MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 26^TH FEBRUARY 2008

PRESENT:              Councillors: K. Avey (Chairman), J.A. Smith, R. Macrae, J. Lewis, N. Hines (Town Mayor) and B.D.Murphy  (Deputy Town Mayor)

IN ATTENDANCE   H. Pegrum

OFFICER:                Bob Whittome  (Town Clerk)

392.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss O.D. Dunseath by reason of health and Miss M. Starling as a result of a personal emergency.

393.     CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Committee RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting on 12^th February 2008.

394.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors K. Avey and J.A. Smith declared prejudicial interests in respect of planning application EPF/0212/08 because they are trustees of Theydon Trust.

395.  REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

The Clerk advised Members of a response in respect of market trader parking from the County Council Highways Section.  Councillor Macrae had advised Members in regard to the Speak Easy bar, that enforcement action has taken place and resulted in a change to the sign.  However, there were still matters in respect of signage and the use which required action.  Councillor Murphy advised Members in respect of parking at the Epping Tube Station which suggested that Transport for London had no current intention to expand parking for tube commuters.

Councillor Murphy also advised Members in respect of the car parking review.  The County Council will carry out the review in consultation with the district council and the issue of placing double yellow lines at the corners of streets was apparently being considered.  The Clerk requested Members to separately pass a note of any new concerns or issues they may wish to raise in respect of the parking review so that the Clerk can include these in a summary letter in respect of the issues raised so far by the Town Council.

396.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

397.     ST MARGARET’S HOSPITAL OBJECTION - REQUEST FOR SUPPORT

Committee considered a request from a local group for support of their objection to the current planning proposals.  The group had requested a variety of different actions which would assist them and the Clerk advised Members that some of these items may require a section 137 expenditure.  Committee RESOLVED to delegate to the Clerk authority to comply or give assistance to the local interest group in so far as that assistance does not require section 137 expenditure and for an item to appear on the full Council agenda, if appropriate, to deal with other items.

Councillor Avey expressed concern at the quality of title to the land proposed for the hospital residential development and requested that this matter be investigated.  Committee recognise that this was not a planning matter, however, Committee did RESOLVE that the Clerk should send a freedom of information request to the PCT for information regarding the title to the land.

398.     ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL – INTRODUCTION OF 1 APP & LOCAL VALIDATION CHECKLISTS – REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPORTING INFORMATION SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

Committee noted this information and AGREED to defer consideration of this matter until the next Committee meeting.

399.     EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL – 1 APP APPLICATION FORMS & DRAFT VALIDATION CHECKLISTS

Committee noted this information and AGREED to defer consideration of this matter until the next Committee meeting.

400.     CIVIC AWARD

Committee considered nominations for this award and RESOLVED that Fat Face should be awarded the Civic Award for this year in recognition of its very fine refurbishment of a cherished local property.

401.     EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

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

GRANTED:

REFUSED: