To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors under the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, or contact with applicants/objectors under the Planning Code.

a) Disclosures of interest under the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were none.

b) Declarations of interest under the Council’s Planning Code

Councillor Mooney reported that she had received correspondence in relation to application 18/00599/FUL, 32 Desford Way, Ashford, TW15 3AT but had maintained an impartial role, had not expressed any views and had kept an open mind.

Description:

This retrospective application sought approval for the use of the property as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) to allow accommodation for seven people.

Additional Information:

There was none.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Linda Needham spoke against the proposed development raising the following key points:

•           Insufficient parking

•           Other houses have been denied consent to form an access

•           Inadequate drainage

•           Commercial vehicles park on site

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Jorge Nash spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

•           Planning permission for 6 residents living as an HMO isn’t required

•           There is adequate on and off street parking provision

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Councillor Mooney spoke as Ward Councillor against the proposed development raising the following key points:

•           Concern over retrospective nature of proposal

•           Parking concerns

•           External changes to the site

•           Locality is a community area

•           Overdevelopment of the site

•           Had been approached by several residents from Desford Way and Residents Association

•           Commercial vehicles parking on site

•           Site is close to Hounslow where there are a lot of HMOs

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•          Parking difficulties in the road/lack of parking provided

•          Drainage issues

•          1.5 miles from railway station

•          Cumulative impact of proposal

•          Essentially a dwelling with 7 flats

•          House looks like a shed.

•          Planning rules have not been breached

•          Retrospective planning application

•          Has been an HMO for 2 years with no objections

Decision:

The Application was approved as per the recommendation in the Committee report.

Description:

This application sought enforcement action requiring the removal of an unauthorised houseboat/mobile home, cessation of use of the land for residential purposes and the removal of associated building debris and rubbish.

Additional Information:

There was none.

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•          No problem with taking enforcement action

•          Green Belt concerns

•          Query over whether it was a boat or mobile home

Decision:

The recommendation to take enforcement action was approved. Such Notice to be complied with within 6 months of it taking effect.

Reasons for Serving of Notice:

The houseboat/mobile home represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt for which there are no very special circumstances. The development reduces the openness of the Green Belt thereby causing unacceptable harm. The development is, therefore, contrary to Saved Local Plan Policy GB1 and Section 9 (Protecting Green Belt Land) of the NPPF.

The development is located within the flood plain where new residential development is precluded in order to protect people and property which are at particular risk in major flood events. The development reduces flood storage capacity and impedes the flow of flood water. The development is, therefore, contrary to Policy LO1 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009.

Councillor Thomson arrived during the debate on this issue but did not take part in the debate and did not vote.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.