MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

HELD AT EPPING HALL ON TUESDAY 6TH MAY 2008

 

 

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

 

IN ATTENDANCE:   Councillor Mrs J Hedges

 

OFFICER:                  Bob Whittome  (Town Clerk)

 

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Lewis by reason of sickness.

 

2.         CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

Committee RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting on 22nd April 2008.

 

3.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

The following Members declared a non-prejudicial interest in application TPO/EPF/0783/08: B D Murphy, Mrs J Hedges, J A Smith, Miss O D Dunseath, Miss M Starling.

           

4.         REPORTS AND INFORMATION NOT REQUIRING A DECISION OF COMMITTEE

 

The Clerk advised Committee of the imposition of a Tree Preservation Order at Forest House, Thornwood Road; the closure of Station Road for water works for four days from 20th May; that arrangements had been made for the Stop Stansted Expansion Group to address Committee and local people in public session following the next Planning & General Purposes Committee.

 

Councillor Macrae advised Members that Marks & Spencer have now taken over  the Co-op building and also that Councillor Macrae has managed to put an item in the press in relation to recent dog fouling episodes in Epping.

 

5.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

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

 

The Chairman advised Committee that application EPF/0790/08 had now been withdrawn. 

 

EPF/0678/08

(Revised Appl)

 

Land adj Harness Cottage

Lower Bury Lane

Sylvia Tunstall

Erection of 4 semi-detached homes.

Committee object to this application and note that although the application has been further revised, it essentially remains an overdevelopment of the site.  The access to the site, and traffic arrangements within the site,  do not appear adequate for the scale of development proposed.  The extra traffic would be disruptive and cause a loss of amenity to adjacent properties by reason of noise disturbance.  It appears that the proposal would result in significant overlooking of adjacent properties garden.  The proposals still appear to be likely to marginalise the importance of trees at this site.  Committee remains of the opinion that consent for two houses that has applied to this site in the past is still a reasonable capacity for the site.  Consent for two houses will result in less problems with access, cause less disturbance to neighbouring properties and be altogether a more environmentally  pleasing concept.

 

 

EPF/0691/08

 

12 Lower Bury Lane

Mr D Evans

Rear conservatory

Committee had no objection to this application.

 

 

TPO/

EPF/0698/08

25 Church Hill

Mr Brian Cook

Cherry: Fell

TPO/EPF/12/07 T1

Committee object to this application and recommend refusal.  The District Council’s arboriculturist have, in the past, suggested that this tree is important within the landscape.  Therefore, Committee would prefer to see a moderate pruning regime undertaken.

 

 

EPF/0729/08

 

24 Lynceley Grange

M & S Jones

Extension to ground floor, conservatory and loft conversion

Committee had no objection to this application, however, Committee did express some concern at the inaccurate description of the works.

 

 

TPO/

EPF/0759/08

7A Buttercross Lane

Mrs M Born

Minor trimming of Yew and crown reduction

TPO/25/01

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

 

 

TPO/

EPF/0783/08

 

Adj 46 Highfield Green & Apple Tree Cottage

Bury Lane

Mr & Mrs H Pennington

Horse Chestnut: selective pruning as specified

TPO/26/91

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

 

 

EPF/0790/08

(Amended Appl)

 

30 Kendal Avenue

Mr K Avey

Erection of first floor rear utility room with solar roof panels

Application Withdrawn

 

 

EPF/0819/08

 

52 St Johns Road

Mr A Toron-Shaw

Roof extension with additional rear dormer window for a proposed office/study.

Committee object to this application and consider it will lead to a loss of amenity to neighbouring properties.

 

 

6.         EFDC PLANNING DECISIONS

 

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

 

GRANTED:

 

EPF/0179/08

 

EPF/0200/08

 

EPF/0217/08

(Revised Appl)

 

EPF/0311/08

EPF/0328/08

EPF/0367/08

 

EPF/0375/08

EPF/0441/08

 

REFUSED:

 

EPF/0178/08

EPF/0293/08