MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 31ST JULY 2007

 

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

 

IN ATTENDANCE        Cllr Mrs J. Hedges

 

OFFICER                       Bob Whittome (Town Clerk)

 

 

 

105.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

            There were no apologies for absence.

 

106.     CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 17th July 2007, were confirmed following Cllr Murphy’s request that his second initial be altered to ‘D’ and therefore his name would read B.D. Murphy.

 

107.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Councillor Murphy declared a personal and prejudicial interest in applications EPF/1494/07

            and  LB/EPF/1495/07.

 

            Councillor Smith declared a personal interest in application EPF/1307/07.

 

            Councillor Macrae declared a personal interest in EPF/1494/07 and LB/EPF/1495/07.

 

            Councillor Murphy declared a personal interest in EPF/1307/07.

 

 

108.     REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

            The Clerk advised Committee of the temporary road closure notice received for Coopersale Common for five days from Monday, 13th August, and of a diversion route that had also been notified to Council.  The Clerk also advised Committee of the withdrawal of application EPF/1190/07 in relation to land adjacent to Harness Cottage, Lower Bury Lane, for the erection of four semi-detached, environmentally friendly homes. The implementation of a Tree Preservation Order at land to the south of The Elms was also notified to Committee.

 

The Clerk advised Committee of receipt of two requests in relation to the parking review; a request from Cllr Avey for double white lines in Kendal Avenue near the junction to Station Road to ensure that the approach from the bridge is not obstructed by parked cars; a Mr Windrow requested double yellow lines adjacent to the entrance to the recreation ground on Stonards Hill and also double yellow lines on Hemnall from the High Street to Station Road.  Cllr Mrs Hedges was concerned that too many residents’ permits were being issued for too few residents parking bays; Cllr Macrae requested that attention be given to the need for residents permits and visitors permits and the permit scheme at Theydon Grove.  In view of the fact that Committee has already resolved to pass such information to the District in preparation for the Parking Scheme Review, these matters will all be reported to the District Council in due course.

 

109.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

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

 

EPF/1473/07

(Revised Appl.)

 

The Old Rectory

Coopersale Common

Mr & Mrs Balasuriya

Single storey rear extension

Committee object to this application.  It is a green belt development and there doesn’t appear an adequate reason to allow such a development in the green belt.  Committee also expressed concern at the incremental developments taking place at this property and the gradual erosion of green belt land as a result.

 

 

LB/

EPF/1474/07

(Revised Appl.)

 

The Old Rectory

Coopersale Common

Mr & Mrs Balasuriya

Grade II listed building application for single storey rear extension

Committee object to this application.  It is a green belt development and there doesn’t appear an adequate reason to allow such a development in the green belt.  Committee also expressed concern at the incremental developments taking place at this property and the gradual erosion of green belt land as a result.

 

 

EPF/1493/07

Wensley House

Bell Comon

Beling & Co. Ltd

Erection of a single storey linked side extension for an additional sitting room.

Committee had not objection to this application.

 

 

EPF/1494/07

 

Coopersale Hall School

Flux’s Lane

Coopersale Hall School

Infill small area of enclosed yard to extend equipment store.

 

Cllr Murphy, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter withdrew from the chamber until the decision had been made.

 

Committee had no objection to this application

 

 

LB/

EPF/1495/07

Coopersale Hall School

Flux’s Lane

Coopersale Hall School

Grade II listed building consent for infilling small area of enclosed yard to extend equipment store.

 

Cllr Murphy, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter withdrew from the chamber until the decision had been made.

 

Committee had no objection to this application

 

 

A/

EPF/0647/07

217 High Street

Winchmore Hill Plumbing Supplies

Erection of illuminated sign.

Committee had no objection to this application

 

 

EPF/1307/07

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 at a premium for this kind of facility.  Committee also expressed concern at the loss of amenity that this represented for neighbouring properties.

 

 

EPF/1390/07

17 Theydon Place

Mr Chamberlain

Replacement and enlargement of conservatory to rear elevation.

Committee had no objection to this application

 

 

EPF/1548/07

Gardiner House

6a & 6b Hemnall Street

Mr & Mrs Taylor

Change of use from mixed A1 (Retail) and B1 (Business) to A2 (Financial & Professional Services) use.

Committee had no objection to this application

 

 

EPF/1555/07

TPO/10/76

 

Coniston Court

Bower Hill

Mrs M. Farrow

Oak: crown lift to 5m; crown thin by 20%

Committee object to this application and are concerned that excessive works are proposed to this attractive tree.

 

 

EPF/1582/07

Former Batchelors

269 High Street

Fat Face Ltd

New Shop Front and interior fittings and installation of three external air conditioning units

Committee had no objection to this application but were concerned that the drawing doesn’t show the retention of chimneys, however, Committee recognised that this omission is probably because the shop front is the subject of the application.

 

Cllr Miss Dunseath requested that her objection to this application be recorded in the minutes.

 

 

LB/

EPF/1583/07

Former Batchelors

269 High Street

Fat Face Ltd

Grade II listed building application for a new shop front, signage and interior fittings and installation of three external air conditioning units

Committee had no objection to this application but were concerned that the drawing  doesn’t show the retention of chimneys, however, Committee recognised that this omission is probably because the shop front is the subject of the application.

 

Cllr Miss O.D. Dunseath requested that her objection to this application be recorded in the minutes.

 

 

A/

EPF/1584/07

Former Batchelors

269 High Street

Fat Face Ltd

New non-illuminated fascia sign, projecting sign and canopy.

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

           

 

110.     EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

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

 

GRANTED:  

 

EPF/0992/07

 

EPF/1225/07

A/EPF/1103/07

EPF/1097/07

EPF1209/07

 

REFUSED:

 

EPF/1069/06