Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2020/21.

It was proposed by Councillor N. Gething and seconded by Councillor N. Islam that Councillor M. Gibson be appointed Chairman of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2020-21.

It was proposed by Councillor C.L. Bateson and seconded by Councillor J. Vinson that Councillor T. Lagden be appointed Chairman of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2020-21.

Resolved that Councillor T. Lagden be appointed Chairman of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2020/21.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2020 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2020 were approved as a correct record.

To appoint the Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2020/21.

It was proposed by Councillor N. Gething and seconded by Councillor S. Dunn that Councillor M. Gibson be appointed Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2020-21.

It was proposed by Councillor A. Brar and seconded by Councillor B. Spoor that Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley be appointed Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2020-21.

Resolved that Councillor M. Gibson be appointed Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2020-21

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

Councillors S. Dunn, N. Gething, T. Lagden, R. Sider, V. Siva, R.A. Smith-Ainsley, B. Spoor and J. Vinson reported that they had received correspondence in relation to Application 2/00449/FUL, The Limes, 11A-11B Station Crescent, Ashford and Councillor M. Gibson had visited the site.  All  had maintained an impartial role, had not expressed any views and had kept an open mind.

Ward

Laleham and Shepperton Green

Proposal

Officer recommendation

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions

Description:

The application sought approval to install 6 no. 15m high floodlight columns with 2 no. LED lights per column around an existing football pitch located on the Laleham Recreation Ground, off the Broadway, Laleham.

Additional Information:

The Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee that one additional letter had been received from a resident raising comments relating to the amended application form submitted last month which replaced the original form.

In response to this, the Case Officer wrote to the resident clarifying the position on the application form and the amended ownership certificate submitted.

Public Speaking:

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

•           The Trustees permission was needed

•           Timing of floodlight use

•           There were no benefits to the local community

•           Concern about future possible extension of time

•           No mention of electrical infrastructure

•           Archaeology

•           High number of letters of objection received

•           Light pollution, noise and associated impact on neighbouring properties

•           Harmful impact on the Conservation Area

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

•           The recreation ground was not public land

•           No trustees permission gained

•           Harmful impact on the Green Belt and Conservation Area

•           Disagreed with the Conservation Officer’s comments

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•          Changes in planning policy (NPPF) since the last planning application

•          The difference in size compared to the previous application

•          Impact of lighting

•          Effect on the Green Belt

•          Proposal commensurate with the site

•          Timing of use restrictions

•          Impact on the Conservation area and the setting of Listed Buildings

•          Noise

•          Out of character

•          Advancement of lighting technology

•          Land ownership issues

•          Visual impact of the lighting columns

•          Concern about future extension of timing of lighting usage

Decision:

The application was approved subject to conditions as per the Planning Committee report.

Ward

Ashford Town

Proposal

The application proposes a change of use of the existing building from an Elderly Care Home to a Children’s Home with associated alterations.

Officer Recommendation

The application is recommended for approval.

Description:

This application proposed a change of use of the existing building from an Elderly Care Home to a Children’s Home with associated alterations.

Additional Information:

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that:

One additional letter of representation had been received, which contained a petition with 76 signatories objecting to the loss of care home spaces at the site.

The new issues raised, which had not already been referred to in previous letters of representation included the shortfall of care bed spaces outlined in the Council’s updated Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA), concerns over the loss of a community facility, the increasing age of the population, and concerns that the operational differences between an elderly care home and a children’s home would lead to an increase in traffic.  The letter also requested the imposition of conditions on any planning permission, which would limit the children’s home use to a temporary one year period, and which would restrict any further changes of use even within the same C2 use class. 

Paragraph 7.54 of the Officer’s report should read “However Surrey Police recommended that carers, who would be provided with onsite accommodation on the ground floor, should be provided with accommodation that is distinct from the residents”.

Public Speaking:

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

•           Loss of existing use and lack of facilities in the area

•           Impact on neighbouring properties

•           Car parking

•           Increase in staff car movements

•           Noise impact

•           Temporary planning permission if application is approved

•           Conditions should be imposed restricting the use of the property

•           Supporting information submitted is insufficient

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

·         Impact on the character of the area

·         Effect on the amenity of neighbouring properties

·         Not clear on the age of the occupants

·         Uncertain future use of the site

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•           Reasonable use of conditions

•           Original restrictive use condition

•          Concern about the proposed use and the information provided by the applicant

•           Proximity to neighbouring houses

•           Noise

Decision:

The application was approved as per the Planning Committee report.

Ward

Ashford East

Proposal

To confirm the Tree Preservation Order No. 264/2020

Officer Recommendation

To confirm the TPO without modification.

Description:

Tree Preservation Order relating to land to the front of Rowland Hill Almshouses, Feltham Hill Road, Ashford.

Additional Information:

There was none.

Public Speaking:

There were no public speakers for this item.

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•           Status of trees protected by TPOs

•           Benefit of protecting trees

Decision:

The Tree Protection Order was confirmed without modification.

Ward

Laleham and Shepperton Green

Proposal

To confirm the Tree Preservation Order No. 265/2020

Officer Recommendation

To confirm the TPO without modification.

Description:

Tree Preservation Order relating to Littleton Recreation Ground, Laleham Road, Shepperton.

Additional Information:

There was none.

Public Speaking:

There were no public speakers for this item.

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

•        Residents have been concerned about the proposed development on the site and the impact on the tree.

Decision:

The Tree Protection Order was confirmed without modification.

To note details of the planning appeals submitted and decisions received between 19 December 2019 and 3 July 2020.

The Chairman informed the Committee that if any Member had any detailed queries regarding the report on Appeals lodged and decisions received since the last meeting, they should contact the Planning Development Manager.

Resolved that the report of the Planning Development Manager be received and noted.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.