Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2019 were approved as a correct record subject to Councillor Doran’s apologies being recorded.

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 Evans reported that he had had conversations with Mrs McGrath and spoken to the County Highways Officer in relation to application 18/01259/FUL but had maintained an impartial role, not expressed any views and had kept an open mind.

Michael Graham, Head of Corporate Governance, reported an acquaintance with Mrs McGrath, the public speaker against the application, through a professional membership association involved in local government.

Sunbury East

Planning application seeking approval for the conversion, extension and alterations to the existing old Police Station building to provide 4 flats, together with the erection of a new 2 storey building to provide an additional 4 flats following the demolition of the existing outbuildings.  The proposal includes car parking, landscaping, access and associated works.

Officer recommendation: to approve the application.

Description:

This application sought approval for the erection of a first floor rear extension and conversion of the existing former Police Station building into 4 no. two bedroom flats and erection of a detached two storey building to provide 4 flats, comprising 2 no. two bedroom flats and 2 no. one bedroom flats together with associated parking, amenity space, cycle and refuge storage following demolition of existing garages and outbuildings.

Additional Information:

The Planning Development Manager gave the following update:

Page 16, para. 5.1 – The number of representations should read 16, not 5.  This included a response from SCAN making comments over the Equalities Act and lift provision.

Public Speaking:

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

·Inadequate car parking

·Highway safety/danger concerns

·No pedestrian crossing facility

·14 children live in Priory Close

·Loss of light to surrounding dwellings

·Loss of privacy to surrounding dwellings

In accordance with the public speaking procedures, Laura Dootson spoke for the proposal raising the following comments:

·The Old Police Station building was of local heritage and the design preserved this and treated it with respect.

·Further accommodation was needed to finance the conversion of the Old Police Station building

·The BRE guidance for light had been used and concluded there would be no detrimental impact

·Cars would be able to enter and leave Priory Close in forward gear

·Will assist with housing targets

In accordance with the public speaking procedures, Ward Councillor Daxa Patel spoke against the proposal raising the following comments:

·The site access was located off a narrow road and the access was narrow

·The density was higher than the surroundings

·Inadequate amenity space would be provided

During the debate, the following key issues were raised:

·Adverse impact on residents in Prior Close

·Site was economically challenging to develop

·Adverse impact on highway congestion

·Adverse impact on highway safety

·No objection from the County Highway Authority

·Inadequate amenity space

·It was not practical to cross the road to walk to the amenity space off The Avenue

·Concerns over refuse collection

The application was deferred to enable a site visit to take place between the County Highway Authority and the Planning Committee and to enable the Committee members to discuss their concerns with the County Highway Authority.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.