of considerable importance to Epping.  Committee did wish to point to the unsatisfactory nature of plans and elevations showing the existing structure for previous applications.

 

 

 

24.       CONSULTATION – APPLICATION FOR A DISPERSAL ORDER (UNDER THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ACT 2003) FOR EPPING HIGH STREET AND SURROUNDING AREAS

 

Committee discussed the imposition of the Dispersal Order noted above and examined the map showing the area of the Dispersal Order.  Committee expressed considerable concern about the extent of the Dispersal Order and the displacement of anti-social behaviour to other areas of the Town, notably Stonards Hill.  Members were concerned that these matters should be brought to the attention of the District Council and also that Members of Committee should carry these matters forward to other forums for  discussion on policing issues in Epping.  Committee RESOLVED to support the dispersal order. 

 

25.       EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

Committee NOTED the decisions of Epping Forest District Council Plans Sub-Committee.

 

GRANTED:  

 

EPF/0698/07

EPF/0446/07

(Revised Appl)

 

EPF/0654/07

TPO 33/00

 

 

REFUSED:

 

No applications were refused.