Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Mrs J Meek, currently Head of Economic Regeneration, who would be attending future meetings of the Development Control Committee following her recent promotion to the post of Head of Development and Regeneration with effect from October 2005.

The Chair also introduced Ms D Roberts, the newly appointed Trainee Democratic Services Officer, who was attending her first meeting of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Caunce, Morgan and Mrs J Snape.

Members of the Committee are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the room and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

In accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members’ Code of Conduct, the following Members declared a respective interest in relation to the Planning Applications indicated below, which were included on the meeting’s agenda for determination:

Councillors D Gee, T Gray, Russell and Whittaker - Item 6, A.1:Planning Application 05/00319/LCC.

Councillor Brown - Item 6, B.3:Planning Application 05/00442/FUL.

A number of Members expressed their concerns at the constraints imposed on them by the Local Code of Conduct in Planning Matters, which the Councillors felt was restricting too rigidly their role as Ward Councillors.  The Deputy Director of Legal Services reminded the Committee of the provisions of the Local Code of Conduct, with which all Councillors had agreed to comply, and which clarified the roles and responsibilities of Members on planning issues.  At the conclusion of the debate, the Chair recommended that the issues and concerns aired by the Committee Members, in addition to a review of the current membership of the Development Control Committee, be raised and discussed at a future meeting of the Standards Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 24 May 2005 (enclosed).

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 24 May 2005 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of Head of Planning Services (enclosed)

The Head of Planning Services presented a report on the provisions of the new Planning Policy Statement 6 (PPS.6) entitled ‘Planning for Town Centres’.

The new PPS.6 did not place greater emphasis on retail use in comparison with any other town centre uses.  It supported the concept that city, town and smaller centres should be the preferred location for retail, leisure, arts, culture and tourism activities at an appropriate scale.  A positive plan led approach was advocated along with the promotion of high quality design schemes and the most efficient use of land.

The report pointed out that Consultants had been appointed to undertake a health check of Chorley town centre and to prepare a Town Centre, Retail and Leisure Study and Action Plan, which would accordingly inform the Local Development Framework and town centre work.  Subsequently, preferred options for the town centre would be identified for consultation purposes, together with proposed wider policies for retail and leisure.  Ultimately a Development Plan Document would be produced for independent examination by the Secretary of State.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

Report of Head of Planning Services (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Head of Planning Services giving notification of the lodging of appeals against the refusal of planning permission for two developments; one appeal that had been withdrawn; one planning appeal that had been dismissed and one appeal that had been allowed by the Planning Inspectorate’ and three instances where planning permission had been granted by the Lancashire County Council.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

(Councillors D Gee, T Gray, Russell and Whittaker declared an interest in the following application and each Member left the meeting during the discussion and voting on the proposal).

The Committee’s observations had been sought by the Lancashire County Council on the above application for planning permission for the extraction and processing for sale of approximately 4.32 million tonnes of high grade sand from a total area of 68 hectares on land west of the M6 motorway between Dawbers Lane and Runshaw Lane, and north of Runshaw Lane, Euxton, including the construction of a new access road, processing plant with associated stock piling areas, weighbridge and office building, with progressive restoration to agriculture and conservation area.

The application would, ultimately, be determined by the County Council.

It was moved by the Chair (Councillor A Lowe), seconded by the Vice-Chairman (Councillor Parr), and subsequently RESOLVED (19:0):

(1) That the Borough Council raises an objection to Planning Application 05/00319/LCC on the following grounds:

1. There is insufficient evidence that there are not environmentally less sensitive locations available to supply high grade sand to the local area.

2. The increased HGV traffic on local roads will adversely affect

     1) The amenity of the local community; and

     2) Other users of local roads.

3. The applicants have not provided sufficient details to prove that the proposal will comply with the emerging EU limits for air quality objectives for PM₁₀’s which will cover the extraction period.  The intended limit value has been ignored in the applicants report.

4. The proposal will be detrimental to the amenities of local residents and to the users of the attractive countryside with contains the application site.

(2) That, in the event of the Lancashire  County Council being minded to grant planning permission for the proposal, the County Council be requested to allow the Borough Council the opportunity to voice its objections before the application is determined.

Report of the Head of Planning Services (enclosed)

The Head of Planning Services submitted reports on a number of planning applications to be determined by the Committee.

RESOLVED - That the planning applications, as now submitted, be determined in accordance with the Committee’s decisions as recorded below:

Application No:                        05/00344/FULMAJ

Proposal:Development of 164 residential dwellings, including landscaping, access off Froom Street, and highway improvements to Froom Street/Eaves Lane.

Location:Talbot Mill, Froom Street, Chorley

Decision

It was moved by Councillor Brown, seconded by the Vice-Chairman (Councillor Parr), and subsequently RESOLVED (21:0)that permission be refused for the following reasons:

1. The proposal would contribute to an oversupply of housing in the Borough contrary to the provisions of Policy 12 of the Adopted Joint Lancashire Structure Plan.

2. The proposal is contrary to Policy HS5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review in that it does not make adequate provision for affordable housing.

3. There is still potential for protected species to be affected by the proposed development and insufficient information to confirm the potential impacts or any mitigation needed.  The landscaping proposals do not confirm that targets specified in UK and Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plans will be complied with.  The development is therefore contrary to Policies EP4 and EP10 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review and Policy ER5 of the North West Regional Planning Guidance/Regional Spatial Strategy.

Application No:                        05/00335/FUL

Proposal:Proposed horse breeding facilities, livery stables, ancillary accommodation and alterations to access.

Location:Land adjacent to Heapey Road, Heys Farm, Chapel Lane, Heapey.

Decision:

It was moved by Councillor Heaton, seconded by the Vice-Chairman (Councillor Parr), and subsequently RESOLVED (21:0) that permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1. - Landscaping Scheme

2. - Landscaping Implementation

3. The development hereby permitted shall not commence until samples of all external facing materials to the proposed building(s) (notwithstanding any details shown on previously submitted plan(s) and specification) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall only be carried out using the approved external facing materials.

Reason: To ensure that the materials used are visually appropriate to the locality and in accordance with Policy No. GN5 of the Adopted Chorley Borough Local Plan Review.

4. No external lighting or floodlighting shall be erected or installed without express planning permission first being obtained from the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of the visual amenity of the area and to ensure compliance with policy GN5 of the Local Plan.

5. Plans and particulars showing a scheme of foul sewers and surface water drains, shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning

Authority, and development shall not be commenced before these details have been approved, unless otherwise agreed in writing.  Such works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details concurrently with the rest of the development and in any event shall be finished before the building is occupied.

Reason: In order that the Council may be satisfied with the details of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Report of Head of Planning Services (to follow)

The Head of Planning Services presented a report which explained the relevant policy issues and pertinent factors that had been assessed, together with the reasons for the permission granted to Planning Application 04/1405 by the Officer under his delegated powers.  The proposal had involved the demolition of an existing dwelling and two storage buildings at Salt Pit Farm, Salt Pit Lane, Mawdesley and the erection of a new larger dwelling on the site of the storage buildings.

A number of Members expressed concern at the scale of the development, which they contended did not accord with accepted policies.

The Head of Planning Services apologised for the manner in which the application had been processed without Member consultation.  The Committee were assured, however, that procedures and practices had since been put in place which should ensure Member input into any future contentious or sensitive development proposals.

RESOLVED - That the reports be noted.

Report of Head of Planning Services (enclosed)

The Committee received, for information, reports by the Head of Planning Services on the following former category ‘B’ development proposals which had, or were intended to be, determined by the Chief Officer under the adopted scheme of delegations, following consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Application No:                        05/00770/FUL

Proposal:Redevelopment of existing forecourt, including replacement of petrol storage tanks, four pumps and extended canopy, re-sited jet wash with glass screens, alterations to existing sales/workshop building to create larger shop, office and store.

Location:Jubilee Service Station, 65 Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods.

Decision:Conditional Permission.

Application No:05/00443/REM

Proposal:Reserved Matters application for a detached house and garage.

Location:Land to the rear of 209 - 213 Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods.

Decision:Conditional Approval.

Application No:05/00444/ADV

Proposal:Erection of an internally illuminated free standing pole sign.

Location:M6 Motorway Service Area, Northbound, Mill Lane, Charnock Richard.

Decision:Conditional permission.

Application No:05/00445/ADV

Proposal:Erection of an internally illuminated free standing pole sign.

Location:M6 Motorway Service Area, Southbound, Mill Lane, Charnock Richard.

Decision:Conditional Permission.

Application No:05/00461/TPO

Proposal:Works to three trees covered by TPO No. 10 (Chorley) 1998.

Location:14 Rosewood Close, Chorley.

Decision:            Conditional Consent.

Application No:                        05/00490/TEL

ProposalPrior notification of siting of telecommunications equipment consisting of 10 metre replica telegraph pole, two antennas and two radio equipment housings.

Location:                        Bretters Farm, off Chorley Road, Heath Charnock.

Decision:                        Prior approval not required – Telecom

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

A list of planning applications determined by the Chief Officer under delegated powers between 12 May and 15 June 2005 is enclosed.

The Head of Planning Services presented, for Members’ information, a schedule listing the remainder of the planning applications which had been determined by the Chief Officer under his delegated powers between 12 May and 15 June 2005

RESOLVED - That the schedule be noted.

The Head of Planning Services advised the Committee of an invitation being issued to Members to attend an organised tour of Buckshaw Village, Euxton on 13 July 2005, as an opportunity for Councillors to inspect the progress of development within the complex.